1975 to 1977

In June 1975 one time HAWKWIND, ROCKIN' VICARS and OPAL BUTTERFLY member Ian 'Lemmy' Kilmister formed what is arguably the closest any band has ever come to epitomising the true essence of Heavy Metal, this despite Lemmy's frequent insistence that his band is not Heavy Metal, merely very loud Rock n' Roll. Lemmy's formative years as a musician had been spent with Manchester based outfits THE RAINMAKERS, between 1963 and 1966, and MOTOWN SECT before enrolling into the ranks of the ROCKIN' VICARS. With this band Lemmy achieved a fair degree of popularity, issuing a brace of singles in the UK and even performing in the then communist stronghold of Yugoslavia. Reputedly the band's efforts would be rewarded by an invitation to an official state function in the presence of President Marshall Tito.

Lemmy opted out of the ROCKIN' VICARS to roadie for JIMI HENDRIX prior to joining Acid Rockers SAM GOPAL'S DREAM in 1968. He would feature on one album prior to disembarking to team up with another Psychedelic Rock outfit OPAL BUTTERFLY. The demise of this act in 1972 signalled a switch of instruments to the more familiar bass guitar and induction into the mightiest Space Rock outfit of all - HAWKWIND. He would grace four albums and even fronted up the band's biggest hit, the seminal 'Silver Machine'. His tenure with HAWKWIND came to a close as he was busted at the Canadian border for possessing speed, and subsequently spending 5 days in jail. The band bailed him out for a final gig in Toronto but it was to be his last with Dave Brock and co. Lemmy returned to Britain to assemble a new band initially to be titled BASTARD, but later opting for the more acceptable MOTÖRHEAD, in actuality the name of a song Lemmy had penned for HAWKWIND. The band debuted supporting GREENSLADE in July 1975 at London's Roundhouse, performing a set comprising HAWKWIND, PINK FAIRIES and other cover songs.

The first incarnation signed to United Artists, as Lemmy was still under a 'leaving member' clause in his contract from HAWKWIND, with a line-up of LEMMY, guitarist Larry Wallis and drummer Lucas Fox. The latter had quite a history before MOTÖRHEAD having been a member of SHAGRAT, BLODYWN PIG, LANCASTER, even briefly UFO and PINK FAIRIES. Also involved, albeit fleetingly, was guitarist Luther Grosvenor, better known as 'Ariel Bender' of MOTT THE HOOPLE and WIDOWMAKER repute.

The one and only album recorded for United Artists, 'On Parole' cut in December of 1975, featuring both Lemmy and Wallis on lead vocals, was initially rejected by the record company. The album featured the Wallis written track 'City Kids' that first appeared on PINK FAIRIES previous 'Kings Of Oblivion'. MOTÖRHEAD, with new drummer 'Philthy Animal' Taylor, Fox having also left the fold in the midst of the 'On Parole' sessions to team up with WARSAW PACT, persevered as a trio.

The band cut a single for Stiff Records, buoyed by their adoption of the emerging Punk Rock scene, but it's release was put paid to by an injunction from United Artists. Frustratingly the band had no option but to sit it out and wait for the contract to expire. MOTÖRHEAD promptly underwent a major transformation prior to signing to Chiswick Records, with Wallis departing for another PINK FAIRIES reunion. The band had intended to become a quartet by pulling in ex-ZEUZ and BLUE GOOSE guitarist FAST EDDIE CLARKE coming in once more to make up the numbers, but this idea fizzled out after one day as Wallis bailed out.

Upfront of the band's Chiswick album sessions they conducted a brief burst of UK dates in support of HAWKWIND. The band's second attempt at a debut album charted at number 43, backed up by a London graffiti campaign mounted by notorious ex-MOODY BLUES and WIZZARD manager Tony Secunda (who coincidentally was managing the tastefully titled MOORS MURDERERS at the time, featuring none other than a pre PRETENDERS Chrissie Hynde).

1978 to 1980

1978 found the band severing ties with Chiswick Records as well as Phil Taylor and Eddie Clarke dabbling with side project THE MUGGERS with guitarist / vocalist John 'Speedy' Keen and bassist Billy Wrath for sporadic live gigs during gaps in MOTÖRHEAD's schedule. The band switched to the Bronze organisation in 1978. MOTÖRHEAD's brash combined with some quite melodic turns, yet almost always buried in an avalanche of aggression in their of songwriting, was launched in almost perfect timing to coincide with the early 80s Heavy Metal explosion. Intense touring allied to TV appearances saw MOTÖRHEAD rise rapidly in stature with each album topping it's predecessors performance. MOTÖRHEAD concerts were notorious for being intensely loud, a reputation which was to become almost mythical.

