Silver Machine

When you hear the unique name (more specifically nickname) “Lemmy”, what pops into your head? A Rickenbacker bass…a big dude with a wart on his face…the band Motörhead? Maybe all of the above.

I never knew too much about the guy or Motörhead before watching the 2010 film biography called “Lemmy”, but I have some appreciation for him now. If nothing else, this film turned me on to the song “Silver Machine” by his pre-Motörhead band called Hawkwind. Hawkwind is usually described as space rock…whatever that means.

I liked this song the first time I heard it. Sure, there are spacey elements on the recording, but it’s basically a boogie woogie rock and roll song. That said, lyrically, it’s a unique piece of work. It’s not that I can’t remember the lyrics, they’re just different enough to keep it interesting.

If you think the song couldn’t get any freakier, you should hear the version recorded by William Shatner.

By the way, this isn’t my favorite track on Shatner’s “Seeking Major Tom” album, but it seemed relevant. Getting back to the Hawkwind version, Lemmy didn’t originally sing the lead vocal. That was handled by songwriter/Hawkwind bandmate Robert Calvert. Sylvia MacManus also shares a songwriting credit on “Silver Machine.”

Lemmy said he was kicked out of Hawkwind for “drug snobbery”… meaning his bandmates were doing certain drugs while he was doing others. What a way to go. Incidentally, the visual of “Silver Machine” is also forever tied to this six foot tall gal named “Stacia” who used to dance on stage with Hawkwind. I guess buying her a tambourine wasn’t really necessary.

Till next time, keep your Mojo on the Horizon!