Over the years, there’s been a subtly intriguing connection between Musicians and UFOS – 20 close encounters with flying saucers have been reported in the public eye.
From eerie late-night sightings to actual song inspirations, the otherworldly phenomena have left a certain cosmic imprint on the world of music.
The curious interweaving of extra-terrestrial mysteries and creative melodic expressions certainly offers an engaging look into the experiences shared by musicians.
Musical luminaries from Elvis Presley to John Lennon have made headlines not just for their melodious prowess but also for their potentially out-of-this-world encounters.
Looking beyond simple starstruck admiration, these tales dive deeper into personal experiences that are both amusing and a touch unsettling.
Here are 20 instances where musicians’ stories skipped past the stage lights and flew straight into the unknown astronomical skies.
Musicians And Ufos – 20 Close Encounters With Flying Saucers
The enigmatic connection between music and otherworldly phenomena has always been a source of fascination, mystery, and intrigue.
Given the unfathomable depths of the universe we inhabit, it’s not surprising that some musicians claim to have had exceptional experiences with unidentified flying objects.
Here, let’s delve into two such stories from our list.
Sun Ra
Sun Ra, born Herman Poole Blount, was a prolific jazz composer, band leader, and pianist whose music often merged elements of hard bop and free jazz.
But beyond his professional accomplishments, Sun Ra was known for an deeply intriguing belief: that he hailed from Saturn.
Born in 1914, Ra claimed in his adult life that he had a life-changing encounter when he was only six years old.
This extraordinary experience involved being teleported to Saturn where he said he was instructed to speak through his music — to ‘drop darkness’ on earth.
He ardently maintained throughout his life that this spiritual experience wasn’t merely a dream or hallucination but a real encounter with beings from outer space.
Sun Ra’s ‘encounter’ would go on to shape not only his name (changed from Blount in the 1950s), but also the exotic mystique that enveloped both his persona and musical style.
Ace Frehley
A former lead guitarist for KISS, Paul Daniel “Ace” Frehley is no stranger to outrageous stage antics and larger-than-life persona on stage.
Beyond these theatrics however lies one aspect of Ace’s personal life that fans might find both amusing and exciting: his intricate personal encounters with extraterrestrial phenomena.
In several interviews, Frehley has passionately talked about his multiple encounters with UFOs.
He recounts observing various flying objects approximately five times throughout his lifetime; these sightings have left him convinced about the reality of alien life.
His belief was so strong that he incorporated it into his work. Ace’s album cover artwork for “Space Invader” is evidence of that, vividly featuring an image of an alien spacecraft.
Frehley’s UFO experiences certainly did more than inspire his music; it created a bridge between the world of rock and roll and the vast cosmos beyond.
Whether viewed with amusement or earnest belief, these fascinating stories held by musicians add an intriguing layer to their musical personas and legacies in a cosmic twist to the rock and roll narrative.
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Sammy Hagar
Illuminating the vibrant pulse of rock music, Sammy Hagar is a well-known name in the industry.
Hagar was the lead vocalist for the iconic band, Van Halen, before he embarked on his successful solo career.
Outside his illustrious musical career, Hagar has claimed to have an extraordinary experience — a close encounter with a UFO.
This unexpected revelation surfaced in his autobiography titled “Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock.”
According to Hagar, he had a telepathic communication with extraterrestrial entities who supposedly tapped into his mind and spirit.
Although this incident was initially interpreted as a dream, Hagar insists it was more than a figment of imagination, asserting that it’s almost like downloading from the Internet into your brain.
Ryan Adams
Boasting a career that spans genres and defies categorization, Ryan Adams is an acclaimed singer-songwriter known for hits like “New York” and “To Be Young”.
This Grammy-nominated artist also nursed a deep fascination for UFOs, which transitioned from interest to personal encounters when Adams claimed to sight an unidentified flying object.
In 2014, Adams tweeted about spotting a UFO in California. He detailed the UFO as being large and round.
