Source: https://www.facebook.com/paulraymondproject/
Paul Raymond, keyboardist and guitarist for hard rock legends UFO, has died. The news broke on the musician’s passing on Saturday morning (13th) as Raymond died from a heart attack. He was 73.
Raymond’s life partner Sandra announced his passing in a message on the Paul Raymond Project Facebook page, saying:
“With a desperate and broken heart, fully in tears and pains that feel like they will kill me I have to tell you that my most beautiful and beloved darling Paul Raymond has passed away today.” She continued, “The doctors were trying to reanimate him and with success at first but then his system shot down again and there was nothing more they could do for him, he died of a heart attack.”
“I will always love him and I hope he will rest in peace until I’ll see him again on the other side!!!” Sandra closes her post. “I love you so much Paul.”
Starting his musical career in 1964 as a jazz musician, Raymond had worked with blues bands such as Chicken Shack and Savoy Brown before getting his big gig with UFO in 1976. He played with UFO on and off for the better part of the next four decades and consistently from 2003 until his death, releasing 12 studio albums with the band. Raymond had also played in UFO offshoots Michael Schenker Group (with guitarist Michael Schenker) and Waysted (with bassist Pete Way), as well as his own solo project, The Paul Raymond Project.
Over the last few months, UFO has been celebrating their 50th anniversary on tour in the UK. The last date of the tour was April 5 in London. The photo accompanying the Facebook post was taken following that show as the band was leaving their hotel. A set of US dates was recently announced for October and November.
UFO did not make a unique statement on Raymond’s passing, instead choosing to repost Sandra’s statement, prefacing it
“Today we are too shell-shocked to write anything other than to share Sandra’s post.”
Former band members Schenker and Way also released statements. Said Way in a blog post:
“I’ve just heard the sad news of Paul Raymond’s passing. I won’t pretend that we were always the best of friends but I am completely shattered to hear this. My sincere condolences go out to his family, particularly Sandra. I’m gonna miss you mate! Sleep tight.”
Schenker wrote on his Facebook page:
“It is unbelievable. Paul Raymond was a great musician and loved rock and roll. My condolences to his loved ones. Rest in peace, my friend.”
Raymond had been excited to be on the road and had no plans to stop at the time of his death. In February, he released a new Paul Raymond Project album, ‘High Definition.’ In January, he thanked his fans for his five decades in music, saying
“Thanks to all the fans for their continued support – I hope I have many years in front of me to carry on making and sharing my music.”
