Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Motorhead drummer reacts to Rock Hall nomination and snub


Motorhead: Phil Campbell, Lemmy and Mikkey Dee

Motorhead drummer Mikkey Dee is sharing his thoughts on the band’s first nomination for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and the exclusion of himself and longtime guitarist Phil Campbell from the honor.

While the group were named among the 16 artists under consideration for entry into the 2020 Rock Hall alongside fellow rockers Soundgarden, Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy and T. Rex, among others, the nomination only includes Motorhead’s early lineup of Lemmy Kilmister, guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clarke and drummer Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor, despite the fact that Campbell joined the lineup in 1984 and Dee in 1992.

"That is pure wrong, I would say, and I know Phil will be very disappointed, too," Dee tells Billboard. "We've been carrying the flag for 25 years together, and actually brought Motorhead to what it was. We did 25 years out of the 40. The original band lasted just a few years. They started it off, but as Lemmy said himself they wouldn't have lasted another six months doing that lineup. I don't think we would've been where we are today without the 25 years we spent touring."

A Rock Hall entry would be bittersweet for the band and its fans, as Taylor died in 2015 from liver failure at the age of 61; Kilmister passed away a month later at the age of 70 from prostate cancer, cardiac arrhythmia, and congestive heart failure; and, Clarke died last year at 67 following a battle with pneumonia.

"I remember when we won a Grammy (in 2005), Lemmy was prouder than any of us. He really glowed," recalls Dee, now a member of The Scorpions. "I said, 'Lem, this is pretty cool,' and he said, 'You're right, mate. This is great.' And when we got our hands in the Rock Walk on Sunset in Hollywood, that was also a moment for him, and he was really proud. And this here (Rock Hall nomination) is the king of kings, if you will, so he would've been very, very proud."

Regardless of what happens, however, Dee says he and Campbell will attend the induction ceremony to represent if Motorhead makes it through.

"Absolutely," he declares. "I think that's a must. Phil and me have to attend - and play there, of course. It would be a real honor."

See also:

Original Motorhead guitarst Larry Wallis dead at 70
VIDEO: Motorhead stream 1979 performance of Stay Clean
Motorhead to launch reissue series with expanded 1979 albums
Motorhead classic Ace Of Spades named greatest gambling song of all time
Search Motorhead at hennemusic