Formed: 1975
From:
London,
United Kingdom
Last Known Status: Active
Background
Lemmy spent the sixties in a number of small-time bands including Opal Butterfly, Sam Gopal, and The Rockin' Vickers as well as working as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix in 1967 for about six months, and as a roadie for The Nice. In 1971 he joined archetypal space rock UK Underground outfit Hawkwind who were centred around the very in Ladbroke Grove. His distinctive style of bass playing, involving the use of chords rather than the single notes preferred by most players, was a fundamental part of the Hawkwind sound during his tenure. He also provided lead vocals on a number of songs including the band's biggest UK chart single, Silver Machine, which reached No.3 in 1972.
By 1975 Lemmy's forceful personality and propensity for ingesting copious quantities of amphetamines were leading to conflict with other members, and this culminated with his sacking after being arrested for drug possession while on tour with the band in Canada. Lemmy went on to form a new band with guitarist Larry Wallis and drummer Lucas Fox. Wallis's former bands included the Pink Fairies, Steve Took's Shagrat and UFO. Lemmy's connection with Took (formerly of T Rex) was not limited to Wallis, as they were personal friends and Took was the step-father to Lemmy's son Paul. This new band was originally called Bastard. However, after the band's manager pointed out this name would lose them TV and radio exposure, it was changed to Motörhead - the last song Lemmy wrote for Hawkwind.
After a short period both Wallis and Fox were replaced with guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clarke and drummer Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor, and with this line-up the band began to achieve success. The uncompromisingly intense nature of their sound appealed to both Lemmy's original metal/rock constituency as well as the new punk fans — intrigued, perhaps, by Lemmy's brief stint in The Damned — and Lemmy's guttural vocals were unique in the world of rock at that time. The band's success peaked between 1980 and 1981 with a number of UK chart hits, including the classic single Ace of Spades (still a crowd favourite today) and the No. 1 Live Album No Sleep 'til Hammersmith . Motörhead have since gone on to become one of the most influential bands on the heavy metal scene and, although Lemmy is the only constant in a changing line-up, are still performing and releasing records to this day. Despite Motorhead's many member changes over their 30 year history the current lineup of Lemmy, Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee has remained constant since 1995.
Lemmy has also worked with a number of other musicians over his career, and occasionally guests with Hawkwind. He was brought in as a songwriter for Ozzy Osbourne's 1991 No More Tears album, providing lyrics for the tracks "Hellraiser," (which Motorhead later released) "Desire," "I Don't Want To Change The World," and the massive hit "Mama I'm Coming Home." Lemmy has noted in several magazine and television interviews that he made more money from the royalties of that one song than he had in his entire time with Motorhead.
He has made a number of appearances in film and television, including the 1990 science fiction film Hardware and the 1987 comedy Eat the Rich, for which Motörhead also recorded the soundtracks. In the 1994 comedy Airheads (in which he is credited as "Lemmy von Motorhead"), he shouts (truthfully) about being the editor of his high school newspaper. He has also appeared in several movies from the Troma studio. Having a predilection for self-deprecating parody, he once appeared in an advertisement for Kit Kat chocolate bars, miming a piece of chamber music on the violin, in an upper-class tea-room. Motörhead performed the entrance theme song "The Game" for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)'s Triple H, as well as "Line in the Sand" for his now defunct wrestling stable, Evolution. In 2006, they once again provided theme music for the WWE as they recorded the song King of Kings for Triple H on the Wreckless Intent CD.
Lemmy collects Nazi memorabilia, and has an Iron Cross encrusted on his bass, which has led to accusations of right-wing extremist tendencies; however, Lemmy considers himself to be an anarchist. According to Keith Emerson as written in his autobiography, two of Lemmy's Hitlerjugend knives were gifted to Keith Emerson himself during Lemmy's time spent as a roadie for The Nice. Emerson used these knives many times as "keyholders" during his famous wrestling sessions with the Hammond Organ during the shows with The Nice and Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
He published his autobiography, White Line Fever in November 2002.
Latest Motorhead News
Below is our complete Motorhead news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Note: We began associating news directly with bands in late 2003. Therefore, earlier band news may not be listed on this page.
