MOTORHEAD
Few bands can be considered as influential to the evolution of speed metal as Motorhead. And while many metal bands have either fallen by the wayside or augmented their sound to accommodate today's listeners, Motorhead continues to play the in-you-face, powerful music that has made them music legends.
In 1975, bassist/singer Lemmy Kilmister formed a band called Bastard after he was fired from the British psychedelic rock band Hawkwind. He soon changed the name to Motorhead, with a line-up consisting of himself, Larry Wallace on guitar and Lucas Fox on drums. The band hit the studio, and during the recording sessions, Lucas was replaced by Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor. They added "Fast" Eddie Clarke as a second guitarist, and Wallace quit during the audition. By 1977, the band released their self-titled debut, immediately building a base for their unconventional, raw and dirty sound.
Motorhead has continued at a fast and furious pace to this day. In 1982, Fast Eddie left the band and was replaced by Brian "Robbo" Robertson from Thin Lizzy. Line-ups continued to change, as Robertson left in 1983 to be replaced by Phil Campbell in 1984. Lemmy co-write a song, "Can't Catch Me" with Lita Ford for her album, Lita in 1988. Other highlights include stints on the Monsters of Rock tours and a 1994 gig with the Ramones.
Their most recent release, 1997's Over Night Sensation, shows a bit of irony with the title, as it has been more than 20 years of persistence that has taken Motorhead to their status atop the world of speed metal.
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