While skeptics brushed off his sighting as misidentified aircraft or astronomical phenomena like meteor showers, Adams insisted otherwise, maintaining that he had indeed witnessed something out of the ordinary skies.
Reg Presley
Lead vocalist of The Troggs, who were renowned for their 1966 cover of ‘Wild Thing,’ Reg Presley, is another musician profoundly affected by celestial occurrences.
An advocate for crop circles and alien life disclosure movement, Presley firmly believed that we are not alone in this vast universe.
Presley’s book entitled “Wild Things They Don’t Tell Us” delves into his experiences and beliefs about UFOs.
He explored various supernatural phenomena and used the proceeds from a cover of his song “Love is All Around” to fund research into such mysterious happenings.
Black Francis
Known for fronting the influential alternative rock band Pixies, Black Francis, otherwise known as Charles Thompson IV, also narrates tales of his fascination with the otherworldly phenomena.
One of their distinctly captivating tracks, titled “Motorway to Roswell“, was inspired by the reputed 1947 Roswell UFO incident.
While Black Francis’s encounter wasn’t personal as in the case of Hagar or Adams, he did possess a keen interest in ufology which often found its way into the Pixies’ lyrics.
Songs like The Happening discuss UFO sightings and echo an extraterrestrial curiosity that runs throughout much of their music, proving that their music indeed had close encounters with flying saucers!
Keith Richards
Dubbed as the “human riff”, Keith Richards is a striking figure in the world of rock music.
This unorthodox guitar maestro from The Rolling Stones is not only popular for his outlandish tales of drug addiction and rapturous living, but also his tale about an ostensibly extra-terrestrial encounter.
In a 1998 Rolling Stone interview, Richards confessed to having spotted a ‘flying saucer’ during an extensive drive with John Lennon.
While Lennon initially debunked this sighting as nothing more than an illusion due to ‘the drugs they were on’, it was later validated by another individual who sighted a similar object from a different location.
Somehow, this bizarre incident didn’t leave a lasting impact on Richards’ avowedly stoic persona.
Lemmy Kilmister
Lemmy Kilmister, frontman of Motorhead, was one of rock’s ultimate rogues – toughened by life’s hard knocks and undeniably bad habits that failed to impede his successes in forging a stellar music career.
One happening uncharacteristically staying under the radar is Lemmy’s close proximity with a UFO.
Lemmy disclosed in an interview once about his experience with observing something very unusual over the horizon which he could not explain logically.
A bright unidentified flying object hovering in the sky left him mysteriously shaken yet utterly fascinated.
Kesha
For Kesha Rose Sebert, better known as Kesha, life took an unexpected turn when she released her third studio album: Rainbow.
She claimed that her new avatar was inspired directly by ‘several spiritual experiences’, including encounters with UFOs.
In an interview, she vaguely mentioned observing several spaceships and even uploaded several photos and videos on her social media handles to document these sightings.
Kesha expressed that these experiences presented her with a new perspective, allowing her to get in touch with her spiritual truth, which inevitably revealed itself in her music.
Lupe Fiasco
Another artist entwining aliens into his musical ethos is Lupe Fiasco, one of the most articulate rappers of the hip-hop scene.
When he was just 11, he described what could only be rationalized as contact with an extraterrestrial form.
In his recounted story, an electrical attempt at communication occurred between him and the severely vivid, jellyfish-like entity, maneuvering towards him.
This pivotal episode inspired Fiasco’s musical explorations elevating the extraterrestrial influence within his work.
While these stories might raise eyebrows or result in skeptical expressions for some, they undeniably lend a peculiar edge to these artists’ work.
Almost as if they’re pulling inspiration from other realms, their music thus becomes a conduit – merging our world with one that lies beyond comprehension.