Their first product for Bronze would be a raucous re-work of the fifties Rock n' Roll staple 'Louie Louie'. Interest was high enough to gain a valuable 'Top Of The Pops' TV appearance and persuade Bronze to get the band back into the recording studio as soon as possible. The resulting 'Overkill', issued in March of 1979, propelled the band to the head of the Heavy Metal revival. A UK tour with GIRLSCHOOL in tow ensued prior to European dates. The Scandinavian leg famously saw the band incarcerated after being accused of wrecking the PA system at the Punkaroka 'Midnight Sun' festival.

Quickening their pace the group issued the quick fire 'Bomber' in the Summer of 1979. Although hastily recorded 'Bomber' provided MOTÖRHEAD with their second classic in a row. The now famous album art, featuring Lemmy, Eddie and Philthy piloting a Heinkel 111 bomber, would translate into one of the most recognisable stage sets ever devised. For touring in the UK, with guests SAXON, the entire light rig would be transformed into an aircraft complete with spinning lights for propellers. Naturally, United Artists opted to cash in on the band's success by releasing the 1975 'On Parole' album.

The band teamed up with Punk frontrunners the DAMNED to create the MOTÖRDAMN project cutting two tracks in MOTÖRHEAD's 'Over The Top' and a version of the SWEET's 'Ballroom Blitz'. The latter featured on the B side of a DAMNED single release.

By the start of the 80s the band had scored their first top ten album, with the Vic Maile produced 'Ace Of Spades' peaking at number 4 in October of 1980, preceded by the top ten charting live EP 'The Golden Years'. 'Ace Of Spades' had been crafted at Jackson's Studios in Rickmansworth between August 4th and September 15th 1980. Chiswick Records weighed in on the band's profile too with four tracks cut during the 'Motörhead' recordings released as the 'Beerdrinkers' EP. On the live front MOTÖRHEAD took WEAPON out as support band for a sold out UK trek. However, the year closed on a sour note as Philthy, apparently as the result of a well intentioned grapple with a large fan of the band, broke his neck.

1981 to 1983

With drummer Philthy Animal Taylor in recovery the enforced hiatus was filled with an amalgam of label mates GIRLSCHOOL and MOTÖRHEAD - titled HEADGIRL. The resulting 'St Valentine's Day Massacre' EP, which hit number 5 based on the radio play of the JOHNNY KIDD AND THE PIRATE's track 'Please Don't Touch', saw the two bands combined for a memorable performance on the TV show 'Top Of The Pops'. Another collaboration came with Lemmy's involvement with THE YOUNG & MOODY BAND's 'Can't Do That', these sessions also featuring journeyman drummer COZY POWELL and, somewhat surreally, Irish Pop sisters THE NOLANS. However, better was to come when MOTÖRHEAD unleashed what is probably the rawest live album of all time. Titled 'No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith', the record crashed into the British charts at number 1.

MOTÖRHEAD were also keen to crack North America, Lemmy's experiences there with HAWKWIND having shown the frontman the real possibilities of pursuing the Rock n' Roll lifestyle to the full. The band's debut gig there came on a festival bill alongside OZZY OSBOURNE at a show headlined by HEART.

The next studio album, April 1982's Will Reid Dick and Fast Eddie Clark produced 'Iron Fist', reached number 6 again in the UK. The band had recorded the album over two sessions, cutting 'the title track and 'Shut It Down' at Ramport Studios in late January 1982 before laying down the bulk of the tracks at Morgan Studios throughout February. 'Iron Fist' was backed by a lengthy sell out tour, but some detected rumblings within the ranks and even a slight mellowing of direction. Following intense dissatisfaction with a joint single between MOTÖRHEAD and American act THE PLASMATICS, later to surface as the Lemmy n' Wendy O' Williams cover of TAMMY WYNETTE's 'Stand By Your Man', Eddie Clarke quit in May 1982 to re-emerge in the FASTWAY project with ex-UFO bassist PETE WAY.

The vacancy was filled almost immediately by ex-THIN LIZZY guitarist Brian Robertson, who joined MOTÖRHEAD for their American tour and the band's first dates in Japan. The ensuing studio album 'Another Perfect Day' proved a fine album, but somehow the rough edges that had so attracted fans before were visibly lacking onstage and Robertson was never truly accepted. The band toured Britain, but no longer to the expected full houses and the new guitarist's apparent lack of willing to learn older songs and clean cut image did not endear him to the group's hardcore audience.

1984 to 1986

1984 proved a make or break year for the band which, at one point, had only Lemmy left to carry on with the name. Robertson joined the FRANKIE MILLER BAND. He would later turn up in STATETROOPER, the HELLFIRE CLUB and THE CLAN. Lemmy auditioned a whole slew of guitarists but not being able to decide upon the final two LEMMY recruited them both and MOTÖRHEAD became a twin guitar band for the first time. Relative unknowns ex-BASTARD man WURZEL (previously in the army and real name Michael Burston) and Phil Campbell (ex PERSIAN RISK) were drafted in. Taylor stuck around long enough for a single TV performance on the cult comedy show 'The Young Ones' before he too decamped for a short liaison with WAYSTED. MOTÖRHEAD duly drafted former SAXON drummer Pete Gill.

