Formed in London in 1975 by bassist and lead vocalist Lemmy Kilmister, guitarist Larry Wallis and drummer Lucas Fox, Motörhead endured numerous line-up changes throughout their 40-year history with only Lemmy as the sole constant member of the group. Predominantly performing as a ‘power trio’, the best-known (and most commercially successful) line-up consisted of Lemmy, drummer Phil ‘Philthy Animal’ Taylor and ‘Fast’ Eddie Clarke. Credited with revitalising heavy metal in the 1970s and early 80s, Motörhead’s unique approach to the genre influenced many subgenres that later followed, such as both thrash and speed metal. They have released 23 studio albums, 10 live recordings, 12 compilation albums and five EPs with several successful singles charting in the UK Top 40 chart.
To coincide with the release of their fifteenth studio album We Are Motörhead on the 15th May 2000, the band undertook a mammoth 113 date tour of the same name that began in Brazil on 4th May 2000 and ended over a year later on October 5th 2001 in San Diego. By this juncture, the band consisted of Lemmy, guitarist Phil Campbell with Mikkey Dee rounding out the trio on drums. The tour ventured all over the world with dates in almost every continent and a brutally intense schedule, resulting in two 18-hour drives back-to-back and little time off, with the band not even making it to their Warsaw venue until 11pm. The tour also coincided with the 25th anniversary of the band, with a special show taking place at the Brixton Academy on the 22nd October 2000 to commemorate the occasion.
