1975
Fired from Hawkwind after a drugs bust going into Canada, Lemmy Kilmister
returned to London. Determined to start his own band to avoid being fired
again, he decided it would be called 'Bastard,' but management overuled and
'Motorhead,' a song Lemmy had written as a B-side for Hawkwind, was born.
With drummer, Lucas Fox and Pink Fairies guitarist, Larry Wallis, and Lemmy
on bass and vocals, Motorhead began gigging and recorded their first album,
which their record company refused to release at the time, (it later emerged
in 1980 as 'On Parole').
1976
Lucas didn't have the required 'attack' for the drumming required, so a
Leeds punk, named Phil Taylor, whom Lemmy had come to know, was invited to a
rehearsal. Lemmy and Larry were impressed, and erased Lucas' drumming on the
album and replaced it with Phil's.Larry needed a rhythm guitarist to
'bolster the sound' whilst he was taking solos. Phil had met Eddie Clarke on
a day-job, so Eddie went to a rehearsal with Lemmy and Phil to find they
worked well together as a trio. Larry was late getting there, but when he
did so, after playing one song, and considering Motorhead's bad press to
date at the time, realised the Pink Fairies would be his best option; and
left the band.With no record label and Tony Secunda, their manager now,
trying to find them a record deal, Lemmy, Phil and Eddie just kept gigging
and refining their sound. In the December, they recorded 'White Line Fever'
and 'Leaving Here' as a proposed single for Stiff Records.
1977
Stiff released the two songs across two albums instead of giving Motorhead a
break with the single. Disheartened, they decided to quit, but asked
Chiswick Records boss, Ted Carroll, to record their final gig. Ted couldn't
afford to, but instead gave them 2 days in the studio to record a single,
but well-rehearsed as they were, they recorded their complete live set in
the time, so Carroll agreed for extra time to make the sessions into a
single and album release. The band toured as guests to Hawkwind, then, to
co-incide with the Chiswick release of the 'Motorhead' / 'City Kids' single
and the 'Motorhead' album, toured again with The Count Bishops, but 4 gigs
in, Phil Taylor broke his wrist so their dates were cancelled.
With the album to promote, the band continued gigging as soon as Phil's
bones had repaired themselves.
1978
Secunda recorded the band Live in the February, and from the tapes the
'What's Words Worth?' album was released 5 years later. But Secunda had
fallen out with and lost the band the opportunity of a second album with
Chiswick, so again, they had no record company behind them. They also dumped
Secunda, so had no management, either, so Motorhead, as such, were in limbo.
Lemmy asked Hawkwind manager, Doug Smith, if he would manage them? Reluctant
beforehand, he agreed, and won them a 'one single deal' with Bronze Records.
'Louie, Louie' / 'Tear Ya Down' was released, Chiswick re-issued the
'Motorhead' album, and Motorhead headlined a full UK tour.
Pleased with 'Louie's' chart placing, Bronze gave the band studio time to
record another album.
1979
The resulting 'Overkill' album and single was everything the fans needed and
more, and Motorhead took it out on another UK tour with female rockers,
Girlschool, as support. Bronze ask for another album, and other than their
appearance at The Reading Festival, Motorhead deliver the 'Bomber' album and
single in the Autumn, and another UK tour follows, with the breath-taking
'Bomber' lighting rig hanging over the band and going through its manoeuvres
during the song of the same name.
1980
Motorhead start the New Year with tours through Europe, with 3 albums behind
them now, there was no stopping them. A massive Live attraction, tracks are
recorded and 4 released as 'The Golden Years EP' and the lead track,
'Leaving Here' rockets it into the Charts.
To celebrate the Silver Disc status for the 'Bomber' album, the band
headline The Over The Top Heavy Metal Brain Damage Party at Bingley Hall, in
Staffordshire in the Summer; then go into the studio again to record the
'Ace Of Spades' album, then take it on tour throughout the UK in the Autumn.
1981
Motorhead tour Europe with Girlschool, then play and record 3 gigs in Leeds
and Newcastle for a Live album. Whilst on tour in America with Ozzy
Osbourne's Blizzard of Oz, Motorhead are told their live album, titled 'No
Sleep 'til Hammersmith,' has gone straight to #1 position!
They release 'Motorhead' as a live single, then return to the UK to headline
The Heavy Metal Holocaust at Port Vale Football Stadium.
Motorhead end the year touring Europe and Scandinavia, strengthening their
hard-core fan base with the sizzling live album, which until that point had
been every fan's wildest dream!
1982
Following a Live album would never be easy, and 'Iron Fist' suffered due to
lack of rehearsals, time, but mostly the lack of an independant producer.
However, the album and single charted fairly well, and after a Spring UK
tour, the band recorded a single with Wendy O Williams and The Plasmatics,
started an American tour, then guitarist, Eddie Clarke, left the band.
