Motorhead – Fast and Loud!

Many say that Motorhead is ahead of their time. But was the band really ahead of it’s time? I like to think that they weren’t ahead of their time, but instead they were around at the right time and the right place. Furthermore, creating heavy metal awesomeness along the way! They took heavy metal to the next level!

Not only being a great metal band, but they also achieved the unthinkable in the late 1970s. They united the rockers and the punks! Not that there was a lot of difference between the two. Maybe just the various levels of angst and sound. Furthermore, they had hit singles with no airplay, and they were three guys that could easy summon up the guitar gods and create metal greatness.

Yeah, there are other great metal bands, but these guys have the swagger, the heart, soul, and punk ass moments as well. But they helped create the foundation of heavy metal and its many paths and genres. Another factor is that these guys loved music and were into many different styles. But even more into hard living lifestyles.

As for the fast and loud sounds screaming from their guitars. They wanted to send that frenetic energy out to their fans as well, only because they wanted them to experience what they were feeling on stage. While seeing these guys live, at times its very chaotic but at the same time it was also very symbiotic as well.

The Members of The Band

The members of the band were Ian ‘Lemmy’ Kilmister (bassist, singer, songwriter, front man), Phil Campbell (lead guitarist), ‘Fast’ Eddie Clarke (guitar), Mikkey Dee (drums), and Phil ‘Philthy Animal’ Taylor (Drums).

As well as Lucas Fox (drummer for six months before – replaced) and Larry Wallis (early member of the band / guitarist). The line-up’s changed but the formula stayed the same. That’s why they were so successful.

The Passing of Lemmy

Motörhead continues recording albums until Lemmy’s death in 2015. On December 28, 2015, Lemmy died from cancer, four days after celebrating his 70th birthday. He was the second Motörhead member to die in 2015, following Phil Taylor the previous month. The band posted his passing on Facebook. Telling fans to play Motörhead loud, play Hawkwind loud, play Lemmy’s music LOUD. “Have a drink or few. Share stories. Celebrate the LIFE this lovely, wonderful man celebrated so vibrantly himself.”

Early Inspirations

As a band, they inspired a lot of musicians with their music and antics on stage. As for the approach to the band’s music, it’s all about the roots of rock n roll and Lemmy’s favorite heroes. Such as Little Richard, Elvis, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, and he was ok with The Beatles.

Also, Lemmy’s earlier inspirations were the English group, The Birds, Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, The Who (the early version – John & Keith). In fact, Motorhead would also cover John Mayall, Johnny Burnette, Velvet Underground. Basically wanting to be the British version of MC5. They’ve covered the bands mentioned above as well as other bands on YouTube. Below is their cover of David Bowies “Heroes”

Moving Forward

Lemmy was the mainstay member of Motorhead and spent 40 years on the road touring and performing. Before this he spent 10 years with Hawkwind, Sam Gopal, and the Rockin’ Vickers and many others. As for the other members, they have their own projects and didn’t want to move on without Lemmy as he was the face and ringleader of Motorhead. To learn more about the band check out their social media or website: http://www.imotorhead.com/

 

BE SURE, TO CHECK OUT THE OTHER BLOG POSTS