Edward Allan Clarke (5 October 1950 – 10 January 2018), better known as "Fast" Eddie Clarke or simply "Fast", was a British guitarist who was a member of
heavy metal bands
Fastway and
Motörhead
Motörhead () were an English rock band formed in London in 1975 by Lemmy (lead vocals, bass), Larry Wallis (guitar) and Lucas Fox (drums). Lemmy was also the primary songwriter and only constant member. The band are often considered a precu ...
. Of Motörhead's classic lineup, which consisted of
Lemmy and
Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor
Philip John Taylor (21 September 1954 – 12 November 2015), better known as "Philthy Animal", was an English drummer. He was a member of the rock band Motörhead from 1975 to 1984 and 1987 to 1992, recording eleven studio albums and four live ...
, he was the last surviving member at the time of his death.
Career
Early days
Clarke began playing guitar and, by the time he was fifteen years old, had been through many local bands, one of which was called The Bitter End. Of his "Fast" moniker, Clarke has said "I didn't get the name Fast Eddie because of any sex thing, and it wasn't even because I could play fast. It was just that I could play one note in a solo really fast,"
referring to his skillful
tremolo picking
Alternate picking is a guitar playing technique that employs alternating downward and upward strokes in a continuous fashion. If the technique is performed at high speed on a single string or course voicing the same note, it may be referred to ...
.
He continued playing local gigs until 1973, when he turned professional by joining
Curtis Knight
Curtis Knight (May 9, 1929November 29, 1999), born Mont Curtis McNear, was an American musician who is known for his association with Jimi Hendrix.
In his Hendrix biography, David Moskowitz notes: "Curtis Knight was born in Fort Scott, Kansas, ...
's blues prog rock band, Zeus,
as lead guitarist. In 1974, the band recorded an album called ''The Second Coming'' at
Olympic Studios
Olympic Studios was a renowned British independent commercial recording studio based in Barnes, London. It is best known for its recordings of many artists throughout the late 1960s to the first decade of the 21st century, including Jimi Hendr ...
. Clarke wrote the music to Knight's lyrics on a track entitled "The Confession".
Clarke recorded the album ''Sea of Time'' with Zeus. Later, with guitarist friend Allan Callan, keyboard player Nicky Hogarth, and drummer Chris Perry, Clarke attended a recorded jam session at Command Studios in
Piccadilly
Piccadilly () is a road in the City of Westminster, London, to the south of Mayfair, between Hyde Park Corner in the west and Piccadilly Circus in the east. It is part of the A4 road that connects central London to Hammersmith, Earl's Court, ...
. As a result of the tracks from this session, the quartet secured a deal with
Anchor Records
Anchor Records was a UK-based record label, co-founded by Ian Ralfini and the American Broadcasting Companies, which owned ABC Records in the United States, in 1974. ABC Records marketed (distributed) Anchor albums in the US, and Anchor Record ...
, and called the band Blue Goose.
With a recording contract secured, Clarke, Hogarth and Perry left Zeus to focus on their own project with Callan.
Clarke soon formed another band with
Be-Bop Deluxe
Be-Bop Deluxe were an English rock band who achieved critical acclaim and moderate commercial success during the mid to late 1970s.
History Be-Bop Deluxe
Be-Bop Deluxe was founded in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England, by singer, guitaris ...
bassist Charlie Tumahai vocalist Ann McCluskie, and Jim Thompson on drums. Called Continuous Performance, this line up lasted until early 1975, when their demo tracks failed to secure them a record deal and the band split up.
Still out to secure a record deal, Clarke then formed a group with Nicky Hogarth from Blue Goose, bass player Tony Cussons and drummer Terry Slater. Their efforts to get a deal were also unsuccessful, and Clarke temporarily gave up the music industry.
Motörhead
Clarke was working on re-fitting a houseboat, when he met drummer
Phil Taylor,
who had recently joined
Motörhead
Motörhead () were an English rock band formed in London in 1975 by Lemmy (lead vocals, bass), Larry Wallis (guitar) and Lucas Fox (drums). Lemmy was also the primary songwriter and only constant member. The band are often considered a precu ...
