Original Motorhead Guitarist Larry Wallis Dies at 70
We've lost another Motorhead member as original guitarist Larry Wallis has died at the age of 70. No cause of death has been made public at this time.
Prior to the union of Motorhead's classic lineup — Lemmy Kilmister, 'Fast' Eddie Clarke and Phil 'Philthy Animal' Taylor — Wallis was recruited during the band's initial formation following Lemmy's dismissal from Hawkwind. Wallis was only in the band from 1975 to 1976, leaving upon Clarke's arrival.
Still, he recorded one album, On Paraole, with the groundbreaking group. The record was intended to be the band's debut but was shelved, only to be released in 1979 on the heels of the band's pair of breakout albums Overkill and Bomber that had come out earlier in the year. On Parole contains nearly the same track listing as Motorhead's self-titled full length.
Wallis received writing credits on four On Parole songs: "On Parole," "Vibrator," "City Kids" and "Fools."
Before and after Motorhead, Wallis bounced around from band to band, enjoying stints with UFO (one European tour), Pink Fairies and others. He also became a punk and new wave producer for Stiff Records, also penning the Stuff Records single "Police Car."
Rockers We've Lost in 2019