The overhauled MOTÖRHEAD debuted with the successful single 'Killed By Death', penned by Lemmy, Würzel, Campbell and Gill but only credited to Lemmy and Würzel as both Campbell and Gill were still bound by previous contracts. 'Killed By Death' would feature on the compilation album 'No Remorse'. MOTÖRHEAD set out on a British tour during 1984 with Campbell repaying his erstwhile colleagues by granting PERSIAN RISK the valuable support slot.

1986's Bill Laswell produced 'Orgasmatron' album certainly vindicated the new blood, Brazilian thrashers SEPULTURA still cover the title track in their live set to this day, and MOTÖRHEAD undertook an extensive European tour that year with support acts MANOWAR and EXCITER, including dates in eastern Europe. In Hungary at one gig they pulled 27'000 people. Lemmy and Würzel took time out to produce and guest on WARFARE's second album 'Metal Anarchy'.

With a North American tour finding MERCYFUL FATE and EXCITER supporting, a further US trek had CRO-MAGS and MEGADETH opening. However, MEGADETH were ousted after only two shows as counter accusations regarding bad treatment and insufficient soundchecks flew about in the press. Five years later MEGADETH main man Dave Mustaine was to publicly apologise for his behaviour.

1987 to 1990

August 1987's self produced 'Rock n' Roll' album scored the added advantage of having some of its track included in the comic movie 'Eat The Rich' and the inclusion of Monty Python comedian Michael Palin contributing some suitably oddball narration. The album landed at number 34 in the UK charts, also made its presence felt on the national listings in Sweden and scored number 150 in the USA. Once more MOTÖRHEAD, now with Phil Taylor back on drums, set about laying Europe to waste, this time with support act SAVATAGE. UK dates throughout September and October 1987 had Canadian act SWORD as openers. MOTÖRHEAD closed the year with a support gig to ALICE COOPER in Seattle, Washington. More shows across the USA and Canada opening for ALICE COOPER took the band through into mid 1988. A further live album, entitled 'No Sleep At All' recorded in Helsinki, Finland, arrived in October 1988.

The band undertook another successful British tour in 1989 with support act THUNDERHEAD. However, the relentless grind of albums and heavy touring schedules were hiding the fact that MOTÖRHEAD were on a non-creative treadmill with their career. The band took a long hard look at their predicament and decided to start from scratch.

1990 was a turning point for MOTÖRHEAD as they finally shrugged off both manager Doug Smith and GWR Records, with whom they had been signed since 'Orgasmatron', and secured a new management deal with Phil Carson, of AC/DC repute, and duly scored a major label deal with Epic Records in America. Lemmy relocated to Los Angeles and the band proceeded to record '1916' with ex-PROCOL HARUM man Pete Solley acting as producer, who the band had been endeavouring to work with since 'Orgasmatron'. As a parting shot from their old label GWR Records, the 1985 live recording 'Birthday Party' saw issue.

1991 to 1994

Whilst recording in California MOTÖRHEAD took a break to play the 'Rip' magazine party. Other non curricular activities included Lemmy turning up in the sci-fi film 'Hardware' playing the part of a taxi driver. Once '1916' was released, through new label Epic Records in January 1991, the media wholeheartedly cited it as a return to form. Lemmy had also involved himself in outside writing, penning lyrics to the tracks 'Desire', 'I Don't Want To Change The World', 'Hellraiser' and 'Mama I'm Coming Home' on OZZY OSBOURNE's 'No More Tears' album. '1916' put MOTÖRHEAD back into the UK charts at number 24. It reached number 142 in the USA.

In May Lemmy and Phil Campbell put in an appearance on the 'David Letterman Show', performing a rendition of CHUCK BERRY's Rock n' Roll standard 'Let It Rock'. MOTÖRHEAD returned to tour Britain with support act THE ALMIGHTY then took part in the North American 'Operation Rock n' Roll' tour extravaganza. Conceived by Epic Records, this roving festival series saw the group pitched alongside JUDAS PRIEST, METAL CHURCH and ALICE COOPER. However, the band regrettably pulled out of the last dates due to LEMMY breaking a rib. MOTÖRHEAD got back on the road shortly after on a package tour with OZZY OSBOURNE and ALICE IN CHAINS. The band also was granted the well deserved accolade of securing a Grammy nomination for '1916'.

