And so the so-called classic trio is no more. The last remaining member of iconic heavy metal band Motörhead best known line up, ‘fast’ Eddie Clarke has died, aged 67. He was being treated in hospital for pneumonia and was confirmed by the band’s manager Todd Singerman. It follows the death of Ian ‘Lemmy’ Kilmister and Philthy Phil Taylor in 2015.
Clarke was born Edward Allen Clarke on October 5th 1950, and joined Motörhead for six glorious years (1976-82) after stints in Zeus, Blue Goose and Continuous Performance. His bluesy style, inspired by Eric Clapton, John Mayall and the like, fitted in perfectly and are sprawled over the four classic albums recorded during his tenure – Motörhead (1977), Bomber (1979), Overkill (also 1979) and Ace of Spades (1980).
Clarke threw himself into the rock and roll lifestyle of drink and drugs already firmly inhabited by Lemmy and Phil Taylor, needing a spell in rehab to finally kick his demons, and he was stung by his (at least percieved by him) removal from the band, or as he described it his ‘exclusion’ principally by Taylor. Subsequently he formed fastway, who recorded a handful of albums to mixed response – filling his time with guest spots, solo records and Motörhead reunions.
On the official Motörhead Facebook page, a statement said ‘We are devastated to pass on the news we only just heard ourselves earlier tonight…Edward Allan Clarke – or as we all know and love him Fast Eddie Clarke – passed away peacefully yesterday. Ted Carroll (who formed Chiswick Records) made the sad announcement via his FB page, having heard from Doug Smith that Fast Eddie passed peacefully in hospital where he was being treated for pneumonia…
Phil Campbell said, “JUST HEARD THE SAD NEWS THAT FAST EDDIE CLARKE HAS PASSED AWAY. SUCH A SHOCK, HE WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR HIS ICONIC RIFFS AND WAS A TRUE ROCK N ROLLER. RIP EDDIE.”
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