MOTORHEAD
HISTORY
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1975: After being fired from Hawkwind, Lemmy
Kilmister decides to form a band called Bastard. When his manager informs him
that a band by that name will never get a slot on "Top of the
Pops," he changes it to Motorhead. The lineup consists of Lemmy on bass
and vocals, Larry Wallace on guitar and Lucas Fox on drums. The band hits the
studio by the end of the year, and during the recording sessions, Lucas is
replaced by Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor.1976: Motorhead's
then-label doesn't like the recordings (the company releases them, however,
as On Parole three years later when the group starts achieving success). The
guys decide a second guitar player is in order, so they ask "Fast"
Eddie Clarke to try out. For reasons still unknown, Larry Wallace quits
during the audition. Fast Eddie stays however, thus completing the trio that
sees Motorhead through its ground-breaking early years. The band gigs,
records, and finds a new manager (or two).1977: Motorhead (Chiswick) is the
band's first album to see the light of day. The guys' fan base builds and
they start earning a reputation for being very loud, raw, dirty and all those
good things heavy rock 'n' roll should be.1978: Motorhead's manager pulls
them out of the Chiswick deal. Yet another manager gets them a contract with
Bronze Records. Before making their own album, they record a few tracks with
the Damned, including a cover of the Sweet's "Ballroom Blitz." At
the end of the year, Motorhead enters the studio with producer Jimmy Miller
(of the Stones' Exile on Main Street and Goat's Head Soup fame). Life is
looking much better.1979: The resulting album, Overkill, is an immediate
classic and hits the charts very strongly. The band tours all over England
and lands in jail after some playful destruction at a Finish festival.
Without taking a breather, Motorhead goes back into the studio with Miller,
this time producing Bomber, which charts even higher than Overkill . More
touring and insanity ensues.1980: After touring Europe and appearing on "Top
of the Pops" for the umpteenth time (maybe that manager did have a
point), the band teams up with Vic Maile for perhaps their best known studio
album, Ace of Spades . The record peaks at number 4 in the charts. The
accident-prone Philthy ends the year by breaking his neck while engaging in a
bit of horseplay with a large Irish fan.1981: While waiting for Philthy to
heal, Lemmy and Eddie team up with the members of Girlschool and producer
Maile. The result is The St. Valetines Day Massacre EP, which includes the
hit single, "Please Don't Touch." After the two groups perform on
"Top of the Pops" as Headgirl, Motorhead hits the road and makes
its first trek to the States as special guest on Ozzy Osbourne's Blizzard of
0z tour. While in the U.S., No Sleep ‘Til Hammersmith - perhaps one of the
greatest live albums ever - is released. It instantly charts in at Number
One. Motorhead are now bonafide rock stars.1982: The guys begin the year by
recording Iron Fist , which they produce themselves. The record sells well and
they return to their natural habitat - the road. There is trouble in
paradise, however, and Fast Eddie leaves the band during their second U.S.
tour, not long after Lemmy records the Tammy Wynette song, "Stand By
Your Man" with Wendy 0. Williams. To replace him, Motorhead enlists
Brian "Robbo" Robertson from Thin Lizzy. They conquer Japan and
re-conquer Europe.1983: The band records Art Another Perfect Day , their
first - and only - album with Robbo. The guitarist's strange penchant for
shorts and ballet shoes, and his refusal to play Motorhead's most popular
songs does not sit well with the fans. He leaves the band near the end of the
year.1984: Motorhead finds not one but two guitarists-Phil Campbell and
Wurzel. Unfortunately, they lose Philthy. He's replaced by Saxon's Pete Gill.
