Pete Way, bassist and co-founder of UFO has died at 69
Pete Way, best known as the bassist and co-founder of UFO has died at the age of 69.
News of Way’s death was reported on Saturday (14 August) through a press release on his official Facebook page, which wrote: “Iconic bass player Pete Way founder of UFO, Waysted and, latterly, The Pete Way Band has died.”
“He sustained life threatening injuries in an accident two months ago but fought hard until finally succumbing to those injuries at 11.35am BST today. His wife, Jenny, was at his side.”
TIME: 16:34 BSTDATE: FRIDAY 14TH AUGUST 2020PRESS RELEASEIconic bass player Pete Way founder of UFO, Waysted and,…
Posted by Pete Way Official on Friday, August 14, 2020
Way co-founded UFO (at the time known as Hocus Pocus) in 1968 alongside high school friends Phil Mogg, Andy Parker and Mick Bolton. Guitarist Michael Shenker joined the group in 1974 after leaving Scorpions for the first time.
UFO are credited as one of the bands that bridged the gap between early hard rock and the subsequent new wave of British heavy metal. Bands such as Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Motörhead, Saxon and even Rage Against The Machine have cited the group as an influence.
Way’s contributions to UFO span the band’s releases from 1970’s UFO 1 to 1982’s Mechanix, and 1992’s High Stakes & Dangerous Men to 2006’s The Monkey Puzzle.
Way was also a founding member of the hard rock groups Waysted and Fastway, releasing 15 studio albums across both groups.
Way recently completed a solo album, Walking on the Edge, produced by Guns N’ Roses producer Mike Clink. According to his website, the album will present “fresh material bearing all the trademarks of the melodic, memorable style for which he is known.”
Over the last decade, Way had battled a number of health conditions, including prostate cancer in 2013, and a heart attack in 2016. Said Way in an interview after his heart attack with Louder at the time: “Look, I have no regrets. I can’t have any regrets . I’ve had a brilliant life. I wouldn’t want to change a thing.”
On social media, artists spanning all corners of heavy metal have paid tributes to Way, including former bandmate Michael Schenker (below), Kirk Hammett of Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath and David Ellefson of Megadeth.
“Oh my Dear PeteI am so sadYour sweet existence has left us. I am in tears. You were more than you maybe knew.You were loved by everyone I know.I love you Pete.God Bless You Forever.My condolences to your loved ones.From the depth of my heart.
“Fly away and enjoy Heaven” pic.twitter.com/HYpeOUe4oB
— Michael Schenker (@MW_Schenker) August 14, 2020
Pete Way is survived by two daughters, Zowie and Charlotte and a younger brother, Neill.
UFO guitarist Paul Chapman also died this year on 9 June – his 66th birthday.
For more music news, click here.
The post Pete Way, bassist and co-founder of UFO has died at 69 appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.
Source: www.guitar-bass.net
