Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider once referred to Pete
Way as a "rock 'n' roll version of Dudley Moore's 'Arthur'.” The reference to Dudley Moore’s perpetually
soused but lovable millionaire character in the 1981 movie is certainly
understandable. Way, UFO's former bassist, certainly imbibed more than his share of alcohol back in the day, and he's a personable and easy-going guy, but.. rich? - well, maybe - til he spent all the money
on drugs.
Way’s autobiography A
Fast Ride Out of Here: Confessions of Rock’s Most Dangerous Man, co-written
with Paul Rees, certainly has all the alcohol, drugs and sex you’d expect from a
rock star bio, but without the artifice or self-importance. It has dissenting
opinions from cohorts including Michael Schenker, Joe Elliot, Ross Halfin, Geddy
Lee and Way’s brother, Neill.
Unlike many English rockers born in the middle of the 20th
Century, Way actually had a fairly pleasant childhood. He did well on his
exams, but once the late‘60s rolled around, drugs, were everywhere. (He first
used heroin at 13, a few years before getting into music.)
Pete met Phil Mogg at 16, and they started the band that eventually
became the blues-based version of UFO. Once guitarist Michael Schenker joined,
the band developed a harder rock sound and broke into the American market.
Way had a manic onstage persona during his UFO heyday, and
would zip back and forth with his bass like a true showman. It’s no surprise
that he influenced Nikki Sixx and Ironmaiden’s Steve Harris.
A Fast Ride Out of Here is sprinkled with anecdotes about
life on the road. Tales of hot and cold running drugs, alcohol, groupies and in-fighting
(mainly guitarist vs. singer) abound.
Another anecdote from the UFO days - Pete appeared on the
rock ‘n’ roll edition of the TV game show “Hollywood Squares” in 1979 with Todd
Rundgren, Chaka Khan and other music stars of the time. He was billed as “Mr.
UFO.”
Schenker bailed after the breakthrough Strangers in the Night live album was released. Eventually, Way
left to start a new band, Fastway, but never played in the band due to
contractual obligations with Chrysalis.
Way formed another band, Waysted, in 1983. Ex-UFO bandmates
Paul Chapman and Paul Raymond made brief appearances with the band, and Way worked
with Schenker on a few projects in the '00s. Like a codependent couple, Way reunited with
singer Phil Mogg in UFO many times (and as Mogg/Way in the late ‘90s). The last
split, in 2007, appears to be permanent.
Pete traveled with Ozzy when Waysted toured with him, and joined
him in search of “waffle dust”, among other adventures. That’s just one sample
of the hilarity that ensued on that tour. Way was also a friend of Bon Scott,
and hung out with him a just a little over a week before he died.
Joe Elliot’s dry comments counter a few of Pete’s claims, in
a friendly way. Photographer Ross Halfin calls UFO “the great lost British rock
band” and Michael Schenker comments on his on-again, off again musical
partnerships with Way.
Way’s substance abuse also contributed to problems in his
personal life. Two wives died of drug overdoses, and he was estranged from his
daughters, Charlotte and Zowie, for years. The chapter about his time in Columbus , Ohio
At 66, Way has beat heroin, prostate cancer and a heart attack. He’s been working on a solo album, "Walking on the Edge", with producer Mike
Clink, between health crises.
A Fast Ride Out of
Here will have you laughing one minute, and shaking your head in disbelief
the next. Way comes off as such an endearing character, you’ll genuinely like
the guy, regardless of his foibles. Funny, heartbreaking and honest, any fan of
classic rock or metal will enjoy this book.