. However, according to Kilmister's authorized biography, it appears that Clarke was introduced to Lemmy by a receptionist at the rehearsal studio, Gertie, who was romantically involved with Clarke at the time. Not long after, he was playing with them. In the early days Eddie rehearsed with Motörhead, before going on the road, at Snobs Rehearsal Studios, part of a converted brewery on the corner of Kings Road and Lots Road, Chelsea, known as the "Furniture Cave". Motörhead's popularity increased along with their UK chart successes. The threesome (Lemmy, Clarke, Taylor) are considered the classic Motörhead line-up and have the ''
Motörhead
Motörhead () were an English rock band formed in London in 1975 by Lemmy (lead vocals, bass), Larry Wallis (guitar) and Lucas Fox (drums). Lemmy was also the primary songwriter and only constant member. The band are often considered a precu ...
,
Overkill,
Ace of Spades
The Ace of Spades (also known as the Spadille and Death Card) is traditionally the highest and most valued card in the deck of playing cards in English-speaking countries. The actual value of the card varies from game to game.
Design
The orn ...
,
Bomber
A bomber is a military combat aircraft designed to attack ground and naval targets by dropping air-to-ground weaponry (such as bombs), launching aerial torpedo, torpedoes, or deploying air-launched cruise missiles. The first use of bombs dropped ...
,
No Sleep 'til Hammersmith
''No Sleep 'til Hammersmith'' is the first live album by English rock band Motörhead, released on 22 June 1981 via Bronze Records. It peaked at number one on the UK Albums Chart. It was followed by the release of the single " Motorhead" (backe ...
'' and ''
Iron Fist'' albums plus a string of hit singles to their credit.
![Fast Eddie Clarke Motorhead 1982](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/76/Fast_Eddie_Clarke_Motorhead_1982.jpg)
As well as playing guitar and singing backing vocals, he performed lead vocal on a small number of Motörhead songs: Examples are "
Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers
''Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers'' is an EP by the band Motörhead, released on 27 November 1980. The EP consists of four tracks recorded during sessions for their first album ''Motörhead'', in 1977 at Escape Studios, Kent, England, but were ...
" (on which he traded vocals with Lemmy), "
I'm Your Witchdoctor
"I'm Your Witchdoctor" is a 1965 single by John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers composed by Mayall, produced by Jimmy Page, and issued on the Immediate label. The exact date or London studio for the recording session has not been determined, but in ...
" (on which he
duets
A duet is a musical composition or piece for two performers.
Duets or The Duets may also refer to:
Films and television
* ''Duets'' (film), a 2000 film, starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Paul Giamatti and Huey Lewis
* "Duets" (''Glee''), a 2010 episo ...
vocals with Lemmy), "Step Down",
and "Emergency", one of the B-side tracks on the ''
St. Valentine's Day Massacre
The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre was the murder of seven members and associates of Chicago's North Side Gang that occurred on Saint Valentine's Day 1929. The men were gathered at a Lincoln Park, Chicago garage on the morning of February 1 ...
'' EP, upon which they performed "
Please Don't Touch", with
Girlschool
Girlschool are a British rock band that formed in the new wave of British heavy metal scene in 1978. Frequently associated with contemporaries Motörhead, they are the longest-running all-female rock band, still active after more than 40 ye ...
, under the combined band names of
Headgirl. He claimed to hate singing lead - see th
video for Step Down
Departure from Motörhead
Clarke left Motörhead in 1982, whilst on tour of the United States.
Becoming unhappy at the results of the ''Iron Fist'' album, the recording sessions with the
Plasmatics
The Plasmatics were an American punk rock, hardcore punk and heavy metal band formed by Rod Swenson and Wendy O. Williams in New York City in 1977. They were a controversial group known for chaotic, destructive live shows and outrageous theat ...
were the final straw. For the
B-side
The A-side and B-side are the two sides of phonograph records and cassettes; these terms have often been printed on the labels of two-sided music recordings. The A-side usually features a recording that its artist, producer, or record compan ...
of the ''
Stand By Your Man EP'' the bands took turns in
covering each other's songs, Clarke allegedly felt that this compromised the band's principles and resigned. According to
Joel McIver
Joel McIver (born 10 February 1971) is a British author. His best-known work is ''Justice for All: The Truth About Metallica'', first published in 2004 and appearing in nine languages since then. McIver's other works include biographies of Bla ...
