Hawkwind Press Releases, Part 15

Hawkwind Press Releases, Part 15

Thanks again to Wilfried Schuesler for the two American press releases shown here. The first originated from the West Coast (Los Angeles) in 1978, and the second from New York City in 1990...Once again I've retyped the text from the images, which are somewhat hard to read...

The Howard Bloom Organization, Ltd. : For Immediate Release

Drummer Simon King has rejoined Charisma Records' group Hawklords. King, along with Bob Calvert and Dave Brock, was a founding member of Hawkwind which has since become Hawklords.

The Hawklords have just released their first single, Psi Power, off their recently released LP, Hawklords on Charisma Records (distributed by Polydor Records in the U.S.) The group has just completed a 34-date tour in the U.K. that brought them before audiences totaling over 75,000. Melody Maker reported that the London audience at Hammersmith Odeon "went absolutely bananas, and gave the band the kind of reception that hasn't been seen at Hammersmith for many a gig."

Roadrunner Records press release, 19th October 1990:

Hawkwind has been around for 532 years. They have released 638 albums, and they have had 1,324 members pass through the band, including John Coltrane, Gene Autry, Ethel Merman, The Wright Brothers, and Leonardo Da Vinci before he took up painting.

Well, maybe that's a slight exaggeration. Actually, the band has been around for 21 years (which makes them older than most metal radio promo people), and have released 16 albums (6 more than Led Zeppelin). They have had 23 members pass through their ranks over the years, including Lemmy of Motorhead (who was kicked out after a drug bust at the Canadian border), Ginger Baker from Cream, and science fiction author Michael Moorcock, whose 1976 novel "The Time Of The Hawklords" was inspired by the band. Part of their 1972 line-up included Del Dettmar and Dik Mik, who were simply listed on the band roster for "electronics". They've also had dancers and poets as part of the band.

Now, as the rest of us adjust to the nineties, Hawkwind prepare to release Space Bandits, a brand

new album of space age hard rock by the band that knows it better than anyone. Descended from the same seed as Pink Floyd, Hawkwind has maintained a serious cult following over the years, as evidenced by the great turnout for their 1989 tour, their first since the late seventies. If you need more historical detail on the band, continue to read past this page. If not, then just turn on the tape, and hear that Space Bandits keeps Hawkwind as unique now as they were when the group started in 1969.

Hawkwind

Founded by Dave Brock (lead guitar/vocals), Hawkwind were a loose aggregation of hippies; specializing in progressive extemporaneous recitals, they captivated a small but dedicated following in London circa 1969.

In 1970, they released their self-titled debut. Later that year, Hawkwind appeared at the historic Isle Of Wight extravaganza: they weren't on the bill, however, they played for free outside the gates in protest against high admission prices.

Renown for their rallying support of charities and worthwhile causes, Hawkwind's philosophy and lifestyle earned them the distinction of being the "people's band". Their second LP, In Search Of Space, made the British album charts in 1971. After recording the infamous "Greasy Truckers Party" LP at the London Roundhouse in '72, Hawkwind released the million-selling "Silver Machine" single with a line-up that included Lemmy Kilmister (bass, future Motorhead), Simon King (drums), Robert Calvert (poet), Nik Turner (sax), Stacia (dancer), Del Dettmar and Dik Mik (electronics). They also released their third LP, Doremi Fasol Latido.

During this time, Hawkwind had also embarked on the electrifying science-fiction inspired Space Ritual Road Show: Space Ritual Live, recorded at Liverpool Stadium, was released prior to the departure of Dik Mik and Robert Calvert. Joining the rapidly revolving line-up was San Francisco writer Michael Moorcock, whose 1976 novel "The Time Of The Hawklords," was inspired by the band.

Subsequently, Del Dettmar left and was replaced by Simon House. The release of Hall Of The Mountain Grill followed. When Simon King broke several ribs, Alan Powell stepped in and remained with the band upon Simon's return.

In 1975, Warrior On The Edge Of Time was released: though Lemmy (who later formed Motorhead) was fired after being busted for speed at the Canadian border, he was quickly replaced by Paul Rudolph, formerly of the Pink Fairies. Stacia left, Robert Calvert re-joined and 1976 signalled a year of further upheavals. Signing with Charisma Records, Hawkwind released Astounding Sounds, Amazing Music: subsequently, Nik Turner, Paul Rudolph and Alan Powell departed.

The 1976 Roadhawks LP chronicles their early years. United Artists released the Masters Of The Universe compilation in 1977: that year also marked the publication of their second book, "Queens Of Deliria."

During this period, Adrian Shaw joined on bass prior to Charisma's Quark Strangeness and Charm. Following another personnel change -Simon House was replaced by Paul Hayles- as well as an American tour, Brock decided to disband, and sold his guitar to an American fan.

Back in England, Brock formed the Hawklords, and 25 Years On was released. A previously unreleased disc entitled PXR5 also surfaced on Charisma.

Though the Hawklords failed to take off, Brock re-established Hawkwind. The new line-up featured Harvey Bainbridge (bass), Huw Lloyd-Langton ((guitar), Simon King (drums) and Tim Blake on keyboards.

Signing with Bronze in 1980, they released Live '79 and re-captured their fans with ease. Charisma released Repeat Performance, Ginger Baker replaced Simon King, and the release of Levitation followed. Further personnel changes ensued, and Hawkwind signed with RCA, releasing Sonic Attack.

1982 brought the release of Church Of Hawkwind and Choose Your Masques. Signing with Flicknife in 1985, brought about Hawkwind's most successful UK tour.

The Hawkwind saga continues in 1986 with the release of Live Chronicles, a double live album on GWR, and in 1987 the band headlined two extremely successful packages under the banner "Acid Daze", selling out London Finsbury Park and the Leeds Queen Hall.

1988 saw the release of their first studio album in three years, as Xenon Codex was met by the praise of the music press. At this point, Huw Lloyd-Langton decided to pursue his solo career.

In 1989, Richard Chadwick replaced drummer Danny Thompson, and Hawkwind toured the US for the first time since the late seventies, and the solid attendance at the shows verified that their hardcore following had remained fiercely loyal.

Presently, Hawkwind are preparing to release Space Bandits, which is being released on Roadrunner Records world-wide except in England, where it will be out on GWR / Legacy. Recorded this past spring in Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, this album will be followed by tours of both the UK and the US. Prepare.