Formation: Formed in London in 1975
Members: Founded by Lemmy Kilmister, Larry Wallis, and Lucas Fox; notable members include Phil Taylor and Eddie Clarke
Music Style: Most often classified as heavy metal, influential in thrash metal and speed metal scenes
Hit Albums: Famous albums include Overkill, Bomber, Ace of Spades, and the live album No Sleep ’til Hammersmith
Major Influence: Considered a precursor to the new wave of British heavy metal, revitalizing the genre in the late 1970s and early 1980s
Career Span: Active from 1975 to 2015, released 23 studio albums
Record Sales: Over 15 million records sold worldwide
Motörhead was a pioneering English rock band known for their loud and fast style, significantly developing heavy, speed, and thrash metal. Founded in 1975 by the legendary Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister, the band left an indelible mark on the music world with their unique sound and rebellious spirit.
Band Members
Motörhead’s lineup changed numerous times over their 40-year career, but a few names stand out as key players in their legacy.
Final Line-up:
- Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister – Bass, Lead Vocals (1975–2015)
- Phil “Wizzö” Campbell – Guitars, Backing Vocals (1984–2015)
- Mikkey Dee – Drums (1992–2015)
Previous Members:
- Larry Wallis – Guitars, Backing Vocals (1975–1976)
- Lucas Fox – Drums (1975)
- Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor – Drums (1975–1984, 1987–1992)
- “Fast” Eddie Clarke – Guitars, Backing Vocals (1976–1982)
- Brian “Robbo” Robertson – Guitars, Backing Vocals (1982–1983)
- Michael “Würzel” Burston – Guitars, Backing Vocals (1984–1995)
- Pete Gill – Drums (1984–1987)
These members helped shape the band’s sound and style, with Lemmy as the unwavering heart and soul of Motörhead, known for his gravelly voice, distinctive Rickenbacker bass, and larger-than-life persona.
Motörhead T-Shirts
If you’re a true Motörhead fan, these epic t-shirts are the perfect way to show your love for the legendary band. With bold designs like Snaggletooth and iconic album art from Overkill, Skull King, Claw, each tee captures the raw energy and rebellious spirit of Lemmy and crew. Whether into horror-inspired (Horror Crime Stories) graphics or classic metal imagery, these shirts let you wear your Motörhead pride loud and proud.
Full Discography
Over the years, Motörhead released 22 studio albums, each contributing to their enduring legacy. Here’s a look at their full discography:
- Motörhead (1977)
- Overkill (1979)
- Bomber (1979)
- Ace of Spades (1980)
- Iron Fist (1982)
- Another Perfect Day (1983)
- Orgasmatron (1986)
- Rock ‘n’ Roll (1987)
- 1916 (1991)
- March ör Die (1992)
- Bastards (1993)
- Sacrifice (1995)
- Overnight Sensation (1996)
- Snake Bite Love (1998)
- We Are Motörhead (2000)
- Hammered (2002)
- Inferno (2004)
- Kiss of Death (2006)
- Motörizer (2008)
- The Wörld Is Yours (2010)
- Aftershock (2013)
- Bad Magic (2015)
Their music wasn’t just prolific; it was consistently powerful. Each album added new elements to their sound while staying true to their raw, high-energy roots.
Most Popular Songs
When it comes to Motörhead, a few tracks have risen to iconic status, defining both their career and the heavy metal genre as a whole:
“Ace of Spades” (1980)
“Overkill” (1979)
“Bomber” (1979)
“Killed by Death” (1984)
“The Hammer” (1991)
“Iron Fist” (1982)
“Born to Raise Hell” (1993)
“Orgasmatron” (1986)
“Damage Case” (1979)
“Motörhead” (1977)
Band History
Motörhead was formed in London in 1975 by Lemmy Kilmister after he was dismissed from the band Hawkwind (a split that was probably Hawkwind’s loss more than Lemmy’s). The original lineup included guitarist Larry Wallis and drummer Lucas Fox. The band’s name was inspired by the last song Lemmy wrote for Hawkwind, and it quickly became synonymous with raw, unfiltered rock ‘n’ roll.
Throughout their career, Motörhead became known for their relentless touring schedule and fusion of punk rock’s raw energy with heavy metal’s power. Despite numerous lineup changes, Lemmy remained the constant driving force behind the band until he died in 2015. The band officially ended after his passing, leaving a legacy that is still felt in today’s music world.
Notable Awards & Success Stats
Throughout their epic career, Motörhead racked up an impressive collection of awards and honours, solidifying their place as one of the most influential bands in rock and metal history. Whether through Lemmy’s iconic presence or the band’s powerful live performances, Motörhead consistently earned recognition from some of the biggest names in the music industry. Look at their key awards and nominations, celebrating everything from Grammy wins to lifetime achievement accolades.
Grammy Awards
- 2005: Winner for Best Metal Performance for “Whiplash” (cover of Metallica’s song).
- 1992: Nominated for Best Metal Performance for the album 1916.
- 2000: Nominated for Best Metal Performance for “Enter Sandman” (another cover).
- 2015: Nominated for Best Metal Performance for “Heartbreaker”.
Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards
- 2005: Lemmy Kilmister won the Living Legend award.
- 2011: Lemmy won the award for Film/DVD for the documentary Lemmy.
Kerrang! Awards
- 2000: Won the Silver K award.
- 2019: Won the Inspiration award.
Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards
- 2005: Lemmy won the Golden God award.
- 2013: Motörhead won the Golden God award.
Revolver Music Awards
- 2010: Nominated for Best Live Band.
- 2013: Lemmy received the Revolver Golden Gods Lifetime Achievement Award.
Other Recognitions
In 2020, Motörhead was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing their significant contributions to music history.
Logo and Album Artwork
One of the most recognizable elements of Motörhead’s image is their logo, featuring the iconic “Snaggletooth” or “War-Pig” mascot. This menacing figure, designed by artist Joe Petagno, became synonymous with the band’s image, appearing on most of their album covers and merchandise.
The artwork often reflected the band’s aggressive and rebellious ethos, with themes of war, death, and rock ‘n’ roll. Whether you see it on a t-shirt or an album cover, that snarling face instantly screams Motörhead, embodying everything the band stood for .
Additional and Interesting Facts
- Lemmy’s Bass Style: Lemmy played his bass more like a rhythm guitar, using a Rickenbacker and an overdriven Marshall stack to create that aggressive, distorted sound that became one of the band’s hallmarks.
- Rock ‘n’ Roll Band: Despite being labeled as a heavy metal band, Lemmy always insisted that Motörhead was, at its core, a rock ‘n’ roll band. His mantra: “We’re Motörhead, and we play rock ‘n’ roll!” became a rallying cry for fans.
- Loudness: Their live performances were legendary for their volume and intensity, famously described as “louder than everything else.” In fact, they were often considered one of the loudest bands in the world, with their concerts reaching levels that could literally shake the ground.
- Influence: Motörhead’s impact on music is widespread, influencing bands across a range of genres, from Metallica to the Ramones. Their ability to bridge punk, metal, and rock audiences was a testament to their unique sound and rebellious spirit .
Sources
https://366daysofmotorhead.wordpress.com/2017/01/23/motorhead-official-site-history/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mot%C3%B6rhead
https://www.musikholics.com/motorhead/