They break new ground in Australia and New Zealand, but they also part ways
with their record label, Bronze. No Remorse - a "greatest hits"
package with four new tracks-is their last album for the company.1985: Because
of legal hassles with Bronze, Motorhead is not able to make a new album, so
the band spends its tenth year of existence touring and appearing on various
radio and TV shows in England, Scandinavia and America.1986: The legal
trouble with Bronze now resolved, the guys hit the studio with Bill Laswell
for the GWR label and record the mighty Orgasmatron . Motorhead is back in
action and massive touring ensues, including a powerful show at the Monsters
of Rock in Castle Donnington.1987: Motorhead performs in Eat the Rich, the
black comedy by the makers of the English TV show The Young Ones (a show the
band appeared on frequently). Lemmy has a featured role in the movie, and
Motorhead also records the soundtrack album. Just before filming starts, Pete
Gill leaves the band and Philthy returns. They record an album with title
that says it all: Rock ‘N’ Roll.1988: The guys barrel on as road dogs,
beginning with America as special guests for Alice Cooper. Another live
album, No Sleep at All , is released. Lemmy somehow finds the time to
co-write a song, "Can't Catch Me" with Lita Ford for her album,
Lita. He also writes lyrics for "Head Over Heels," a song by his
old friends, Girlschool. He also appears in The Decline of Western
Civilization Part II: The Metal Years. The band finishes up the year with
another American tour-Slayer opens.1989: The boys break new ground, playing
in Brazil and Yugoslavia, along with many other old, familiar countries.
Lemmy sings and plays bass with Nina Hagen on her self-titled LP. There is no
new Motorhead studio album this year because of litigation with GWR.1990: The legal trouble with GWR is finally
resolved, and Motorhead signs its first full-on major label record deal with
WTG - Sony. Lemmy relocates to West Hollywood, just a couple blocks from the
Rainbow. The band obtains new management, and enters the studio for another
crushing LP.1991: 1916 is released and it's Motorhead's best album in years.
The band goes through a couple more managers and play the "Operation
Rock 'n' Roll" tour with Judas Priest and Alice Cooper-a review calls
our boys "the tangy mustard in an otherwise bland noise sandwich."
An appearance on The Tonight Show' - the first time a heavy band is
featured-adds to their already rock-solid credibility. Lemmy writes lyrics
for four songs on Ozzy Osbourne's No More Tears album.1992: 1916 is nominated
for a Grammy (but loses to Metallica) and Lemmy attends the festivities. When
the band goes into the studio to record March or Die , they change
drummers-Philthy is out and Mikkey Dee comes in. The guys play some dates
with a couple of bands they've influenced-Metallica and Guns N' Roses, on
their stadium tour.1993: Inexplicably, Motorhead is dropped by WTG, which
goes belly up not long after. Amidst much anger and frustration, the band
records Bastards on their own. They work out a deal with ZYX for
distribution, but this great album does not hit the stores like it should.
Nevertheless, it gets more radio play than either 1916 or March or Die.1994:
Tours for the year include a trek with Black Sabbath and a concert in
Argentina, where Motorhead co-headlines with the Ramones for 45,000 fans.
They record a version of "Born to Raise Hell" (originally on
Bastards ) with Ice T and Ugly Kid Joe's Whitfield Crane for the movie Airheads
. Although the band is temporarily without an American deal, they hit the
studio once again, and the result is the fearsome Sacrifice.1995: This banner
year-Motorhead's 20th anniversary-sees changes and celebrations. Wurzel
leaves the band at the end of making Sacrifice . Motorhead is a three-piece
once again and their shows are stronger than ever. CMC signs the guys and
releases Sacrifice Stateside. There is an historic party at year's end,
marking two decades of Motor-mania and Lemmy's 50th birthday. Metallica flies
down especially for the tribute at the Whisky. The Bay-Area behemoths call
themselves "The Lemmys" (and dress the part!) and rip through a set
of Motorhead's greatest songs.1996: After the usual world-wide trek, the
group settles back into the studio once again to create yet another slab of
sheer volume and power for CMC. The past 21 years have contained glorious
highs and dastardly lows, but absolutely nothing can stop Motorhead. |
LEMMY SAYS
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'... Who says that the Heavy Metal is dead I
am alone of the idiots! The Metal doesn't die' (Lemmy)· '(1998) I have been
fortunate... because I almost have 55 years of age, with the black bellows of
catrame, I still have the strength to be myself, to play my music and, let's
admit him/it, to have a good time me quite a lot' (Lemmy) The name Lemmy
(what in fact it is not his true name) it derives dall' expression English
'Lend me to fiver' that is 'lend me a ticket from 5 (pounds) '· Lemmy was
born in 1945 in Inghilterra.· Lemmy has also served in the military in the
Hawkwinds |
INTERNET
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ALBUM |
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1975 |
ON PAROLE |
1° |
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UNITED ARTIST |
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1977 |
MOTORHEAD |
2° |
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CHISWICK |
