If you’re a huge Motörhead fan, apologies for the redundancy, but we have to open this blurb with, “Motörhead was an iconic English heavy metal band formed in London in 1975 by bassist, singer, and songwriter Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister.” There, now the newbies have been brought up to speed.
An iconic figure in music, Lemmy was the band's only continuous member, and even rocked the band’s 40th anniversary tour right before his death in 2015.
Although the band insisted they were a rock ‘n’ roll band, their fast-paced, aggressive style helped lay the foundation for heavy metal and thrash metal. Let’s look back at those formative years in the ‘70s where, whether they want to admit it or not, they were bouncing around the world changing heavy music forever.
1
Lemmy at the Windsor Free Festival in 1973.
In his pre-Motorhead days in the band Hawkwind.
2
Promo Shot From 1979
Used when Motörhead announced their deluxe ‘1979’ collectors boxset.
3
Fast Eddie Clarke ripping a solo!
The Motörhead Bomber Tour in 1979.
4
"Philthy" Phil Taylor Backstage
Taylor replaced Motorhead's first drummer, Lucas Fox, during the making of their first recording, "On Parole."
5
Full Band Shot
The Motörhead Bomber Tour in 1979.
6
Motorhead on "Top of the Pops"
From their first appearance in 1978
7
Motorhead Live
From the Motörhead Bomber Tour in 1979.
8
Lemmy and Fast Eddie sippin’ back stage.
9
Rockin' on Stage
"Fast" Eddie Clarke and Lemmy - 1979
10
Lemmy with Lucas Fox and a friend - 1975
11
Lemmy with Nancy Spungen and Sid Vicious
Photo taken on January 1, 1978.
12
Lemmy & Gaye Advert from The Adverts
Denmark Street, London - 1977.
13
Cover of the "Ace Up Your Sleeve" tour booklet.
Using one of the shots taken during a photo session the "Ace of Spades" album cover.
14
Motörhead at Reading Festival in 1979.
Little John's Farm - Reading, England.
15
Lemmy with Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy.
Sometime in the late '70s.
16
Lemmy being "trashy" - 1979
National Square Dance Convention in Milwaukee.
17
Lemmy Kilmister on stage.
From the Motörhead Bomber Tour in 1979.
18
The Original Lineup
London, 1975
19
With Ozzy in the late '70s.
Lemmy and Ozzy would become huge collaborators.
20
Promo Picture - 1979
Taken by photographer Allan Ballard.
21
On Tour in NYC
"These buildings are huge!"
22
Their decal on a car - Late '70s
On the road in style.
23
Gunning for you.
1978 in West London
24
The 1976–1982 Motörhead line-up.
Lemmy Kilmister, Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor, and "Fast" Eddie Clarke
