List of Motörhead band members
The English rock band Motörhead were formed in London in 1975 when singer/bassist Lemmy (Ian Kilmister) left the band Hawkwind. On the advice of Mick Farren, he recruited former Pink Fairies guitarist/singer Larry Wallis and drummer Lucas Fox.
The original line-up was short-lived and Wallis and Fox were replaced by Eddie Clarke and Phil Taylor respectively, this line-up lasting for six years, producing six albums and becoming the band's most commercially successful and critically acclaimed incarnation. Clarke was replaced for one album by former Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson.
In 1984, Lemmy remained the only member when the band was reconstituted with two guitarists, Würzel (Michael Burston) and Phil Campbell, and former Saxon drummer Pete Gill. Gill's tenure lasted three years, when he was replaced by the returning Taylor. Taylor was with the band for a further five years, then in 1992 was replaced by former King Diamond drummer Mikkey Dee. In 1995, guitarist Würzel departed leaving Campbell as the sole guitarist in a power trio. Since then, the band's line-up remained stable until December 2015, when Lemmy died of cancer.
The band have on occasion collaborated with other bands, such as The Damned as Motördamn, Girlschool as Headgirl and Plasmatics. They have also welcomed various guest contributors to both their live appearances and studio recordings, including: Slash and Dizzy Reed (Guns N' Roses); Ozzy Osbourne (Black Sabbath); Steve Vai; the professional wrestler Triple H; C. C. DeVille (Poison), Mike Inez (Alice in Chains); Whitfield Crane (Ugly Kid Joe); Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy); Doro Pesch (Warlock); Brian May (Queen); Ace (Skunk Anansie); Bernie Marsden (Whitesnake).
Members
Official
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister | 1975–2015 | bass, lead vocals | all Motörhead releases | |
Larry Wallis | 1975–1976 | lead guitar, backing vocals | On Parole (1975) | |
Lucas Fox | 1975 | drums | On Parole (1975) – "Lost Johnny" only | |
Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor | 1975–1984 1987–1992 |
drums | all Motörhead releases from On Parole (1975) to Another Perfect Day (1983) and from Rock 'n' Roll (1987) to March ör Die (1992) – "I Ain't No Nice Guy" only | |
"Fast" Eddie Clarke | "Fast" Eddie Clarke | 1976–1982 | lead guitar, backing vocals | all Motörhead releases from Motörhead (1977) to Iron Fist (1982) |
Brian "Robbo" Robertson | 1982–1983 | lead guitar, rhythm guitar | Another Perfect Day (1983) | |
Phil "Wizzö" Campbell | 1984–2015 | lead guitar, backing vocals, rhythm guitar | all Motörhead releases from Orgasmatron (1986) | |
Michael "Würzel" Burston | 1984–1995 | rhythm guitar, lead guitar | all Motörhead releases from Orgasmatron (1986) to Sacrifice (1995) | |
Pete Gill | 1984–1987 | drums | Orgasmatron (1986) | |
Mikkey Dee | 1992–2015 | drums, percussion | all Motörhead releases from March ör Die (1992) – "Hellraiser" only |
Other
Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tommy Aldridge | 1992 (session) | drums | March ör Die (1992) | |
Garry Bowler | 1992 (session) | drums | "March ör Die" (1992) – "Stand demo track" only | |
Todd Youth | 2003 (touring) | guitar | none, filling in for three dates on Motörhead's tour of the United States, as Phil Campbell's mother had died and he was unable to continue on tour. | |
Matt Sorum | 2009 (touring) | drums | none, filling in for Mikkey Dee as drummer on Motörhead's 2009 US tour. Dee took part in Kändisdjungeln, a Swedish version of I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!. |