Pete Way rules himself out of UFO’s 50th anniversary tour plans

Former UFO bassist Pete Way has issued a statement to confirm that he won’t be taking part in the band’s 50th anniversary shows in 2019.

Last week, guitarist Michael Schenker ruled himself out of a possible guest appearance on the run (opens in new tab), telling Classic Rock: “Bands like UFO and the Scorpions are trying to fool the audience, and I’m not a part of that world. It’s becoming a trend to make a big deal about playing last shows, and those bands do it because they can’t get anywhere in a normal way.”

He added: “For me, UFO only exists with the original five members, plus producer Ron Nevison. Phil Mogg calls his current band UFO, but it isn’t UFO.”

And in light of Schenker's comments, Way – who left the band in 2008 – has also moved to distance himself from next year’s tour.

Way says in a statement: “After the publicity which is currently surrounding Michael Schenker’s announcement that he most definitely will not be joining in with UFO’s advertised outing, I would like to make sure that nobody is under the illusion that I will be appearing. 

“It is not made clear in the advertising. I will be touring with my new band – Paul Chapman will not be on guitar sadly but it was a pleasure to see him again. 

“I wish UFO all the luck in the world and I am sure fans would like to see the original lineup but for me, I can only say RIP UFO.”

Earlier this year, Way released his autobiography A Fast Ride Out Of Here: Confessions Of Rock’s Most Dangerous Man (opens in new tab).

UFO’s Last Orders - 50th anniversary tour will kick off at The Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh, on March 29 and conclude with a set at London’s O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on April 4.

Frontman Mogg – the band's only ever-present member – previously announced his decision to retire from UFO (opens in new tab) and will bow out following next year's tour.

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers and magazines as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. After initially joining our news desk in the summer of 2014, he moved to the e-commerce team full-time in 2020. He maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott grew up listening to rock and prog, cutting his teeth on bands such as Marillion and Magnum before his focus shifted to alternative and post-punk in the late 80s. His favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Ned's Atomic Dustbin and Drab Majesty, but he also still has a deep love of Rush.