Thin Lizzy axeman, Brian Robertson stepped in to complete the tour. The band
made debut UK performances at Wrexham and Hackney stadiums in the Summer,
and completed European tour to end off the year.
1983
The 'new' line-up record another album, and 'Another Perfect Day' is taken
on tour in May in the UK. The album, and the 'I Got Mine' and 'Shine'
singles Chart fairly well. A massive American tour followed, then Europe in
the Autumn, but fans were disappointed at Robertson's refusal to play the
'Motorhead Classics' live, and after the November date in Berlin, he is
fired.
1984
Lemmy and Phil advertise for a new guitarist, and end up with two! Phil
Campbell and Wurzel complete the new 4-man Motorhead line-up. They record
'Ace Of Spades' for the prestigeous 'The Young Ones' UK comedy show, then
Phil Taylor quits to join Robertson in forming a new band.
Phil Campbell suggests ex-Saxon drummer, Peter Gill, who rehearses and is
found to be more than suitable. Bronze Records see the disruptions as
suicidal for the band, and start getting a 'Best Of' compilation together.
Lemmy intervenes and insists the new line-up record some new tracks for the
release. They do so, and 'Killed By Death' is released as a single, and
becomes yet another mighty anthem for the band and their fans.
The new line-up debut at Hammersmith Odeon, the compilation, titled 'No
Remorse' makes the Charts, but the band are not happy with the way Bronze
Records are treating them, and look to get out of their deal.
Court action follows, Bronze use an injunction to stop Motorhead from
recording, so the band tour Australia and just about everywhere else rather
than sit back and wait.
1985
Motorhead win the battle with Bronze and manager Doug Smith starts his own
record label, GWR. The band have their 10th Anniversary Birthday Party at
Hammersmith Odeon in June, and the 'Motorhead' encore sees everyone who has
ever played in the band, other than Larry Wallis, who believed filming had
been completed the day before, onstage for the song. Motorhead tour Europe
and spend the Autumn touring America with Wendy O Williams.
1986
Motorhead record the 'Orgasmatron' album, tour Europe, Scandinavia, and make
a large number of radio appearances following the release of the album. In
the Autumn they tour the UK, then the States for 2 months with Megadeath,
and Germany to end the year. The 'Orgasmatron' track quickly becomes a live
classic with Lemmy reciting the ominous words picked out by a lone, green
spotlight.
1987
Motorhead tour Europe with Onslaught, then America with Savage Grace, record
their second album for GWR with 'Rock 'n' Roll,' then tour the UK with Sword
to promote it. Lemmy stars in the 'Eat The Rich' movie, and Motorhead
provide the majority of the soundtrack. European and Scandinavian dates
follow with King Diamond, and the 'Stuff The Turkey - Eat The Rich' Xmas
show sells out at Brixton Academy.
1988
A 2 month tour of America with Alice Cooper kicks off the year, then Europe
with Girlschool and Destruction. Motorhead record a new Live album in
Finland, released and titled 'No Sleep At All,' they tour America with
Overkill and Slayer, then play Xmas shows in the UK and Germany.
1989
A full UK tour for the 'No Sleep At All' album follows in February, then 5
dates in Brazil and the 'Bastards Over Europe' tour. Another German tour
follows, along with a month at The Music Farm in Sussex writing new songs.
'The Silent Night' tour of the UK sees out the year.
1990
Relationships with Doug Smith and GWR Records result in another Court Case.
Motorhead play short UK and European tours before Lemmy and Phil Taylor
migrate to America. Once the Court action is over, Motorhead use The Music
Farm songs and new Manager, Phil Carson. to gain a record deal with Sony /
Epic. After more European dates, the band record the '1916' album in Los
Angeles.
1991
The '1916' album is Nominated for a Grammy. Motorhead play a bigger UK tour
with The Almighty, then European dates with The Cycle Sluts From Hell.
Japanese and Australian dates preceed The Operation Rock 'n' Roll Tour' with
Alice Cooper and Judas Priest. The year ends with dates as 'The Christmas
Metal Meeting' with Sepultura.
1992
Motorhead record the 'March Or Die' album and tour America with Ozzy
Osbourne and Ugly Kid Joe. Dates with Guns 'n' Roses and Metallica, and more
in Argentina and Brazil with Alice In Chains follow. Scandinavian and
European gigs, then 'The Bomber's & Eagle's Tour' with Saxon back up the
album, which has received mixed reactions.
1993
Along with other band's on the label, Motorhead are dumped after the 'March
Or Die' album. They relocate in LA to start recording new songs whilst
looking for another label. More dates in Argentina and a full European tour
follow, then more recording. 'The Christmas Metal Meeting 1993' tour closes
another year.
1994
Motorhead play a huge American tour with Black Sabbath from February through
to May. Dates in Argentina and Japan follow, then a European tour, Summer
Festival dates and the release of the 'Bastards' album to wide praise and
acclaim, and then 'Christmas Metal Meeting' dates in Germany keep the band
busy.
