WE ARE MOTORHEAD
HISTORY |
| The band MOTORHEAD was originally formed in 1975 with
bassist Ian Lemmy Kilmister at its center, who had been discharged from HAWKWIND and was 30 years at the time. Joining him was guitarist Larry Wallis, formerly of UFO and PINK FAIRIES, and drummer Lucas Fox. Following recording of "ON PAROLE" in 1976, drummer Lucas left the band, which immediately found a replacement in Phil "Animal" Taylor. With the exception of "LOST JOHNNY," all composition on "ON PAROLE" was rerecorded by Taylor -- however, the album did not see release until three years later. Furthermore, due to the extensive overdubbing on the album, it was determined by Wallis that the sound could not be reproduced with just a single guitar, which lead to the addition of an additional guitarist to the group -- Eddy "Fast" Clark, formerly of the band ZEUS. However, following just a single day's rehearsal, Wallis disappeared, and MOTORHEAD subsequently became a trio consisting of Lemmy, Eddy and Phil. After reestablishing themselves in Chiswick, the band completed the self-entitled album "MOTORHEAD" in 1977, which propelled them into their "Golden Age." The follow-up "ACE OF SPADES" in 1980 achieved significant popularity, and was honored with the award of Best Band and Best Album of 1980 within the pages of England's Sounds magazine. Furthermore, the band's live album "NO SLEEP 'TILL HAMMERSMITH" became the U.K.'s best-selling album when it was released in 1981. However, MOTORHEAD's Golden Age would come to an end. The issue of Lemmy's proposed recording with Wendy of the PLASMATICS was something that Eddy did not favor, and he would go to express his dissatisfaction with the band in an intense manner. Despite the band's being scheduled to play in Japan, Eddy left MOTORHEAD right before they came here, and Brian Robertson, formerly of THIN LIZZY and WILD HORSES, played in his place during that live that was held on June 1982. Robertson went on to be a regular member of the band, and the album "ANOTHER PERFECT DAY" was released to the public not long after. However, Robertson's style could not find a harmony with that of the band, leading to his leaving of MOTORHEAD relatively early. With that, MOTORHEAD went on to add three new members: guitarist Phil Campbell, formerly of PERSIAN RISK, guitarist Wurzel, and drummer Pete Frank Gill, formerly of SAXON. The band then released their next album, "ORGASMATRON," to the public. This ambitious album had Bill Russwell at the production helm but there were accounts of Lemmy's fits of anger regarding how Bill put the album together. Subsequently, Pete had left the band, with Phil making a return. This ended up in the release of the album "ROCK 'N' ROLL" and the band's second live performance in Japan. The members at this time went on to also release the album "1916," but Phil left the band one more time. This time, Mickey Dee, a former member of KING DIAMOND, DON DOKKENN & WORLD WAR II, replaced Phil. It was rumored that Dee had originally been asked to replace Phil when Phil left the first time. The band then released "MARCH OR DIE," "BASTARDS," and "SACRIFICE" with these members, but Wurzel ended up leaving the band, which made MOTORHEAD a trio once more. However, following Wurzel's departure, MOTORHEAD for better or worse has stabilized internally, and performed another live in Japan at the close of 2002. Despite being in his mid-50's, Lemmy showed his Japanese fans that he is on top of his game. |
HISTRY 2 |
1975-1976
1976-1976
1976-1976(several days?)
1976-1982
1982-1983
1984-1987
1987-1992
1992-1996
1996-
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