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Tom DeLonge
Tom DeLonge is an enigmatic figure, renowned not only for his prominence as a guitar-great in the world of punk rock – remember his immense work with seminal bands Blink-182 and Angels & Airwaves, but also for his fierce dedication to researching UFOs.
In 2017, DeLonge founded the To The Stars Academy of Arts & Sciences, an organization devoted to studying and promoting extraterrestrial life and unidentified aerial phenomena.
Not merely dabbling in the subject, DeLonge’s commitment has won him significant recognition.
In 2020, he was recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense as instrumental in releasing declassified US Navy footage proving the existence of ‘Unidentified Aerial Phenomena’.
Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix, renowned for integrating diverse musical styles into rock music was allegedly captivated by extraterrestrial activity.
While Hendrix never claimed to have witnessed a UFO firsthand, some anecdotes suggest that he had an innate curiosity about life beyond our planet.
One widely circulated theory presumes that Hendrix believed himself to be from Mars. He would often discuss such subjects with friends and fellow musicians alike, who noted Jimi’s interest went beyond mere passing fancy.
His UFO fascination even translated into his music – songs like “Third Stone from the Sun” contain clear references to space and alien beings.
Robbie Williams
From his early days with Take That to a successful solo career spanning three decades, Robbie Williams is one of UK pop music’s most recognizable faces.
Beyond music charts though, Williams made headlines in 2008 when he disclosed having seen three flying saucers.
He described this alien encounter as a ‘profound’ experience that led him down the path of being a “UFO nut”.
Since this incident he’s reportedly seen UFOs numerous times again, and even went so far as to temporarily trade his music career for full-time UFO hunting in 2006.
John Lennon
One of the most revered musicians of all time, John Lennon, best known for his work with The Beatles had much more than just music on his mind.
His UFO encounter took place in 1974 when Lennon was living in New York City.
Lennon claimed to have seen a “circular object, flashing lights” from the window of his apartment one twilight evening.
He even stepped onto the balcony with friend, May Pang, who confirmed seeing it as well.
This sighting profoundly affected him – so much that it was referenced on the cover sleeve of his 1974 album “Walls and Bridges”; a doodle showcasing their saucer-shaped visitor can be found inside the album sleeve.
Kurt Cobain
The frontman of the influential grunge band Nirvana, Kurt Cobain was renowned for his raw, angst-filled lyrics and distinctive singing voice.
An instrumentalist, songwriter and visual artist, Cobain became an icon of the ’90s and continues to influence modern rock music.
Cobain’s interest in UFOs reportedly stemmed from personal encounters.
He was said to have experienced alien abductions which, according to biographer Charles R. Cross’ book Heavier Than Heaven, deeply shaped his artistic vision.
Such experiences weren’t uncommon in the rock scene of that era but they certainly added a more profound and mysterious dimension to Cobain’s public image.
Despite the tragic outcome of his life, Cobain remains a pivotal figure who fused elements of rock music with extraordinary personal experiences.
Elvis Presley
Long hailed as “The King of Rock n’ roll”, Elvis Presley was an entity larger than life itself – musically iconic, flamboyantly stylish and endlessly charismatic.
From Love Me Tender to Suspicious Minds, Presley captivated audiences with his baritone voice layered over rhythm and blues-influenced rock music.
An often overlooked aspect of Elvis’ life is that he reportedly saw UFOs—twice.
According to Elvis: A Spiritual Journey by Mick Farren, a young Presley and mother Gladys saw strange blue lights moving erratically in the night sky over their Tupelo home on the day Elvis was born – setting a cosmic preface fit for music royalty.
Years later during an American tour, Elvis glanced out his limousine window only to spot several star-like objects in broad daylight! These sightings added an extra layer to Elvis’ already enigmatic persona.
Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger — lead vocalist of The Rolling Stones; swaggering stage presence personified — has also had a personal encounter.
According to former girlfriend Marianne Faithfull, Jagger spotted a rare, cigar-shaped UFO hovering over a campsite during the infamous Glastonbury music festival in 1968.