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Metal Legends Discuss "Brutal Legend" Video Game
In a new video posted at GameTrailers.com, Motorhead frontman Lemmy, Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford and heavy metal mainstay Ozzy Osbourne discuss the forthcoming new video game, "Brutal Legend" which all three have lent their voices to. You can check out the video below. The game is in stores now and also features the voice acting talents of Jack Black, Tim Curry and Lita Ford. More...
Austrian Death Machine Posts "Iron Fist" Online
Austrian Death Machine has posted a cover of Motorhead's “Iron Fist” on their MySpace player. The song is off disc 2 of "Double Brutal," which came out on Tuesday, September 29th.
Tim Lambesis adds: “Ahhnold and I were able to put together an entire CD full of great cover songs related to his movies. Since we released one song from the originals disc already, we figured it was time for everyone to hear a cover as well. Even now you've only heard less than 1/10 of the album, so make sure to pick up the whole thing on Tuesday!”
Ahhnold enthusiasts and metalheads will have a chance to catch Austrian Death Machine live soon on the west coast. The latest Austrian Death Machine tour dates are as follows:
10/07 Yuma, AZ The Mandarin Theatre
10/08 San Diego, CA Soma Sidestage
Tour w/ Children Of Bodom, Skeletonwitch
10/09 San Francisco, CA Regency Center w/ The Black Dahlia Murder
10/10 Victorville, CA Karma not part of tour
10/11 Pomona, CA Glasshouse w/ Holy Grail (no Skeletonwitch)
10/12 Phoenix, AZ Marquee Theatre w/ The Black Dahlia Murder
Austrian Death Machine Posts Teaser Online
As I Lay Dying frontman Tim Lambesis and California frontman Ahhnold are back for round two with the release of AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE’s "Double Brutal," the follow up to 2008’s highly successful release, "Total Brutal." This two-disc set features one disc of all new heavy tracks in the tradition of all of Ahhnold’s greatest cinematic moments and a second disc of cover songs including songs originally performed by METALLICA, MEGADETH, MISFITS, JUDAS PRIEST and more, with cover art once again being tackled by Ed Repka (MEGADETH, DEATH, NOFX, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, etc), and is set for a North American release on September 29, 2009. The album also features guest performances by BUZ MCGRATH (UNEARTH), ANDREW TAPLEY (THE HUMAN ABSTRACT), JAMES GERICKE (DEATH BY STEREO), MARK MACDONAL (MERCURY SWITCH), ROCKY GRAY (LIVING SACRIFICE), RUSTY COOLEY and more.
A new audio clip featuring sneak peeks at tracks taken from Double Brutal is currently available on Austrian Death Machine's MySpace page.
“Sometimes being stereotypically metal is fitting. I'm not trying to break new ground; I just want to break people's necks... and have fun doing it,” comments AUSTRIAN DEATH MACHINE creator Tim Lambesis.
Here is the complete "Double Brutal" track listing: More...
Just For Fun
RickRoll w/ "Never Gonna Give Your Teen Spirit Up"
Thanks to DJ Morgoth, you can now Rickroll your friends with only half the suckitude, by linking to his latest mashup video for "Never Gonna Give Your Teen Spirit Up," which you can see below.
You can also download an MP3 of the song here.
