Album Sleeve Notes, Part 9
							Hawkwind were the final act to appear at the Greasy Truckers Party, and in truth were the band most of the audience had come to hear.  Much has been written about this legendary British group, much of it inaccurate [...read on...] but all of it adding to the Hawkwind myth.  Formed in 1969 by ex-busker Dave Brock in the Ladbroke Grove area of London, Hawkwind originally came together following a mind-blowing performance at All Saints Hall in Notting Hill where the band appeared as Group X.  This original line-up of Brock (guitar, lead vocals), Nik Turner (saxophone, flute, vocals), John Harrison (bass), Terry Ollis (drums), Dik Mik (electronics and audio generator) and Mick Slattery (lead guitar) came to the attention of manager Dough Smith who suggested a change of name.  After briefly flirting with Hawkwind Zoo, the group settled on Hawkwind (also Turner's nickname due to
		his habit of clearing his throat and breaking wind).  Slattery soon departed to be replace by Huw Lloyd-Langton on lead guitar and it was this line-up that record the band's self-titled first album in 1970.  Produced by ex-Pretty Things guitarist Dick Taylor, "Hawkwind" made an immediate impact which was further increased by the band performing numerous free concerts for hippy causes up and down the UK.  By the time of the band's second album "In Search Of Space", Hawkwind had refined their extended cosmic rock jams and had tightened into a more cohesive unit.  John Harrison was replaced by ex-Amon Duul II member Dave Anderson and Huw Lloyd-Langton departed the fold.  "In Search Of Space" became the first Hawkwind album to chart, the first of a long series of successful and influential recordings.  By January 1972 Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister had joined a s bass guitarist and Simon King had replaced Terry Ollis on drums.  By February 13th 1972 Hawkwind's line-up had been expanded still further to include poet Robert Calvert, synthesizer player Del Dettmar and dancer Stacia (whose penchant for removing all of her clothing whilst performing added to hr band's notoriety).  Hawkwind had already acquired the status of being underground champions and a "people's" band thanks to their appearance at the Glastonbury Fayre on June 23rd 1971. After many problems with electrical power, Hawkwind took to the stage with a stunning rendition of the poem "Earth Calling" before launching into a frenzied version of "You Shouldn't Do That".  Their set was a cycle of songs and poems segued into one another, a precursor to the heights achieved on the Space Ritual tour later that year.  After renditions of "The Awakening", "Master Of The Universe" and "Paranoia", Hawkwind debuted a new song "Silver Machine".  Embryonic in form, the Roundhouse performance featured was notably different to the version of the song eventually released a a single some months later.  By this time the Roundhouse recording had been transferred to another eight-tack tape, a vocal overdub by Lemmy was recorded (replacing the chanting Robert Calvert vocal) and lyrics rewritten, resulting in a top five hit for Hawkwind.  The original live recording of "Silver Machine" later resurfaced on the triple album set "Glastonbury Fayre" later in 1972.  The Roundhouse set was completed with an ear-shattering climax of "Welcome To The Future".  Continuous please for an encore from the audience were rewarded with stunning versions of "Born To Go" and an instrumental that later served as the basis for the Hawkwind classic "Brainstorm" on their next album, "Doremi Fasol Latido".  With their acclaimed performance at the Greasy Truckers Party, Hawkwind's success continued with the live double album "Space Ritual" peaking at number 9 in the UK chart.  By 1974's "Hall Of The Mountain Grill" both Del Dettmar [...wrong!...] and Dik Mik had gone, replaced by ex- High Tide and Third Ear Band member Simon House on violin and keyboards.  1975's "Warrior On The Edge Of Time" was the final Hawkwind album for United Artists after which Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister departed the band to form Motorhead.  Replaced by ex-Pink Fairies member Paul Rudolph, the band signed to Tony Stratton-Smith's Charisma label.  Hawkwind continued to enjoy commercial success throughout the seventies and well into the 1980's.  Line-ups continued to come and go with Dave Brock always firmly at the helm of spaceship Hawkwind.  The band continued to enjoy a fanatical following to this day, something that few bands can claim.  -Mark Powell
	Chats & Interviews <|> Gig/Tour/Festival Reviews <|> CD/DVD/Book Reviews <|> Photo Galleries Free Hawkwind Downloads <|> Resources <|> Other Features News <|> Links <|> Search <|> Site Map <|> Home