Phil Taylor left for the second time in April 1992, amidst rumours that the drummer's excessive lifestyle was affecting the band to a degree where it was no longer viable. A temporary replacement was announced in ex-DOKKEN, WWIII and KING DIAMOND drummer Mikkey Dee (Michael Delaouglou), but not before renowned journeyman drummer Tommy Aldridge had recorded drum parts for the new, Peter Solley produced album 'March Or Die'. As recording wound up at Music Grinder Studios, with OZZY OSBOURNE and GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash both guesting on 'I Ain't No Nice Guy' and the latter also gracing 'You Better Run', Dee's position within the band was finalised, but the Swede only managing to lay down drum tracks for the tracks 'Hellraiser' and 'Born To Raise Hell'. These track, with 'Born To Raise Hell' seeing shared vocals with UGLY KID JOE's Whitfield Crane and Rapper ICE T of BODY COUNT, were included on the movie soundtrack to 'Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth'. 'March Or Die', also featuring a notable cover of TED NUGENT's 'Cat Scratch Fever', arrived in stores during August 1992.

With Slash having appeared on the record, MOTÖRHEAD's connections with GUNS N' ROSES would enable them to reach new peaks as special guests to the METALLICA and GUNS N' ROSES touring extravaganza for a valuable three nights.

The group's next outing would prove to be their most low key. 'Bastards', released in on the German ZYX label in November 1993, saw limited distribution outside of Germany. Tragedy was to strike the band when a fan was killed in a stage diving incident at their London Forum show in June 1994, an event that truly soured the year. MOTÖRHEAD rounded off 1994 touring America once more on a double billing with veterans BLACK SABBATH.

1995 to 2000

In early 1995 MOTÖRHEAD hit the charts again when they released the single 'Born To Raise Hell' in collaboration with UGLY KID JOE singer Whitfield Crane and BODY COUNT's Ice T. LEMMY also appeared solo on the popular TV show 'Don't Forget Your Toothbrush'. WURZEL announced his decision to quit the band in February 1995, only revealing his intentions prior to a European tour. However, his departure was delayed whilst the press for the new 'Sacrifice' album was underway. Würzel wished MOTÖRHEAD well and began to concentrate on his GANG SHOW project featuring ex-THE DOGS D'AMOUR vocalist Tyla and former THUNDER bassist Snake. This outfit put in a batch of London club gigs before folding.

MOTÖRHEAD carried on regardless as a trio, reassembling with Phil Campbell and completing a successful European tour in 1995 with support act GRIP INC. A short batch of well attended British dates strangely saw Pop-Rock band RUB ULTRA supporting. Further American dates with BLACK SABBATH followed before another European tour and shows in South America. Once again aiding his friend OZZY OSBOURNE, Lemmy donated lyrics to the song 'See You On The Other Side' featured on his 'Ozzmosis' album.

1995 ended with Lemmy's 50th birthday in Los Angeles celebrated by a 'Rip' magazine party and an impromptu appearance by METALLICA, billed under the pseudonym of THE LEMMYS. Wearing Lemmy wigs, METALLICA played a half hour set comprising of MOTÖRHEAD songs. Material from this session was recorded and later released as the B side to a METALLICA single 'Hero Of The Day'.

Proving that you can never keep a good band down, MOTÖRHEAD displayed their staying power with the ironically titled 'Overnight Sensation' album released in October 1996. Produced by Howard Benson and Duane Baron, 'Overnight Sensation' had been hammered out at Ocean Studio and Track House Recording Studio. Expanding their repertoire beyond the standard format, Lemmy gained credits for harmonica, on 'Crazy Like A Fox', and acoustic guitar on both 'Listen To Your Heart' and 'Overnight Sensation'.

The resulting American tour gave rise to a MOTÖRHEAD first as the band pulled out of co-headline shows with W.A.S.P. due to personal strains between the two acts. MOTÖRHEAD's persistence was to pay off when later the same year a British tour, supported by NOVOCAINE and DBH, had the band back to sell out status. As 1998 got into gear MOTÖRHEAD, promoting a fresh album in 'Snake Bite Love', again produced by Howard Benson, were back on the touring circuit in America, this time as openers to JUDAS PRIEST. Released in March 1998, 'Snake Bite Love' put the band into the German national charts at number 47 and in Sweden at number 49.

The 1999 re-release of the compilation album 'All The Aces' also included archive recordings of THE MUGGERS from 1978 on an extra CD.

The band rounded off the millennium with a series of European festival dates sharing the bill with MANOWAR, DIO and, in Scandinavia, LION'S SHARE. Back in Los Angeles Lemmy put together a project to pay homage to his 50's Rock n' Roll mentors with ex-STRAY CATS drummer Slim Jim and Danny B. of THE POLECATS. The album 'Lemmy, Slim Jim & Danny B.' surfaced in 2000 and rather disturbingly featured Lemmy sporting a gold lamé suit!

The band's 25th anniversary shows in Britain were supported by American act SPEEDEALER. The London Brixton Academy gig had the band joined onstage by QUEEN guitarist BRIAN MAY, German chanteuse DORO and Ace of SKUNK ANANSIE. The night before Lemmy had got up on stage for another anniversary at the same venue, HAWKWIND's 30th.

