LEMMY (1975-2015)
LARRY WALLIS (1975-1976)
While still a member of the Pink Fairies, in May 1975 Wallis joined a new band called Motörhead with Lemmy and Lucas Fox. In September 1975 Fox left the band and Motörhead recruited a new drummer, Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor. Wallis recorded an album with the band, On Parole. It remained unreleased until 1979 when Motörhead had established some reputation for themselves. In February 1976 Wallis was joined by "Fast" Eddie Clarke on guitar. Later in the same month Wallis left Motörhead. He passed away on the 19 September, 2019.
”FAST” EDDIE CLARKE (1976-1982)
Clarke was working on re-fitting a houseboat, when he met drummer Phil Taylor, who had recently joined Motörhead. However, according to Kilmister's authorized biography, it appears that Clarke was introduced to Lemmy by a receptionist at the rehearsal studio.
In the early days Eddie rehearsed with Motörhead, before going on the road, at Snobs Rehearsal Studios, part of a converted brewery on the corner of Kings Road and Lots Road, Chelsea, known as the "Furniture Cave". Motörhead's popularity increased along with their UK chart successes. The threesome (Lemmy, Clarke, Taylor) are considered the classic Motörhead line-up.
Clarke left Motörhead in 1982, whilst on tour of the United States. Becoming unhappy at the results of the Iron Fist album, the recording sessions with the Plasmatics were the final straw. Clarke himself later denied this version of events and had said: "[Philthy] was the main instigator in my being excluded from the band. Notice I do not call it leaving, as it was not my choice. I had imagined dying onstage with Motörhead, so it was a blow when they didn't want me in the band any longer.”
BRIAN ROBERTSON (1982-1983)
In May 1982, Robertson replaced "Fast" Eddie Clarke as the lead guitarist of Motörhead, after Clarke walked out of the band midway through their Iron Fist tour. "That felt totally uncertain," Robertson later told Classic Rock. "It only came about because I was helping out some friends and, when they asked me to join officially, I said, 'Okay, but I'm not fucking rewriting the Ace of Spades.'"Following the completion of the tour, Robertson co-wrote and played on the band's sixth studio album, Another Perfect Day, which would prove to be his only studio album with the group. Robertson's resistance to playing "classic" Motörhead songs live, along with a playing style and a fashion sense (he often sported a headband and leg warmers) that did not fit well with Motörhead's aggressive music and look, resulted in his departure from the band just 18 months after he had joined. His last appearance with them was at the Metropol in Berlin, on 11 November 1983.
PHIL CAMPBELL (1984-2015)
On 8 February 1984, following the departure of Brian Robertson, Motörhead held auditions for a new guitarist, narrowing the candidates down to two guitarists: Michael "Würzel" Burston and Philip Campbell. Though Lemmy had first planned on hiring only one guitarist, he hired both Würzel and Campbell upon hearing them play together.
WÜRZEL (1984-1995)
On 8 February 1984, following the departure of Brian Robertson, Motörhead held auditions for a new guitarist, narrowing the candidates down to two guitarists: Michael "Würzel" Burston and Philip Campbell. Though Lemmy had first planned on hiring only one guitarist, he hired both Würzel and Campbell upon hearing them play together.
Würzel saw a number of changes to the band's line-up, each involving the drummer, until he left in 1995. Although he played on the album Sacrifice, Würzel left Motörhead before the tour. Instead of replacing him, the band reverted to a three-piece line-up.
LUCAS FOX (1975)
In 1975, Fox picked up Lemmy from London Airport after he was sacked from Hawkwind. Lemmy, Fox and Larry Wallis started a new band named Bastards, however the band's name was quickly changed to Motörhead following a suggestion by the band's manager Doug Smith. The band started by supporting Greenslade at the roundhouse on 20 July performing cover versions except ‘Motörhead’ (Lemmy), ‘On Parole’ and ‘City Kids’ (Larry Wallis). Fox was the drummer for six months before being replaced during their first album at Rockfield Studios, Monmouth, Wales, recording sessions by Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor. Fox's drumming appeared on the On Parole album track "Lost Johnny" which, unlike the rest of the songs Fox recorded for the album, were not overdubbed with Taylor's drums.
PHIL "PHILTHY” TAYLOR (1975-1984, 1987-1992)
He joined Motörhead and replaced Lucas Fox during the recording of the band's first album On Parole in 1975. Lemmy has said that Fox was not working out and Taylor "had a car and could give us a lift back down to the studio". Taylor, in turn, introduced Lemmy to guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clarke, having worked with him while painting a houseboat.
Taylor left Motörhead in 1984, but returned in 1987. He said "I always regretted leaving. Let's just say I took a three-year holiday.” He continued playing in the group until 1992. After having been warned three times in the previous two years "to get his act together", he was fired after recording "I Ain't No Nice Guy", because of his poor performance.
PETER GILL (1984-1987)
Gill was one of the original member of Saxon between 1978-1981. He was then in Motörhead from 1984 to 1987. During that time his recordings with the group were the four new tracks of the compilation No Remorse; the live video The Birthday Party; and one full album, Orgasmatron. The band also toured extensively during the time Gill was a member.
MIKKEY DEE (1992-2015)
While King Diamond was touring with Motörhead, frontman Lemmy repeatedly asked Dee to join his band. In 1992, Dee accepted, replacing Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor.
Dee's first gig with the band was on 30 August 1992 at Saratoga Performing Arts Center in New York. He did not have much input on that year's March ör Die album which had been recorded with Tommy Aldridge prior to Dee joining. Dee played on the band's albums Hellraiser and Hell on Earth – the soundtrack for Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth. Although Aldridge recorded most of the drum tracks, Dee's photo appeared on the rear album sleeve. Aldridge said that Dee could take credit for the playing but Dee declined, citing differing styles.
Following Lemmy's death in December 2015, Dee announced that Motörhead had disbanded.