Lemmy personifies the essence of rock music. With his unwavering passion for life and music, relentless drive to perform on stage, captivating appearance, powerful vocals, and boundless energy, he embodies the epitome of a rock star. The music he created with Motörhead has become the bedrock of hard rock and metal, with his impact still being recognized as a significant driving force even today.
He definitely had a rebellious appearance that appealed to many music enthusiasts and was seen as a departure from the more mainstream-looking artists that preceded him. However, despite being compared to The Beatles, Lemmy was never satisfied when people labeled them as “safe” solely based on their appearance.
“The Beatles were quite tough individuals, hailing from Liverpool, you know…” “Give me a break,” he remarked. “If you’re looking for rebellious individuals, you should have a conversation with Ringo Starr. He hails from The Dingle in Liverpool, which was considered a rough neighborhood back then, if you catch my drift.” It’s not a matter of safety. They were wearing suits, but they still weren’t protected.
Lemmy held a great deal of respect for The Beatles, much like many aspiring musicians of that era. The song he loved by the band was a rendition of ‘Slow Down’. It was a unique track with a lengthy introduction and performed by a lesser-known artist.
After Little Richard made the decision to shift his attention towards his religious pursuits, his record label enlisted the talents of Larry Williams, a renowned R&B singer hailing from New Orleans. Williams was expected to step into Richard’s role, but he struggled to gain traction in the American market. He achieved moderate success in the UK, although it fell short of the label’s expectations. However, one particular song, ‘Slow Down’, struck a chord with listeners.
It was quite intriguing to see a song like this make its way onto the charts during that period. Back then, people were more into quick and catchy hits, whereas ‘Slow Down’ defied expectations with its unconventional 30-second introduction. The track caught the attention of The Beatles, who were inspired to cover it early on. This, in turn, served as inspiration for Lemmy.
The song exudes a vibrant energy, and the extended introduction contributes to a seamless buildup of that energy. Many Motörhead tracks possess an undeniable abundance of energy, which is then vigorously shaken until it reaches a fizzing point. Nevertheless, the approach taken by The Beatles in their rendition of ‘Slow Down‘ is not overly calculated, suggesting that it may have contributed to their mastery of that particular style.
The tough persona that Lemmy projected undoubtedly influences the music he enjoys, even if the persona doesn’t endure. The Beatles had a polished appearance, but their music was undeniably powerful, leaving a lasting impact on Lemmy.