The group's 25th anniversary album, 'We Are Motorhead', arrived in May and would include a raucous cover version of the SEX PISTOLS anthem 'God Save The Queen'.

2000 predictably found the band back on the road as headliners in America. Dee found himself in the news when the drummer, along with tour bus driver David Smith, was arrested for 'Disturbing the peace' attempting to break down a hotel door. A scuffle with hotel security led to the arrival of the police and the two spent time in jail, Dee getting out just in time for the next gig in Oregon.

Metal-Is Records would issue yet another in a long line of MOTÖRHEAD compilations although thankfully for fans 'The Best Of Motorhead' did include four previously unreleased live tracks. As well as the regular CD format a limited treble vinyl album also emerged with exclusive artwork from Joe Petagno and a bonus 7" single EP.

The band's gruelling schedule would finally take it's toll on the seemingly indestructible Lemmy in December. MOTÖRHEAD put in Japanese dates upfront of a London Brixton Academy gig after which they departed immediately for European gigs stretching across Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Belorussia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. MOTÖRHEAD then dived straight into yet more gigs. This bout of intensive touring, 39 shows in 48 days, gave no chance for the singer's illness to recover and in Italy Doctors finally called a halt. With Lemmy recuperating in hospital from influenza MOTÖRHEAD were forced to cancel shows.

2001 to 2007

The band's profile would be raised in 2001 as MOTÖRHEAD celebrated a landmark 25 years in the business. Campbell would take time out to session on a 2001 UFO tribute album entitled 'Only UFO Can Rock Me'. MOTÖRHEAD's headlining show at the 2001 German 'Wacken Open Air' festival would nostalgically see the re-employment of the band's infamous 'Bomber' light rig. Touring in the UK during May saw BACKYARD BABIES and Campbell's son Todd's act PSYCHO SQUAD as support. Lemmy would also turn up guesting on German Metal queen DORO's new album on her version of MOTÖRHEAD's 'Love Me Forever' from the '1916' album. Another Lemmy appearance would be rather more low key, adding guest vocals to the title track of melodic Rockers BOETZ's 'Call To Arms' album.

The band's rendition of TWISTED SISTER's 'Shoot 'Em Down' would feature on the Koch summer 2001 tribute album 'Twisted And Strange'. The band themselves signed to the Sanctuary Group label Metal-Is for a new album and once more had all their classics albums ('Ace Of Spades', 'No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith', 'Bomber', 'Iron Fist', 'Overkill', 'Another Perfect Day', 'Orgasmatron', 'Rock 'N' Roll', 'No Sleep At All' and compilations 'All The Aces', 'No Remorse' and 'The Chase Is Better Than The Catch') dusted down for an en masse re-release.

On April 1st, MOTÖRHEAD performed new single 'The Game' live in the Houston Aerodrome for the WWE's Wrestlemania X-7 event. The single was also picked by wrestling star 'Triple H' as his theme music and as such both band and Triple H appeared on the TV programme 'Smackdown' too.

In October the band put in another high profile TV performance, this time on the popular comedy series 'The Drew Carey Show'. MOTÖRHEAD also managed to squeeze in a burst of U.S. headline shows commencing September 27th at the Seattle Showbox. It would also be announced that Lemmy had formed a studio alliance with KISS drummer Eric Singer and DEF LEPPARD guitarist Vivian Campbell to record a version of KISS' 'Shout It Out Loud' for a movie soundtrack.

Promoting the new April 2002 studio album 'Hammered', produced by Bob Marlette and erstwhile MEAT LOAF guitarist Bob Kulick, featured guest appearances from GUNS N' ROSES keyboardist Dizzy Reed on the track 'Mine All Mine', alongside a spoken word vocal duet with WWE wrestler Triple H on 'Serial Killer'. An initial limited variant temptingly offered the attraction of a three track second bonus dualdisc CD / DVD. Accomplished, storming live renditions of both 'Shoot You In the Back' and 'R.A.M.O.N.E.S' gleaned from the 2001 Wacken Open Air concert, paired with the studio cut of wrestler theme 'The Game' composed by James A. Johnston and an insightful 16 minute preview of the newly released 'Boneshaker' DVD. A subsequent limited variant tacked this fresh number at the end of the disc with a live performance of 'Overnight Sensation'. In valuable promotion, the band commenced a round of American touring in Dallas, Texas on April 11th. Support bands for the trek set at MORBID ANGEL and TODAY IS THE DAY. Other studio activity found the band appearing amongst a genuine all star cast donating their take of 'Rockaway Beach' to the 2002 Joey Ramone and ROB ZOMBIE assembled RAMONES tribute album 'We're A Happy Family'.