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1979 |
OVERKILL |
3° |
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BRONZE |
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1979 |
BOMBER |
4° |
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BRONZE |
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1980 |
ACE OF SPADES |
5° |
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BRONZE |
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1981 |
NO SLEEP ‘TIL
HAMMERSMITH |
LIVE |
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BRONZE |
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1982 |
IRON FIST |
6° |
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IRON
FIST – HEART OF STONE – GO TO HELL – LOSER – SEX & OUTRAGE AMERICA
– SHUT IT DOWN – SPEEDFREAK – (DON’T LET’ EM) GRIND YOU DOWN (DON’T
NEED) RELIGION – BANG TO RIGHTS – BONUS TRACKS 1992: REMEMBER
ME, I’M GONE – (DON’T LET’EM) GRIND YOU DOWN – LEMMY GOES TO THE PUB SAME
OLD SONG, I’M GONE – YOUNG AND CRAZY |
BRONZE |
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1983 |
ANOTHER
PERFECT DAY |
7° |
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BRONZE |
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1984 |
NO REMORSE |
ANTHOLOGY |
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GWR/ Rip. CASTLE COMMUNICATIONS |
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1986 |
ORGASMATRON |
8° |
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GWR |
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1986 |
BIRTHDAY PARTY |
? |
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GWR |
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1986 |
ANTHOLOGY |
ANTHOLOGY |
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RAW POWER |
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1987 |
ROCK N’ ROLL |
9° |
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GWR |
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1988 |
NO SLEEP AT
ALL |
LIVE |
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GWR |
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1990 |
COLLECTION:
MOTORHEAD |
ANTHOLOGY |
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CASTLE COMMUNICATIONS |
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1991 |
1916 |
10° |
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EPIC |
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1992 |
MARCH OR DIE |
11° |
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EPIC |
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1993 |
DIRTY LOVE |
ANTHOLOGY |
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RECEIVER |
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1994 |
BASTARDS |
12° |
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AUTO-PRODUCED – SPV |
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1995 |
SACRIFICE |
13° |
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SPV |
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1996 |
OVERNITE
SENSATION |
14° |
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SPV |
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1998 |
SNAKE BITE LOVE |
15° |
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SPV |
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1998 |
ALL THE ACES |
LIVE |
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SPV |
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1999 |
EVERYTHING
LOUDER THAN EVERYONE ELSE |
LIVE |
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SPV |
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2000 |
WE ARE MOTORHEAD |
16° |
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SPV |
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? |
THE BEST OF |
ANTHOLOGY |
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? |
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? |
LIVE AT
BRIXTON |
LIVE |
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NATION
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GENRE
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ENGLAND |
HEAVY
ROCK |
BAND
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2000 |
ACTIVE |
ALBUM |
OTHER BAND |
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BASS/VOCALS |
LEMMY KILMINSTER |
ALL |
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GUITARS |
PHIL CAMPBELL |
8° - |
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DRUMS |
MICKEY DEE |
12° - |
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*GUITARS |
WURZEL
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8° -
13°
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*GUITARS |
BRIAN ROBERTSON
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7°
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THIN LIZZY
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*GUITARS |
EDDIE CLARKE
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2° -
6°
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*GUITARS |
LARRY WALLIS
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1°
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*DRUMS |
PHILTY TAYLOR
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2° - 7° ,
10° - 11°
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*DRUMS |
PETE GILL
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8° -
9°
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*DRUMS |
LUCAS FOX
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1°
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