If that intrigues you, you may be interested in downloading DJ Morgoth's "MetalMashMix 2009" - a single MP3 containing mashups of the following tracks:
1. Wu-Tang Clan vs. System Of A Down vs. Nine Inch Nails vs. Queens Of The Stone Age - Shame on a Bootlegga [ToToM]
2. Lady Gaga vs. Bullet For My Valentine - Scream Aim Dance (Bullet For Lady Gaga) [DJ Schmolli]
3. Gorillaz vs. Rage Against The Machine - Dare to Testify [ToToM]
4. Rage Against The Machine vs. Shaggy - Killing Boombastic [DJ Zebra]
5. Metallica vs. Panjabi MC - Metallica Goes To Punjab [Wax Audio]
6. Pain vs. Black Sabbath - I'm Going Paranoid [DJ Morgoth]
7. The Prodigy vs. Judas Priest - You've Got Another Firestarter Comin' [DJ Morgoth]
8. Gorillaz vs. Motörhead - Ace Of Spades Feels Good [DJ Morgoth]
9. Ray Parker Jr. vs. AC/DC - ThunderBusters [Wax Audio]
10. Bryan Adams vs. Metallica - Enter You [Wax Audio]
"Rock Band: Metal Track Pack" Details Revealed
A standalone metal-themed track pack for the "Rock Band" videogame series will be released on October 13th. The outing, dubbed "Rock Band: Metal Track Pack," will see a release at retail stores on the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Playstation 2 and Wii and will feature the following track listing:
1. All That Remains - "Two Weeks"
2. At the Gates - "Blinded By Fear"
3. Black Tide - "Shockwave"
4. Blue Oyster Cult - "Transmaniacon MC"
5. Bullet For My Valentine - "Waking the Demon"
6. Children of Bodom - "Are You Dead Yet?"
7. Evile - "Thrasher"
8. Godsmack - "I Stand Alone"
9. The Haunted - "D.O.A."
10. Hawkwind - "Master Of The Universe"
11. I Mother Earth - "Levitate"
12. In This Moment - "Forever"
13. Judas Priest - "Screaming for Vengeance"
14. Lacuna Coil - "Closer"
15. Lamb Of God - "Laid to Rest"
16. Motorhead - "Killed by Death"
17. Nazareth - "Hair Of the Dog"
18. Queens of the Stone Age - "3's & 7's"
19. Rage Against The Machine - "Bulls On Parade"
20. Yngwie Malmsteen - "Red Devil"
Motorhead Drummer To Appear In Reality Show
Reports are coming in that Mikkey Dee, the drummer for heavy metal legends Motorhead, will be taking part in the Swedish reality show, "Kändisdjungeln," which is the Swedish version of the show, "I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!" As a result of his appearance on the show, he will be missing several shows with Motorhead while the band tours North America. A replacement is expected to be announced shortly.
Guns N Roses Voted Best Guitar Riff Of All Time
Guns N Roses has topped a recent poll of the Greatest Guitar Riffs of all time with their 1987 hit song, "Sweet Child O' Mine." The poll received 5,000 votes and saw Eric Clapton come in second with the classic song, "Layla." Aerosmith came in third with their staple, "Walk This Way," Michael Jackson came in fourth with his song, "Beat It" and Motorhead rounded off the top five with the heavy metal anthem, "Ace Of Spades."
"Brutal Legend" Track Listing Revealed
GameDaily.com is reporting that the track listing for the upcoming heavy metal themed video game "Brutal Legend," which features the voice of Jack Black, has been revealed. The projected track listing can be viewed below. "Brutal Legend" is set to be released on October 13th in North America and October 16th in Europe. More...
Read the full article at GameDaily.com.
Halloween II Soundtrack To Feature New Recordings
Following the success of Rob Zombie’s initial reinvention of John Carpenter’s smash cult horror film HALLOWEEN, which premiered number one at the box office breaking all Labor Day Weekend 2007 records, comes the sequel, HALLOWEEN II, hitting theatres nationwide on August 28, 2009 from Dimension Films.
With the enormously popular horror movie series back, writer-producer-director Rob Zombie, once again puts his own twisted twist on the soundtrack. "Halloween II – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" (Hip-O/UMe), set for release on August 25, 2009, and co-produced by Zombie, manages to bring together dialogue from the film as well as music from Motorhead, The Moody Blues, Scream (sans future member Dave Grohl), Rod Stewart, the MC5 and Foghat, alongside new psychobilly band Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures.
Zombie helmed 2007’s ninth installment in the HALLOWEEN franchise that began in 1978. HALLOWEEN II, which debuts August 28, picks up where HALLOWEEN left off, and focuses on the struggles of Laurie Strode (played by Scout Taylor-Compton) and killer Michael Myers (played by Tyler Mane).
