UFO just hope for Pete Way’s return

Waiting in hope: Phil Mogg

UFO’s Phil Mogg hopes bassist Pete Way will return to the fold – and if he doesn’t, the frontman hopes his old friend will fight his through his health issues.

Way has been suffering from the effects of addiction issues for several years – but on the few occasions he manages to get on stage, close friends say he can still deliver the goods.

That’s enough for Mogg to keep believing. And now his band has replaced some newer faces with members of the old guard, he’s hoping that Way can return at some point.

The singer tells Relix.com: “We’re hanging on hope. I don’t know whether or not he will be able to return. I see him down the road here. There’s a small studio on the beachfront and he’s doing something with a guy from the Damned.

“But every time I say, ‘Hey, how’s Pete doing?’ I get a nonplussed reply like, ‘Well, he seems okay, blah blah blah.’

“Whether or not he rejoins the band, I’m hoping he pulls back from the abyss.”

Drummer Andy Parker rejoined the band six years ago, helping bring back their original vibe, and they’re riding high with positive reaction to latest album Seven Deadly.

Mogg says: “We’ve been together for so long, it feels comfortable knowing what drama’s going to come next. I’ve known Andy and Pete since the beginning of time, as it were, so if any drama’s going to happen, I know exactly what it’s going to be.”

And if there’s any doubt about UFO’s influence after all these years, it has to be explained by Iron Maiden’s regular live use of Doctor Doctor as their intro tape. Mogg reflects: “I think Pete’s matey-matey with Steve Harris. I think there was a slight bit of influence since we were the band that was around. It’s nice considering they’re bigger than us now – bastards!”