Castle Records would keep the unending stream of MOTÖRHEAD releases well stoked with the issue of two double CD sets in May. 'Tear Ya Down- The Rarities' comprised of the previously available 'Dirty Love' and 'Stone Dead Forever' collections whilst 'Keep Us On The Road- Live 1977' paired the 'Blitzkrieg On Birmingham' and 'Lock Up Your Daughters' recordings.

In more current activity Phil Campbell would guest onstage with young American band DARK32 at a Hollywood Coconut Teaszer show the same month. Lemmy would make an appearance on HENRY ROLLINS all star album benefiting the convicted killers known as the 'West Memphis Three'. The record was comprised of BLACK FLAG tracks re-recorded by current artists, Lemmy donating his vocals to 'Thirsty And Miserable'. Lemmy would also make his presence felt on the 'Still Hungry?' album by former SKUNK ANANSIE guitarist ACE, vocalising on the track 'One Way Love'.

The band set out European tour dates for October and November, performing with guests ANTHRAX in much bigger venues than they had for a long time. The London Wembley Arena gig added compatriots HAWKWIND to the bill. A lengthy run of Scandinavian shows taking up much of November found MELDRUM as support act. Some bonus publicity came when, quite bizarrely, Lemmy apparently offered to surgically remove his trademark facial nodules and sell them on the internet!

Mikkey Dee stepped in for recording sessions for German Heavy Metal act HELLOWEEN's new album in late 2002, their regular drummer Mark Cross, afflicted with the Epstein-Barr virus, being too ill to perform in the studio. Dee also forged an alliance with Eurodance star E TYPE, actually former HEXENHAUS drummer Martin Eriksson, to perform Metallized Dance club gigs throughout Sweden in January and February 2003. MOTÖRHEAD would be confirmed as one of the headline attractions at the mammoth 'Beast Fest' event in Japan during December of 2002. Lemmy aligned himself with another Rock n' Roll institution on 14th March 2003 when he stepped up onstage at an MC5 reformation gig at London's 100 Club to take guest lead vocals alongside other high profile stars. MOTÖRHEAD headline US shows along the West Coast in April of 2003 found THE DWARVES and HIGH ON FIRE as support prior to hooking up with ANTHRAX in May for a batch of co-headliners. In the midst of this run Phil Campbell was forced out due to the passing of his mother. The band pulled in former DANZIG guitarist Todd Schofield to cover gigs in Norfolk, Virginia and Worcester, Massachusetts until Campbell's return. Higher profile US dates commencing in July saw the band co-headlining a strong package tour allied with IRON MAIDEN and DIO. UK headline shows for October saw THE WILDHEARTS as support.

The band participated in the making of a mammoth 99 track, career-spanning box set entitled 'Stone Deaf Forever!' launched that same month through the Sanctuary label. To stem a glut of unsanctioned compilation releases the group and the fan club assembled a definitive track listing, which included a 60 page booklet, newly commissioned artwork from longtime MOTÖRHEAD artist Joe Petagno and no less than 19 previously unreleased tracks.

It would be learned in November that LEMMY was working on inaugural solo album at Berlin's Monongo studios, owned by the frontman's favoured German rockers SKEW SISKIN. Lemmy had recently collaborated with SKEW SISKIN on the track 'Shake Me' on their 'Album Of The Year' record and MOTÖRHEAD and SKEW SISKIN united for a tour of Germany and Switzerland beginning on November 25th at the Berlin Columbiahalle. Lemmy would also donate vocal tracks to a version of the KISS classic 'Shout It Out Loud' for a tribute album 'Spin The Bottle' in 2004.

MOTÖRHEAD played the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden in London in February. The band's show at the invitation only Vilar Floral Hall at the home of classical opera was part of a publicity campaign to boost tourism to the British capital. Shortly after, MOTÖRHEAD drummer Mikkey Dee put in a further performance with Swedish Pop act E-TYPE as part of the Scandinavian superstar's backing band for the Swedish Eurovision Song Contest. Lemmy recorded a couple of songs with new act YOUNG HEART ATTACK, one of which - a take on AC/DC's 'Get It Hot' - was featured on the band's March single 'Tommy Shots'.

A new MOTÖRHEAD album, initially given a working title of 'Flames' then 'Inferno', would be scheduled for June 2004 release, issued through the band's by now consistent partners the Sanctuary subsidiary Metal Is Records in the USA and in Europe via SPV/Steamhammer Records. Legendary guitar virtuoso STEVE VAI would donate a guest solo to the track 'Terminal Show'. Also laid down would be a version of METALLICA's 'Whiplash', contributed to the Big Deal Records tribute 'Metallic Attack'. The 'Inferno' album fared well upon release across Europe, even breaking into the national German top ten.

European gigs throughout November and December would be lent heavyweight support by SEPULTURA and Swedish act THE RING. However, a batch of announced US dates would be cancelled due to an aggraveted foot injury sustained by Lemmy. A surprise guest at the band's November 27th London Hammersmith Apollo gig would be ex-guitarist WURZEL, joining them for an encore of 'Overkill'.

