Legendary rock star and UFO founder, Pete Way dies aged 69. His death was announced on Facebook on Friday 14th August 2020.
In a statement posted to his official Facebook page, it was announced that Pete Way possibly died from the ‘life-threatening injuries’ he sustained in an accident earlier this summer. He died today (14 August) with his wife Jenny by his side and is survived by his two children.
The statement reads: ‘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.
Pete Way was a much loved and highly regarded figure among rock fans, critics and fellow musicians alike.
Best known for his work with UFO, Pete’s energetic live performances were at the heart of the band’s countless world tours. ‘His melodic bass lines underpinned the catalogue of enduring rock classics upon which UFO’s reputation and legacy were founded.
‘Pete is survived by two daughters, Zowie and Charlotte and his younger brother, Neill.’ UFO have sold over 20 million records worldwide, and are often hailed as one of the most influential heavy metal bands of all time, having inspired countless acts such as Metallica, Guns’N’Roses and Iron Maiden.
The group have released 22 studio albums in their time together, in Britain, they are perhaps best known for their Top 40 single Doctor Doctor and their fourth LP, Force It, which became a hit Stateside.
Way would initially leave the band in 1982 and go on to found others, namely Waysted and The Pete Way Band. The band logged two UK top 40 hits in their time together, as well as their 10th album Mechanix hitting the top 10 in the UK album charts.