On this day, 9 June 2020, Welsh rock guitarist Paul “Tonka” Chapman died on his 66th birthday.
Best known for his work with UFO and Lone Star, he was nicknamed ‘Tonka’ after the resilient children’s toy truck in honour of his alleged indestructability, Paul Chapman was born in Cardiff on 9th June 1954.
He joined the Irish Skid Row in December 1971 replacing a certain Gary Moore as guitarist, but only remained with the band for eight months before playing with Kimla Taz until 1974.
Chapman joined hard rock legends UFO as a second guitarist in late 1974 following the release of their seminal album ‘Phenomenon’ . He toured with the band but did not contribute to any recordings before he left in 1975.
Following this, he was a pivotal member of the critically lauded Welsh rock outfit Lone Star from 1975 to 1978 and contributed to both their studio albums ‘Lone Star’ and ‘Firing on All Six’. Despite their widespread plaudits – the late-great John Peel was a huge fan - they didn’t quite achieve the success many feel they deserved.
In 1977, Chapman filled in for Michael Schenker with UFO on their US tour, and he returned to the band full time in December 1978 shortly before they unleashed their defining live album ‘Strangers in the Night’, which was recorded a few months before Tonka joined.
He contributed to three studio albums with UFO - ‘The Wild, The Willing And The Innocent’ (1981), 'Mechanix' (1982) and 'Making Contact' (1983) - before the band called it a day for the first time.
Chapman also appeared in Pete Way’s band Waysted in the 1980s appearing on the albums ‘The Good The Bad The Waysted’ and ‘Save Your Prayers’.
In more recent years, Chapman formed the band PCP (Paul Chapman Project) and he was a member of the Florida Southern Rock band Gator Country from 2006 to 2010.
Lone Star guitarist Tony Smith wrote on Facebook: “Just heard that my old friend and Lone Star guitar partner Paul Tonka Chapman died yesterday on his birthday.
"He was a real rock and roller and lived life to the full. We will remember him as a brilliant Welsh guitarist and wild and funny man. Rest now my brother.”