, Clarke himself later denied this version of events and had said: "
hilthywas the main instigator in my being excluded from the band. Notice I do not call it leaving, as it was not my choice. I had imagined dying onstage with Motörhead, so it was a blow when they didn't want me in the band any longer."
Clarke was replaced by former
Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Their music reflects a wide range of influences, including blues, soul music, psychedelic rock and traditional Irish folk music, but is generally classified as hard rock or some ...
and
Wild Horses lead guitarist
Brian Robertson after
Anvil
An anvil is a metalworking tool consisting of a large block of metal (usually forged or cast steel), with a flattened top surface, upon which another object is struck (or "worked").
Anvils are as massive as practical, because the higher th ...
frontman
Steve "Lips" Kudlow
Steven Barry "Lips" Kudlow (born March 2, 1956) is a Canadian musician, who is the guitarist and lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Anvil. He co-founded the band with drummer Robb Reiner in 1978, having played together since 1973.
Early l ...
turned down the offer to play with Motörhead. Clarke's last gig with Motörhead took place at the New York Palladium on 14 May 1982. Another cameo from Clarke on a later Motörhead album was on 2000's ''
Live at Brixton Academy'', released in 2003, on which the band featured many guest appearances from other guitarists, of which he was one, playing on the songs "
No Class
"No Class" is a song by the British Heavy metal music, heavy metal band Motörhead. It was released in 1979 in 7" vinyl pressings. The song first appeared on the 1979 album ''Overkill (Motörhead album), Overkill'', and became one of the "corner ...
", "The Chase Is Better Than the Catch" and "
Overkill".
Fastway
Hearing that
UFO
An unidentified flying object (UFO), more recently renamed by US officials as a UAP (unidentified aerial phenomenon), is any perceived aerial phenomenon that cannot be immediately identified or explained. On investigation, most UFOs are id ...
bassist
Pete Way
Peter Frederick Way (7 August 1950 – 14 August 2020) was an English hard rock and heavy metal bassist. He was bassist for the rock band UFO from 1968 to 1982; Way rejoined the band briefly in 1988–1989, and full-time from 1991 to 2008. H ...
was keen to leave that band, the two met and decided their new band's name would be an amalgamation of their own two names, resulting in
Fastway.
They advertised in the music press for a drummer and a vocalist. Meanwhile, a rehearsal was organised, for which
Clash drummer
Topper Headon
Nicholas Bowen "Topper" Headon (born 30 May 1955) is an English drummer, best known as the drummer of punk rock band the Clash. Known for his instrumental contributions to the drumming world, Headon was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fa ...
filled in on drums. The ads began showing positive results, cassettes from potential band members arrived; one of these was from a young singer named
Dave King.
Clarke was impressed with his voice and financed a trip to London for King; after an audition together, King became the Fastway vocalist. Ex-
Humble Pie member Jerry Shirley became the drummer.
The band sent out demo tapes and were approached by
CBS Records CBS Records may refer to:
* CBS Records or CBS/Sony, former name of Sony Music, a global record company
* CBS Records International, label for Columbia Records recordings released outside North America from 1962 to 1990
* CBS Records (2006), founde ...
for a recording deal. Way announced his departure just as they were about to sign the deal, but CBS had faith in Fastway and decided to sign them despite this setback.
Touring had been strenuous for the band and, upon returning to Britain, they decided to split. Clarke stayed in London, and soon received a call from King about giving Fastway another go. Clarke agreed and moved to Ireland. With another album for CBS in view, they rehearsed with three of King's friends. The record label was happy with the sound and had them record at London's
Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios (formerly EMI Recording Studios) is a recording studio at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music c ...
with producer
Terry Manning
Terry Manning is an American photographer, composer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, audio engineer, and visual artist. In a career spanning more than 50 years, he has worked with Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Bryan Adams, ...
