User:Roda/Motörhead
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[edit] History
After being sacked from Hawkwind in 1975, supposedly for "doing the wrong drugs," Kilmister decided to form a new band, originally to be called Bastard. Realising that this would preclude them from commercial acceptance, he eventually settled on Motörhead, after a song he had written for Hawkwind. His stated aim was for the outfit to be "the dirtiest rock n' roll band in the world" and that "if this band moved in next door - your lawn would die".
| 1975 Line-up #1 |
|
|---|---|
| 1975 Line-up #2 |
|
| 1976 Line-up #3 |
|
| 1976-1982 Line-up #4 |
|
| 1982-1983 Line-up #5 |
|
| 1984 Line-up #6 |
|
| 1984-1987 Line-up #7 |
|
| 1987-1992 Line-up #8 |
|
| 1992 Line-up #9 |
|
| 1992-1995 Line-up #10 |
|
| 1995 to present Line-up #11 |
|
The first line-up of the band featured Larry Wallis (ex-Pink Fairies) on guitar and Lucas Fox on drums. Their first gig was at The Roundhouse, London, on July 20, 1975. They recorded sessions at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, during which Fox left to be replaced by drum virtuoso Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor. The sessions did not see the light of day until they were opportunistically released in 1979, once the band was becoming popular. Deciding that two guitarists were required, the band recruited "Fast" Eddie Clarke, but Wallis left during the auditions and so the idea was shelved. The trio of Kilmister, Clarke, and Taylor is today regarded as the "classic" Motörhead line-up.
Initial reactions to the band were unfavourable: they memorably won a poll for "Worst Band in the World" in one music magazine.
The band's first official album release was the self-titled Motörhead, released in 1977. By this time, the standard of their performances had improved considerably, and the uncompromising nature of their music was beginning to garner a following from enthusiasts of both metal and punk. Follow-up albums Overkill and Bomber cemented their reputation as one of Britain's foremost heavy metal groups.
In 1980 the band released their most successful studio album, the legendary Ace of Spades, which changed the band's image overnight and turned them into mainstream figures. The album reached No. 4 in the charts and a successful tour followed. It was around that time that Philthy broke his neck. Fortunately, the injuriues were not serious, and while he was recuperating, Lemmy and Eddie joined forces with Girlschool, which resulted in the St. Valentine's Day Massacre EP (1981). Taylor soon recovered, and the band recorded their first live album - No Sleep 'til Hammersmith, which immediately charted at No. 1. They were at the height of their popularity in the UK, as they were also breaking new ground in the USA, supporting Ozzy Osbourne.
However, things were starting to change. When the band returned to the studio in 1982, it was decided that Eddie Clarke would produce the album. The resulting album, Iron Fist, was a step-back for the band, although it peaked at No. 6 in the charts. A successful UK tour was followed by the band's second US tour, which would change things forever. Two dates into the tour, Eddie Clarke left the band. The reason was Stand By Your Man, which he was supposed to produce. He left the band after their New York gig, on May 15, 1982. The band immediately drafted ex-Thin Lizzy axeman Brian Robertson, who completed the tour with them. After that it was decided to let Robbo permanently join the band.
[edit] 1983
1983 was an eventful year for Motörhead. Determined to show the world another side of their musiocal abilities, the band released Another Perfect Day, their most controversial album to date. Musically, the album was a major step from the previous releases and received mixed reviews. Things were not looking well on stage either, as Robertson refused to play any of the bands earlier classics. Wearing ballet shoes and satin shorts while playing didn't help Motörhead with thier outlaw image, and by the end of the year, Robertson was fired.
[edit] The four-piece
Again in need of a guitarist, Motörhead started seeking for a new one, and found not one, but two. After the aouditions, it was up to Lemmy and Philthy (who had quit on the morning of the final audition) to decide who between Phil Campbell and Michael "Würzel" Burston would get the job. Lemmy liked them, both so much, he ended up hiring them both. Due to contract obligations, Philhy returned to record a performance of "Ace of Spades" for The Young Ones, a TV show. After that, Pete Gill (formerly of Saxon), was hired as Taylor's replacement.
The band also parted ways with their label, Bronze, who thought it was time to call it a day and decided to release a greatest-hits album, No Remorse. Motörhead soldiered on, celebrating their tenth anniversary at the Hammersmith Odeon. The video of the celebration was released as The Birthday Party. Also, they were signed to a new record label, GWR, which was run by their long-time manager, Doug Smith. The band soon released Orgasmatron, which was a fine return to the well-known Motörhead sound. Pete Gill was soon fired, and Taylor returned to Motörhead in 1987 and continued playing in the group until 1992.
In 1992, he was fired after recording "I Ain't No Nice Guy" because he didn't learn the drum tracks. Mikkey Dee became his permanent replacement, after the short and disappointing engagement of Tommy Aldridge on the album March or Die. When Würzel left in 1995, Motörhead returned as a three-man line-up and celebrated Lemmy's 50th Birthday with Metallica.
In 2005, Motörhead picked up their first Grammy Award in the "Best Metal Performance" category for their cover of Metallica's "Whiplash".
On December 10th 2005 in Perth, Western Australia, Motörhead and Mötley Crüe played an encore together onstage of "Anarchy in the UK", a worldwide first.
The umlaut over the ö in their name is a record-cover art conceit, possibly derived from the similar "Heavy metal umlaut" in the name of the Blue Öyster Cult. However, the band's name is not pronounced as the German usage; instead, Lemmy pronounces it (IPA) /'məʊtəhɛd/. Lemmy is also quoted to have "put the umlaut on the middle-O in order to make the name more 'German-looking,' meaner!"
The band's mainstream success has dwindled since the late 1980s, but Motörhead retains a large and loyal fanbase and continues to record and tour extensively. Many modern hard rock, heavy metal and punk rock groups cite the band as an important influence.
Lemmy Kilmister is the only member of Motörhead who has been in all of the line-ups, although Phil Taylor has played with all of the guitarists (Larry Wallis, "Fast" Eddie Clarke, Brian Robertson, Phil Campbell and Würzel).