Being more than just amazed at this unexpected spectacle, Jagger installed a UFO detector at his rural British estate as per reports noted in Prince Rupert Loewenstein’s memoir A Prince Among Stones.
Despite its eventual malfunction due to an electric storm, the addition of such a device was proof enough that his brief celestial interaction made a sizable impact on him.
Joe Walsh
Joe Walsh, sometime lead guitarist for The Eagles and successful solo artist was known not only for his lively music but also for his robust interest in amateur (Ham) radio and shortwave listening.
These interests reportedly led Walsh to witness what he believed were UFOs.
While Walsh’s experiences weren’t as widely publicized as those of other celebrities on this list, they offer an engaging view into how UFO encounters can subtly intertwine with musicians’ lives and creative processes.
More than just simple tales of intrigue and fascination, these accounts shed light on the deep creative wells from which artists often draw their inspiration.
Tom Petty
American musician Thomas Earl Petty was a melting pot of artistic versatility – an admired singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer.
Born in Gainesville, Florida, on October 20, 1950, his exposure to music began at age 10, ignited upon meeting Elvis Presley.
Petty’s illustrious career bore fruit as he fronted the legendary rock band “Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.”
Known for their fusion of rock, classic, and heartland vibes, hits like ‘Free Fallin” and ‘American Girl’ are renowned anthems even today.
In a 2014 interview on Sirius XM satellite radio’s “Tom Petty Radio”, Petty confessed to experiencing unexplained phenomena during recording sessions. Strangely enough, the building they worked in was rumored to be haunted.
His night alone at this location led to what he described as encounters with “messenger orbs.” Till his demise in 2017, Tom remained fascinated by these occurrences.
Peter Frampton
Hailing from English soil on April 22nd, 1950 is singer-songwriter Peter Kenneth Frampton. Known best for his live album “Frampton Comes Alive!” – considered one of the best-selling live albums in the United States.
Beyond his celebrated musical journey though is a lesser-known story of cosmic contact.
In an interview with Howard Stern Show, Frampton recalled an unforgotten encounter with a UFO alongside ex-wife Barbara Gold. Gold even sketched this ‘neon green and purple spacecraft’.
Despite lack of official documentation or evidence about this experience, Frampton is resolved confidently about his encounter with what seemed nothing short of a hovering UFO.
From songs that touch hearts to tales that span galaxies; these accounts echo an uncanny coupling between musical creativity and the infinite cosmos.
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FAQs About Musicians and Ufos
Have famous musicians ever claimed to see UFOs?
Numerous famous musicians like John Lennon, Elvis Presley, and Sun Ra have reported encounters with unidentified flying objects.
Did these UFO sightings influence their music?
Absolutely! Some artists like Sun Ra and Ace Frehley have explicitly drawn inspiration from their UFO encounters, incorporating these extraordinary experiences into their work.
How often have musicians reportedly encountered UFOs?
The frequency of such incidents varies. Some musicians report seeing UFOs only once while others, like Ace Frehley, claim to have had multiple sightings.
Who was the musician who believed he was from Saturn?
Jazz musician Sun Ra firmly believed that he was from Saturn due an encounter with beings during his childhood.
Which famous musician made artwork of a UFO for an album cover?
Ace Frehley of KISS fame featured artwork of an alien spacecraft on the cover of his album “Space Invader”.
Conclusion
As we unravel these stories, one thing becomes clear – the interconnection between Musicians and UFOs is more than mere coincidence.
It stretches beyond earthly realms, influencing both their art and personal beliefs. It’s a testament to limitless imagination, fostering creativity that truly resonates with people worldwide.
This cosmic narrative adds an unexpected yet delightful dimension to popular music culture, suggesting that inspiration could be found even in the most improbable circumstances – sometimes even from a galaxy far, far away.
In exploring these celestial mysteries, we discover more about our beloved musicians and perhaps even ourselves.
