• 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:

Pinball WizardThe Who

Pete Townshend wrote The Who's "Pinball Wizard" to coax a good review for the Tommy album out of a rock critic who loved pinball. It worked.

We Built This CityStarship

Elton John's songwriting partner Bernie Taupin wrote the original lyrics for Starship's "We Built This City." It was the first Hot 100 Top 10 hit Taupin wrote without John.

Bitter Sweet SymphonyThe Verve

"Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve samples an obscure orchestral arrangement of the 1965 Rolling Stones song "The Last Time." The Verve had to sign away most of the royalties before they could release the song.

We Are Never Ever Getting Back TogetherTaylor Swift

"We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" by Taylor Swift earned an entry in the 2014 edition of the Guinness Book of Records for the fastest-selling digital single. It reached the #1 spot on iTunes just 50 minutes after its release.

A Little Less ConversationElvis Presley

Elvis Presley's "A Little Less Conversation" was just a minor hit when it was released in 1968, but a 2002 remix made the song a global smash, taking it to #1 in a number of countries, including Australia and the UK.

Love ShackThe B-52s

A pre-famous Rupaul is in the video for "Love Shack" by The B-52s. He had a solo hit with "Supermodel" a few years later.

Editor's Picks

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

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