1995
The 'Sacrifice' album is recorded and released, with SPV / Steamhammer as
Motorhead's new record company. Guitarist, Wurzel, elects to leave the band
and they continue as a three-piece. They play the 'Motorious '95' European
tour with Grip Inc; and 3 UK dates. Another American tour with Black
Sabbath, then an extensive European tour with Skew Siskin preceeds 4 more UK
dates in November. South American shows, including Chile and Argentina
follow, then in December, Metallica play The Whisky in LA as 'The Lemmy's'
to celebrate Lemmy's 50th Birthday.
1996
Motorhead play an extensive American tour with Speedball and Belladonna. In
March, rehearsals for another album begin, but are interrupted by the band's
Summer Festival appearances across Europe.
The 'Overnight Sensation' album is released, and extensive American and
European tours follow with Dio.
1997
The 'Overnight Sensation' album is released, he title poking sarcastic fun
at the band's longevity. They play The Astoria in London in January, then
tour relentlessly through Europe and Scandinavia and end off with 4 dates in
Japan. The ill-fated Motorhead / WASP tour rampages through America before
Summer Festival appearances in Germany and Hungary. More UK dates follow to
promote the album in October, and 5 dates in Russia end the year.
1998
Motorhead tour Europe for the 'Snakebite Love' album, with the Hamburg Docks
show being recorded for a future live album. In July they're on The OzzFest
through America and in August begin their Summer Festival dates. In October,
they tour the UK and follow with an extensive dates through Europe.
1999
The Hamburg show is released in its entirety as the double-live album
'Everything Louder Than Everyone Else' and the band play a US tour through
until June. The Summer Festivals follow through Europe, including one in
Slovenia. The band begin recording another studio album in Germany, then in
October, tour America with Nashville Pussy. In November, Motorhead tour
Scandinavia with 'The Monster's of the Millennium' tour, then end the year
with 2 shows at London's Astoria.
2000
After completing their album recording in LA, the band shoot their 'God Save
The Queen' video in London to accompany the single release. 7 dates in South
America follow, then 'We Are Motorhead' is released in May, followed by
another 2 month tour through America. A dozen Summer Festival dates through
Europe, including 2 in the UK, 4 in Japan and Motorhead's 25th Anniversary
Show at Brixton Academy, follow. The band then move on to tour Europe and
Scandinavia, with 4 dates in Russia, then one each in Poland and Hungary.
2001
Motorhead play 'The Game,' Triple H's introduction theme, Live at
Wrestlemania at The Astrodome; the performance is televised worldwide. They
tour the UK in May, then play another 12 Summer Festivals followed by an
American tour with Mudhoney. Motorhead receive Gold Discs for 'The Game' and
appear on The Drew Carey Show.
2002
Motorhead tour America with Morbid Angel. The 'Hammered' album is released
followed by 17 Summer Festival dates and more shows to strengthen their
South American fan base. Both UK and European tours follow with Anthrax.
2003
American tours with The Dwarves and Anthrax, then 7 Summer Festival dates
prior to an American tour with Dio and Iron Maiden. The 'Hammered' album
tour of the UK with The Wildhearts follows, then through Europe with Skew
Siskin.
2004
A prestigeous show at London's Royal Opera House in February is a one-off
whilst the band are in the studios recording what will become the 'Inferno'
album. Motorhead play a handful of South American dates, but some 20 Summer
Festivals in the midst of which the 'Inferno' album is released. The UK tour
follows with Sepultura and carries on through Europe.
2005
Motorhead win a Grammy for 'Best Metal Performance' for their cover of
Metallica's 'Whiplash' track. They tour America with Corrosion of Conformity
and North America with Priestess. No less than 20 Festival dates span the
Summer, including Motorhead's 30th Anniversary Show on June 16th at
Hammersmith Apollo in London. A Scandinavian tour with Mondo Generator and
UK dates with Girlschool follow, plus 6 in Australia with Motley Crue.
2006
Four dates with Meldrum in America at The House of Blues venues kick's off
the year as a new album is being recorded. Released in August amongst
Festival dates, 'Kiss Of Death' is critically acclaimed as the band play
Hyde Park in London as special guests to The Foo Fighters. Motorhead tour
the UK with Crucified Barbara, then Europe with Meldrum.
2007
'Kiss Of Death' tours in South America and Europe follow, along with the
Summer Festival dates. The 30th Anniversary London Show is released as a
double album titled 'Better Dead Than Motorhead.' 2 dates in Japan and an
Australian tour with Rose Tattoo follow, then more dates in Europe end the
year.
2008
Recording a new album before Motorhead's now legendary Summer Festival dates
across Europe, including Download in the UK. They play the 'Metal Masters'
tour through America as their new album, titled 'Motorizer,' leaves the
acclaimed 'Inferno' and 'Kiss Of Death' albums in the dust, then rips up the
Charts Worldwide as Motorhead headline an American tour before Autumn dates
in the UK and Europe.