The new recordings on "Halloween II – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" include “Transylvania Terror Train” and “Honky Tonk Halloween” from Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures, who appear in the film. The band’s leader, Jesse Dayton, an Austin, Texas-based singer-guitarist who has played with Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson, was part of the duo Banjo & Sullivan that performed in Zombie’s 2005 flick The Devil’s Rejects and simultaneously released an album. Similarly, Rob Zombie Presents Captain Clegg And The Night Creatures (Stag/Zombie A Go Go) will be issued August 28.
Also new are “Laurie’s Theme” from John 5 produced by Bob Marlette, (Alice Cooper and Ozzy Osbourne); “Nurse Killa” from score composer Tyler Bates (Watchmen, 300, Halloween, The Devil’s Rejects); and a cover of Nazareth’s 1976 hit “Love Hurts” from singer Nan Vernon, who covered “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” and “Mr. Sandman” for HALLOWEEN. More...
Motorhead Announces More Tour Dates
Hard rock legends Motorhead has lined up some more tour dates for their upcoming trek across North America. This is in support of the bands latest album, "Motorizer" and features support from Reverend Horton Heat and Nashville Pussy.
The tour dates are as follows:
August 28 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
August 29 - Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom
August 30 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
September 1 - Detroit, MI - Motor City Casino
September 2 - Toronto, ON - Sound Academy
September 3 - Montreal, QC - Metropolis
September 5 - Atlantic City, NJ - House of Blues
September 6 - Boston, MA - House of Blues
September 8 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
September 9 - New York, NY - Roseland Ballroom
September 11 - Charlotte, NC - Fillmore
September 12 - Cherokee, NC - Cherokee Motorcycle Rally
September 15 - Tampa, FL - Jannus Landing
September 16 - Orlando, FL - House of Blues
September 18 - Warehouse Live - Houston, Texas
September 19 - Dallas, TX - Palladium
September 20 - Austin, TX - Stubb's
September 23 - St. Louis, MS - Pageant
September 24 - Kansas City, MS - Midland Theater
September 26 - Denver, CO - Fillmore
September 28 - Calgary, Alberta- Flames Central -
September 29 - Edmonton, Alberta - Events Center
October 1 - Vancouver, British Columbia - Vogue
October 2 - Seattle, Washington - Showbox Sodo
October 3 - Portland, Oregon - Roseland
October 5 - San Francisco, California - Warfield
October 9 - Los Angeles, California - Nokia Live
October 10 - Las Vegas, Nevada - House of Blues
Motorhead Announces More U.S. Tour Dates
Motorhead has announced extra U.S. tour dates alongside Nashville Pussy and Reverend Horton Heat. The currently confirmed dates are as follows:
8/28 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
8/29 - Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom
8/30 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
9/1 - Detroit, MI - Motor City Casino
9/2 - Toronto, ON - Sound Academy
9/3 - Montreal, QC - Metropolis
9/5 - Atlantic City, NJ - House of Blues
9/6 - Boston, MA - House of Blues
9/8 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
9/9 - New York, NY - Roseland Ballroom
9/11 - Charlotte, NC - Fillmore
9/12 - Cherokee, NC - Cherokee Motorcycle Rally
9/15 - Tampa, FL - Jannus Landing
9/16 - Orlando, FL - House of Blues
9/19 - Dallas, TX - Palladium
9/20 - Austin, TX - Stubb's
New Brutal Legend Trailer Posted Online
A brand new trailer for the forthcoming video game Brutal Legend has been posted online. You can check it out below. The new video game is influenced strongly by heavy metal and stars metal loving actor Jack Black as the main character as well as some of the biggest names in heavy metal including Judas Priest singer Rob Halford, Motorhead mainman Lemmy, metal veteran Lita Ford, the legendary Ronnie James Dio and Ozzy Osbourne, who will play the role of the "Guardian Of Metal." More...
Motorhead To Tour North America
Heavy rock legends Motorhead will be embarking on a tour of North America later this year. They will be joined on the trek by Reverand Horton Heat. Stay tuned as more tour dates are expected to be released soon.
