Hawkwind
Hawkwind are an English rock band known as one of the earliest space rock groups. Since their formation in November 1969, Hawkwind have gone through many incarnations and have incorporated many different styles into their music, including hard rock, progressive rock and psychedelic rock. They are regarded as an influential proto-punk band.[5] Their lyrics often cover themes of urban life and science fiction.
Hawkwind
Hawkwind Zoo, Sonic Assassins, Hawklords, Psychedelic Warriors, Group X, Hawkwind Light Orchestra, The Elves of Silbury Hill
Ladbroke Grove, London, England
1969–present
UA, Charisma, Bronze, RCA/Active, Flicknife, GWR, EBS, Voiceprint, Cherry Red
- Dave Brock
- Richard Chadwick
- Magnus Martin
- Thighpaulsandra
- Doug MacKinnon
Many musicians, dancers and writers have worked with the band since their inception. Notable musicians who have performed in Hawkwind include Lemmy, Ginger Baker, Robert Calvert, Nik Turner and Huw Lloyd-Langton, but the band are most closely associated with their singer, songwriter and guitarist Dave Brock, who founded the band and is the only remaining original member.[6]
Hawkwind are best known for the song "Silver Machine", which became a number-three UK hit single in 1972, and they had further chart singles with "Urban Guerrilla" (another Top 40 hit) and "Shot Down in the Night". The band had a run of twenty-two of their albums charting in the UK from 1971 to 1993,[7] and another eight between 2012 and 2023.
Influence and legacy[edit]
Hawkwind have been cited as an influence by artists such as Al Jourgensen of Ministry,[59] Monster Magnet,[60] the Sex Pistols (who covered "Silver Machine"),[61] Henry Rollins and Dez Cadena of Black Flag,[62] Siobhan Fahey,[63] Ty Segall,[64] The Mekano Set,[65] and Ozric Tentacles.[66]
Hard rock musician Lemmy of the band Motörhead gained a lot from his tenure in Hawkwind. He said, "I really found myself as an instrumentalist in Hawkwind. Before that I was just a guitar player who was pretending to be good, when actually I was no good at all. In Hawkwind I became a good bass player. It was where I learned I was good at something."[67]
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard told Total Guitar[68] that they were "...were listening to Hawkwind a lot" (while making their space rock album Nonagon Infinity).
In an interview with The Guardian in 2016, the band was cited as being an influence to the American avant-garde metal group Neurosis.[69]
Current members