The band took an unexpected diversion into the world of cult cartoons, re-recording their song 'You Better Run' under the new title 'You Better Swim' for inclusion on the 'SpongeBob Squarepants' movie soundtrack. In December the MOTÖRHEAD cover track 'Whiplash' would be nominated in the 'Best Metal Performance' category for the 47th annual Grammy Awards. Ironically, the track won the category.

Mikkey Dee took an unexpected diversion by guesting of Christian band LIBERTY N' JUSTICE's 'Soundtrack Of A Soul' album. MOTÖRHEAD's US tour dates commencing in March 2005 saw CORROSION OF CONFORMITY and BRAND NEW SIN as support. West Coast dates had FOZZY as additional support with 3 INCHES OF BLOOD acting as openers in Canada. On April 3rd 2005, the band performed 'The Game' at Wrestlemania 21 at the Los Angeles Staples Centre, the theme tune for Triple H for his world heavyweight championship match against Batista.

MOTÖRHEAD's 30th Anniversary show, held on 16th June at the traditional stamping ground of the Hammersmith Apollo in London, saw a renewing of old ties with GIRLSCHOOL as support. This alliance, adding Swedes IN FLAMES, also toured the UK throughout October and December. Subsequent European and Scandinavian gigs had MELDRUM and MONDO GENERATOR opening. To coincide, Sanctuary Records issued a deluxe two disc version of the 'Bomber' album, adding alternate versions and live tracks. A promotional video for the track 'Whorehouse Blues' notably featured MELDRUM frontwoman Moa Holmsten.

Lemmy's larger than life persona would be employed in the unlikely company of England football star Gary Lineker and model Lucy Pinder when the MOTÖRHEAD frontman filmed a series of commercial for Walker's Crisps in late June. Shortly afterward, MOTÖRHEAD's live schedule was interrupted, being forced to withdraw from the 'With Full Force' festival, when Lemmy was hospitalised in Germany for "circulation problems". A subsequent press release revealed the singer was suffering from "extreme dehydration leading to exhaustion".

A 30th anniversary DVD, entitled 'Stage Fright', compiled footage from the band's 7th December 2004 show in Düsseldorf, Germany alongside a second documentary disc. Yet another in a long line of tribute records, 'Remember Me Now, I'm Motörhead', through Scatboy, proved of interest as, amongst covers by the likes of THE ORANGE JULIANS, PALE HORSE, EMPIRE FALLS, HAMMERCOCKS and ORDAINED, it included Larry Wallis' original MOTÖRHEAD demo tape for the track 'Old Enough To Know Better, But Much Too Young To Care'. Meantime, MOTÖRHEAD guitarist Phil Campbell made a guest appearance on 'Bulletproof', the major label debut from Detroit rapper HUSH.

Lemmy and Phil Campbell, alongside FISHBONE and SUICIDAL TENDENCIES guitarist Rocky George, QUIET RIOT bassist Chuck Wright and the URIAH HEEP and AC/DC credited Chris Slade on drums, also guested on an interpretation of IRON MAIDEN's 'The Trooper', appearing on the album 'Numbers From the Beast: An All-Star Tribute to Iron Maiden'.

UK touring would be punctuated by an unusual event when, on the day of a concert in Cardiff, Lemmy accepted an invitation by Conservative politician William Graham to address the Welsh assembly on the subject of drug abuse. Controversially, Lemmy, who revealed he had lost friends and acquaintances due to heroin abuse, used the speech to advocate legalising heroin in order to "wipe out dealers and stop criminalising young people".

The band closed out the year with a joint package tour of Australia allied with MÖTLEY CRÜE in December. A show on the 10th, in Perth, the two bands united to play an encore rendition of the SEX PISTOLS anthem 'Anarchy In The UK'. Meantime, 2005 would be capped by news that Lemmy and the infamous "Skullpig" were to be rendered in 3D form by the Stevenson Entertainment Group.

The band employed MELDRUM as opening act once again for a run of US House of Blues dates in March 2006. The group's influence on the international Rock scene would be honoured in rather unexpected fashion in a location close to Lemmy's heart. His home of Angelsey in Wales announced the planning of the 'Nantymoel Motörhead' tribute festival for June. Not only would this involve traditional Rock outfits but also a male voice choir was to perform 'Ace Of Spades'. Meantime, Mikkey Dee briefly rejoined his former KING DIAMOND colleagues at the Kåren venue in Gothenburg, Sweden on April 21st to perform 'Halloween' during the encore.

Sanctuary Music re-issued three classic MOTÖRHEAD albums in March, 1983's 'Another Perfect Day', 1986's 'Orgasmatron' and 1987's 'Rock n' Roll' all adding secondary discs loaded with extra material. 'Another Perfect Day' added a live concert recording from a June 10th 1983 Manchester Apollo concert, 'Orgasmatron's second disc comprised B-sides plus the group's set from the 'Kerrang! Wooargh Weekender' festival held in Great Yarmouth on October 13th 1984 whilst 'Rock n' Roll' came complete with B-sides and a thirteen song set from the 'Monsters Of Rock' event at Castle Donington on August 16th 1986.

