• 1969-

  Dave BrockVocals, guitar1969-

  Nik TurnerSaxophone, flute1969- 1976, 1982–1984

  Huw Lloyd-LangtonVocals, guitar1969–1971-1979–1988

  Robert CalvertVocals1971-1979

  Lemmy KilmisterBass, vocals1971-1975

  Simon KingDrums1971-1980

  Simon HouseKeyboards1973–1978, 1989–1991

  Ginger BakerDrums1980-1981

  Richard ChadwickDrums1988-

  Magnus MartinGuitar2016-

  ThighpaulsandraKeyboards2021-

  Doug MacKinnonBass2021-
• Hawkwind formed in 1969 under the name Group X, launched by former London street busker Dave Brock, who would become the band's constant navigator through decades of lineup changes and musical evolution. After changing their name to Hawkwind Zoo, they finally settled on Hawkwind.
• Brock's early vision blended hard rock, psychedelia, and sci-fi themes into a swirling new sound that would later be called "space rock," a genre Hawkwind is widely credited with inventing.
• In 1970, the band played outside the fence of the Isle of Wight Festival in protest of the high ticket prices. Their anti-commercial stance, playing for free to the masses, earned them serious counterculture credibility. According to lore, Jimi Hendrix was spotted in the crowd watching them.
• Hawkwind released their first single in 1970. "Hurry On Sundown" is a folky, effects-laden track urging us to let go of the daily grind and chase the sunset. It was followed by their self-titled debut album, a dense, experimental slab of sonic exploration that hinted at the band's mind-expanding future.
• By 1972, Hawkwind had built a loyal cult following and were headlining venues like London's Roundhouse in Chalk Farm. At a gig known as the Greasy Truckers Party (basically Woodstock in a railway depot), they recorded what would become their breakout hit: "Silver Machine." The track rocketed to #3 on the UK chart in June 1972, introducing the band's psychedelic spacecraft to a much wider audience.
• The success of "Silver Machine" funded their now-legendary Space Ritual tour, an immersive multimedia experience unlike anything audiences had seen. The tour featured narrative and poetry from sci-fi author Michael Moorcock and visionary frontman Bob Calvert, surreal stage design by Barney Bubbles, lighting wizardry by Liquid Len, and a full-on sensory assault of music, dancers, and cosmic visuals. It became the template for all future Hawkwind shows: part concert, part interstellar theater, all unforgettable.
• Before Lemmy Kilmister became a rock legend with Motörhead, he was Hawkwind's bassist from 1971 to 1975. Lemmy originally joined the band even though he didn't know how to play bass at the time; he just said yes when asked. His raw energy and distorted tone would help define Hawkwind's harder-edged space rock sound until he was kicked out of the band following an arrest for drug possession in Canada.
• Lemmy penned the song "Motorhead" in 1974 in Los Angeles while on tour. It was the B-side of Hawkwind's March 1975 single "Kings of Speed," marking the final original composition Lemmy contributed before being dismissed from the band. After being sacked from Hawkwind, Lemmy named his new band Motörhead after the song, despite Hawkwind retaining the publishing rights - hence the umlaut added for legal reasons.
• Neil, the hippy played by Nigel Planer in the BBC comedy The Young Ones, mentions Hawkwind as one of his favorite bands in the 1984 episode "Summer Holiday."
• Few bands have rotated through as many musicians as Hawkwind. The lineup has been famously fluid, with over 70 past members. Only Dave Brock has remained throughout. Brock once joked that "being in Hawkwind is like joining a traveling circus in space."

Comments

More Songfacts:

Fight SongRachel Platten

Rachel Platten refused to talk politics when her "Fight Song" became the anthem for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, a decision she came to regret.

Crazy In LoveBeyoncé

Jay-Z did the rap on "Crazy In Love" at the last minute. He and Beyoncé had started dating and the Texan songstress asked him to get on the song the night before she had to turn in her album.

When I'm 64The Beatles

In The Beatles' "When I'm 64," Paul McCartney asks a woman if she'll still be there for him when he's 64. In 2006, he got his answer when shortly before his 64th birthday, he and Heather Mills separated.

Born In The U.S.A.Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen's "Born In The U.S.A." was inspired by the book (later a movie) Born On The Fourth Of July by Ron Kovic, a Vietnam veteran who protested the war when he returned home.

Take Me to the RiverAl Green

Al Green's "Take Me to the River" describes a baptism. Two years later, he became a reverend.

Freak On A LeashKorn

Korn's most popular song, "Freak On A Leash," is about their predatory record label making huge profits off the band. It was quite profitable, helping the Follow The Leader album sell over 5 million copies.

Editor's Picks

Art Alexakis of EverclearSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer of Everclear, Art is also their primary songwriter.

La La Brooks of The CrystalsSong Writing

The lead singer on "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me," La La explains how and why Phil Spector replaced The Crystals with Darlene Love on "He's A Rebel."

Trans Soul Rebels: Songs About TransgenderismSong Writing

A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.

Lajon Witherspoon of SevendustSongwriter Interviews

The Sevendust frontman talks about the group's songwriting process, and how trips to the Murder Bar helped forge their latest album.

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.