Here are some interesting facts about Pete Way co-founder and original bassist of the rock band "UFO":
(Photo: Gus Stewart)
= He was born on August 7, 1950 in Enfield, London, England. His birth name was Peter Frederick Way.
= He began playing bass guitar in several local bands with high school friends, including guitarist Mick Bolton.
= After high school, Way left home at 17 and worked at a maritime insurance company and as a civil servant in the Ministry of Defence.
= In 1968 he co-founded "UFO" with Phil Mogg, Andy Parker, and Mick Bolton.
= The band was initially named "The Boyfriends", then after Phil Mogg joined changed its name to "Hocus Pocus" before settling on "UFO".
= In 1971 "UFO" released their debut album "UFO 1". Initially, the band was defined under the genre of Space Rock and Boogie, but later the style changed to Hard Rock and Heavy Metal.
In 1973 Michael Schenker joined "UFO" as the lead guitarist. Immediately upon Michael Schenker's entry to "UFO" the band started to change its style and sound to a more hard rock-oriented sound.
= In 1975 "UFO" Released "Force It", one of it’s successful albums featuring Schenker.
= In 1976 "UFO" released the classic album "No Heavy Petting" - their first record as a five-piece band with keyboardist Danny Peyronel.
= In 1977 "UFO's" breakthrough album, "Lights Out", was released. "Kerrang!" magazine listed the album at No. 28 among the "100 Greatest Heavy Metal Albums of All Time".
= In 1978 they Released "Obsession", another successful album. It was the final studio album to feature Michael Schenker on lead guitar until he returned to the band in 1993
= In 1979 "UFO" released the live album "Strangers in the Night", considered one of the greatest live rock albums of all times.
= During "UFO's" heyday, Pete Way used a Fender Precision bass and was known for his trademark striped trousers, which significantly influenced the stage appearance of "Iron Maiden's" Steve Harris.
= In 1982 Way left "UFO" due to dissatisfaction with the band's more commercial direction..
= The same year he formed "Fastway" with former "Motörhead" guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clarke.
= Way left "Fastway" immediately after due to contractual issues, and joined Ozzy Osbourne for the "Diary of a Madman" tour.
= In 1983 he founded "Waysted" with Fin Muir, Paul Raymond, Frank Noon, and Ronnie Kayfield. They released their debut album "Vices" the same year.
= In 1985 he released "Save Your Prayers" with "Waysted", featuring "Tyketto" vocalist Danny Vaughn.
= Way will release 6 more albums with "Waysted" until 2007.
= Way rejoined "UFO" full-time in 1991, recording six more albums with the band over the next 17 years.
= He released 3 albums as a solo artist, the first was "Amphetamine", released in 2000.
= In 2003 he released the album "The Plot" under the name "The Plot". It featured Michael Schenker on guitar.
= He was a guest in two Michael Schenker albums "Tales of Rock'n'Roll" in 2006 and "Temple of Rock" in 2011.
= In 2004 he released another "Waysted" album, "Back from the Dead".
= In 2007 he released two albums under the "Damage Control" project.
= Way left "UFO" in 2008 due to health issues.
= In 2010 he published his autobiography "A Fast Ride Out of Here: Confessions of Rock's Most = Dangerous Man".
= In 2013 Way was Diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent intense radiotherapy.
= His health issues continued when in 2016 he suffered a heart attack, his third overall.
= In 2018 Way formed the "Pete Way Band" with Kamil Woj and Jason Poole, later replaced by Tym Scopes and Clive Edwards.
= In 2020 he recorded guest bass on the "Warfare" song "Misanthropy" with Evo and "Fast" Eddie Clarke.
= On August 14, 2020 Way passed away at the age of 70 from injuries sustained in an accident two months earlier, where he fell down stairs at his home.
= He passed away ten weeks after former "UFO" bandmate Paul Chapman and a year after Paul Raymond, leaving Phil Mogg and Andy Parker as the only surviving members of the "No Place to Run" lineup.
= Way had been married six times.
= He Influenced prominent musicians such as "Iron Maiden’s" Steve Harris, "Mötley Crüe’s" Nikki Sixx, and "Rage Against the Machine" guitarist Tom Morello, all of whom credited Pete Way as a major inspiration.
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