The initial tour dates are as follows:
August 30 - Chicago, IL - Congress Theater
September 1 - Detroit, MI - Motor City Casino
September 2 - Toronto, ON - The Sound Academy
September 5 - Atlantic City, NJ - House Of Blues
The Damned Added To Motorhead U.K. Tour
British punk legends The Damned has been confirmed as an additional support band for Motorhead on their tour of Great Britain later this year. All shows will also see a special guest slot from Girlschool. The tour is in support of Motorhead's latest record, "Motorizer" which is out now through SPV Records.
The tour dates are as follows:
November 11 - Plymouth, UK - Pavilion
November 12 - Bristol, UK - Colsten Hall
November 13 - Newport, UK - Centre
November 15 - Swindon, UK - Oasis
November 16 - Nottingham, UK - Royal Concert Hall
November 17 - Newcastle, UK - City Hall
November 19 - Glasgow, UK - Academy
November 20 - Leeds, UK - Academy
November 21 - Manchester, UK - Apollo
November 23 - Cambridge, UK - Corn Exchange
November 24 - Southend, UK - Cliffs Pavilion
November 25 - Portsmouth, UK - Guildhall
November 27 - Bournemonth, UK - Solent Hall
November 28 - London, UK - Hammersmith Apollo
November 29 - Wolverhampton, UK - Civic Hall
New Brutal Legend Trailer Posted Online
A new trailer for the heavy metal orientated video game, Brutal Legend has been posted online. You can check it out by heading to the game's official website. The game's main character is voiced by heavy metal loving actor Jack Black and also features voiceover apearances from the likes of Ronnie James Dio, Motorhead's iconic mainman Lemmy and the Metal God Rob Halford. The game should be released around the summer time.
Motorhead To Headline Guilfest
Rock legends Motorhead will be headlining the Guilfest this year which will be held at Stoke Park, near Guildford in England. Motorhead will be headlining the Friday which is July 10th. Stay tuned for more details.
Metallica Covers Motorhead In London
A video has been posted on Metallica's official website of their performane at London's 02 Arena. During the show, the band covered the Motorhead track "Too Late, Too Late." You can check out the video below. Motorhead's mainman Lemmy will be a playable character in Metallica's forthcoming new video game, Guitar Hero: Metallica, which also features Danish metal legend King Diamond. More...
New Guitar Hero: Metallica Trailers Posted Online
Two more trailers for the forthcoming Guitar Hero: Metallica video game have been posted online. You can check them both out below. One of the trailers shows off Motorhead mainman Lemmy and the other demonstrates metal legend King Diamond who are both playable characters in the game. More...
Girlschool To Support Motorhead In The U.K.
British fans seeking to know who will be supporting rock legends Motorhead on their tour of Britain later this year won't be disapointed as all girl heavy metal group Girlschool has been confirmed to be the bands main support.
The tour dates are as follows:
November 11 - Plymouth, UK - Pavilion
November 12 - Bristol, UK - Colsten Hall
November 13 - Newport, UK - Centre
November 15 - Swindon, UK - Oasis
November 16 - Nottingham, UK - Royal Concert Hall
November 17 - Newcastle, UK - City Hall
November 19 - Glasgow, UK - Academy
November 20 - Leeds, UK - Academy
November 21 - Manchester, UK - Apollo
November 23 - Cambridge, UK - Corn Exchange
November 24 - Southend, UK - Cliffs Pavilion
November 25 - Portsmouth, UK - Guildhall
November 27 - Bournemonth, UK - Solent Hall
November 28 - London, UK - Hammersmith Apollo
November 29 - Wolverhampton, UK - Civic Hall
Golden Gods Awards USA Show Announced
This year, the United States will host their own Golden Gods Awards ceremony in an event that will be broadcast on MTV2 on May 2nd. The ceremony itself will take place on April 7th at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, California. It's already shaping up to be quite a show which boasts appearances from Motorhead's iconic mainman Lemmy, Testament members Eric Peterson and Chuck Billy, WWE Superstar CM Punk, rock legend Glen Danzig, Metalocaypse creator Brendon Small and many others plus performances from Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, Hatebreed, Suicide Silence and a special guest who's yet to be confirmed. To top things off, heavy metal loving comedian Brian Posehn will be hosting the show. One award winner already confirmed is Mr. Ozzy Osbourne who will take home the Lifetime Achievement award.
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