The May issued 'WWE : Wreckless Intent' compilation, featuring WWE wrestling themes showcased throughout the company's 'Smackdown!', 'Raw', 'Saturday Night's Main Event' and pay per view extraganza flagship formats, boasted the previously unreleased track 'King Of Kings', yet another song composed for WWE wrestler Triple H.

Lemmy, Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee Alice all guested on metalized versions of THE BEATLES songs for the Restless Records tribute album 'Butchering The Beatles' released in October. Dee put down drums on 'Hey Bulldog', this track also featuring guitarist STEVE VAI, VELVET REVOVER bassist DUFF McKAGAN and ALICE COOPER. Lemmy fronted up 'Back In The USSR' with ex-MARILYN MANSON guitarist JOHN 5 plus KISS and ALICE COOPER drummer Eric Singer. Phil Campbell contributed guitar to 'I Saw Her Standing There', fronted by Jon Corabi of UNION and MÖTLEY CRÜE with C.C. Deville of POISON also on guitar, Chris Chaney of JANE'S ADDICTION on bass and Kenny Aronoff on drums.

MOTÖRHEAD's August 2006 album 'Kiss Of Death' entered the Swedish national charts at number 13, the band's highest ever position in that territory. Within days it became clear that the new record was giving the band a very real rejuvenation, charting strongly across all of Europe including entering the Norwegian charts at number 9, their highest position in that country, and a highest entry ever in their longstanding stronghold of Germany at number 4. Meantime, Lemmy guested on MELDRUM album recordings, donating lead vocals and lyrics on the song 'Miss Me When I'm Gone'.

Lemmy's iconic mainstream status was confirmed in unexpected fashion during October when Swedish scientist Dr. Mats E. Eriksson, an associate Professor of Paleontology in the Department of Geology at Lund University, named a newly discovered 428 million yearold fossilized marine polychaete annelid worm that he found in the Silurian strata of Gotland with the Latin name 'Kalloprion Kilmisteri'. MOTÖRHEAD UK headline concerts in November saw support from CLUTCH.

MOTÖRHEAD opened live work for 2007 with a lengthy string of French dates in May. The group then took on European festivals throughout June and July such as 'Sweden Rock', the Nijmegan 'Fields of Rock' in Holland, the Zaragoza 'Monsters of Rock' in Spain, Zrenjanin's 'Road Fest' event in Serbia and the Kreuth 'Earthshaker Fest' in Germany.

In what was undoubtedly the strongest Heavy Metal touring package in many years, the band teamed up with TESTAMENTJUDAS PRIEST, TESTAMENTHEAVEN AND HELL, and TESTAMENT for a 16 date 'Metal Masters' US tour kicking off on August 6th 2008. MOTÖRHEAD released the 'Motörizer' album through SPV Records on 26th August in the USA and 29th August in Europe. The drum tracks had been notably recorded at FOO FIGHTERS frontman/ex-NIRVANA drummer Dave Grohl's Studio 606 in Northridge, California with producer Cameron Webb.

'Motörizer' sold over 6,400 copies in its first week of sales to land at no. 82 on the national US Billboard charts. The album scored well globally, registering first-week chart positions in Germany, no. 5, Finland, no. 9, Sweden no.10, Hungary, Norway and Switzerland at no.11, Austria at no.13, Denmark at no.20, France at no.24, UK no. 32, Canada no. 33, Czech Republic no.41, Belgium no.55, Holland no.58 and Italy at no.69.

The group hooked up familiar touring partners SAXON with support DANKO JONES for a co-headline tour of the UK and Germany in November and December. MOTÖRHEAD's announced participation in the 'Musink' US tour with SOCIAL DISTORTION, which was scheduled to launch 30th January 2009. However, this was cancelled due to the global economic climate.

MOTÖRHEAD were confirmed as the headliner of next the Dubai 'Desert Rock' festival, taking place on 6th March 2009 at Dubai Festival City in the United Arab Emirates, supported by OPETH, CHIMAIRA, ARCH ENEMY, AUGUST BURNS RED and NERVECELL. Lemmy and Phil Campbell joined TWISTED SISTER on stage at the Sweden Rock festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden on 4th June 2009 to guest on a cover version of the ROLLING STONES classic 'It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It)'.

Mikkey Dee sat out most of the band's 2009 North American tour in order to take part in the first season of 'Kändisdjungeln', the Swedish version of the popular U.K. and U.S. reality TV show 'I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!' His position was duly subbed out to the GUNS N' ROSES and VELVET REVOLVER credited Matt Sorum.

Garry Sharpe-Young