, releasing ''
Waiting for the Roar'' in 1986. Clarke toured America with Fastway, supporting
AC/DC
AC/DC (stylised as ACϟDC) are an Australian Rock music, rock band formed in Sydney in 1973 by Scottish-born brothers Malcolm Young, Malcolm and Angus Young. Their music has been variously described as hard rock, blues rock, and Heavy metal ...
, followed by a lengthy European tour, which produced 1992's ''Say What You Will – Live'' album. Fastway were also engaged to provide music for the ''Trick Or Treat'' film soundtrack, for which they composed the title track and performed "Heft" and "If You Could See" from their albums.
Later days
After the band split up again, Clarke moved back to London and met up with Lea Hart, a solo artist in the Far East. Clarke's record deals had now expired, so the pair took a demo tape to Douglas Smith (Clarke's former Motörhead manager) at
GWR Records
GWR Records were an independent record label active in the UK from 1986 through to 1991.
By 1984, Gerry Bron's Bronze Records were in financial difficulty leading to a hiatus in recording activity for Motörhead. Eventually, Motörhead manag ...
, who willingly signed a deal. Still using the name Fastway, they recorded the ''On Target'' album. It featured
Don Airey and Paul Airey on keyboards,
Neil Murray on bass, plus
Bram Tchaikovsky of
The Motors
The Motors were a British pub rock band formed in London in 1977 by former Ducks Deluxe members Nick Garvey and Andy McMaster together with guitarist Rob Hendry (who was replaced in May 1977 by Bram Tchaikovsky) and drummer Ricky Slaughter. Th ...
and Christine Byford as backing vocalists.
Clarke's group now consisted of Riff Raff on drums, keyboards and bass, plus assorted friends helping out;
Biff Byford
Peter Rodney "Biff" Byford (born 15 January 1951) is an English singer best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Saxon.
Early life
Byford was born in Skelmanthorpe, West Yorkshire, the youngest of four children to Ernest Ch ...
and Nigel Glockler of
Saxon
The Saxons ( la, Saxones, german: Sachsen, ang, Seaxan, osx, Sahson, nds, Sassen, nl, Saksen) were a group of Germanic
*
*
*
*
peoples whose name was given in the early Middle Ages to a large country (Old Saxony, la, Saxonia) near the Nor ...
, Don Airey, and Kim McAuliffe and
Cris Bonacci
Cristina "Cris" Bonacci (born 15 October 1964) is an Australian-born producer, songwriter, and musician. She was the lead guitarist in the British heavy metal band Girlschool (1984 to 1992, 2004) and has also provided session guitar work for ot ...
of
Girlschool
Girlschool are a British rock band that formed in the new wave of British heavy metal scene in 1978. Frequently associated with contemporaries Motörhead, they are the longest-running all-female rock band, still active after more than 40 ye ...
. Following the production of two albums, Clarke and Hart split up.
However, the excesses he had indulged in with Motörhead had taken their toll, and led to Clarke being admitted to hospital, spending time afterwards in recuperation. Having recovered, Clarke released a solo album, ''It Ain't Over Till It's Over'', which blends Motörhead and Fastway styles. Lemmy also helped out on the album by writing and singing the track "Laugh at the Devil". The double CD release, ''Fast Eddie Clarke Anthology'', on
Sanctuary Records
Sanctuary Records Group Limited was a record label based in the United Kingdom and is as of 2013 a subsidiary of BMG Rights Management solely for reissues. Until June 2007, it was the largest independent record label in the UK and the largest m ...
showcased a collection of Clarke's music spanning his career before and after Motörhead. It also marked a return to live performances with a re-formed Fastway, including an appearance in the UK at the
Download Festival
Download Festival is a British-created rock festival created by Terrance Gough, held annually at the Donington Park motorsport circuit in Leicestershire, England (since 2003); in Paris, France (since 2016); at Parramatta Park, Sydney (since 201 ...
in summer 2007.
In 2014, Clarke went back to his blues roots and released a new studio album through
Secret Records
''Secret Records limited '' is a British independent record label based in London founded in 1980. The label specialize in a number of genres including blues, reggae, rock, rock 'n' roll, psychedelic, soul and punk. The label's roster includes ...
. ''Make My Day: Back To Blues'' was a collaboration between Clarke and the keyboardist from
Shakatak
Shakatak is an English jazz-funk band founded in 1980 by Nigel Wright and former Wigan Casino DJ Kev Roberts. Following an initial white label release 'Steppin', the band's name was derived from a record store in Soho, London Record Shack. I ...
,
Bill Sharpe. Clarke reunited with Lemmy on 6 November 2014 at the
National Indoor Arena
Arena Birmingham (known for sponsorship reasons as Utilita Arena Birmingham, and previously as The Barclaycard Arena and originally as the National Indoor Arena) is an indoor arena and sporting venue in central Birmingham, United Kingdom. It ...
in Birmingham to play the Motörhead track "
Ace of Spades
The Ace of Spades (also known as the Spadille and Death Card) is traditionally the highest and most valued card in the deck of playing cards in English-speaking countries. The actual value of the card varies from game to game.
Design
The orn ...
".
Death
Clarke died on 10 January 2018, aged 67, in a hospital where he was being treated for pneumonia.
Discography
Albums
*1974 Curtis Knight Zeus – ''The Second Coming''
*1974 Curtis Knight Zeus – ''Sea of Time''
*1983 Fastway – ''
Fastway''
*1984 Fastway – ''
All Fired Up''
*1986 Fastway – ''
Waiting for the Roar''
*1986 Fastway – ''
Trick Or Treat
Trick-or-treating is a traditional Halloween custom for children and adults in some countries. During the evening of Halloween, on October 31, people in costumes travel from house to house, asking for treats with the phrase "trick or treat". Th ...
'' (soundtrack album)
*1988 Fastway – ''On Target''
*1990 Fastway – ''Bad Bad Girls''
*1992 Fastway – ''Say What You Will – Live''
*1993 The Muggers – ''The Muggers Tapes''
*1994 Solo album – ''
It Ain't Over Till It's Over''
*2003 Motörhead – ''
Live at Brixton Academy''
*2007 ''Fast Eddie Clarke Anthology''
*2009 Curtis Knight Zeus -''The Second Coming'' – first time on CD with bonus track.
*2010 Fastway – ''Steal The Show'' – 4 CD Live Box Set.
*2011 Fastway – ''Eat Dog Eat''
*2014 Fast Eddie Clarke – ''Make My Day: Back To Blues'' – CD & Download
*2018 Warfare-Cemetery Dirt Download Plastic Head Media Ltd
*2018 Warfare-Misanthropy from the album Warfare(Nightmare Mixes)
Singles
*1974 Curtis Knight and Zeus – "Devil Made Me Do It" / "Oh Rainbow"
*1974 Curtis Knight and Zeus – "People, Places and Things" / "Mysterious Lady"
*1983 Fastway – "Easy Livin'" / "Say What You Will"
*1983 Fastway – "Easy Livin'" / "Say What You Will" / "Far, Far From Home"
*2018 Warfare - Misanthropy/Cemetery Dirt.
Guest appearances
*1990 Motörhead – ''
The Birthday Party'' (1990)
lbum & Video ecorded in 1985*1994
JBO – ''BLASTphemie'' – on "Greetings from Fast Eddie Clarke"
*2000 Necropolis – ''End of the Line'' – solo on "A Taste For Killing"
*2001 Motörhead – ''
25 & Alive Boneshaker'' (DVD) – live at their 25th anniversary show Brixton, 13 November 2000 – DVD & CD
*2003
Chinchilla
Chinchillas are either of two species (''Chinchilla chinchilla'' and ''Chinchilla lanigera'') of crepuscular rodents of the parvorder Caviomorpha. They are slightly larger and more robust than ground squirrels, and are native to the Andes mount ...
– ''Madtropolis'' – solo on "When The Sand Darkens The Sun"
*2004 ''Classic Albums: Ace of Spades'' – Interviewed and plays guitar on this DVD celebrating the 1980 Motörhead album.
*2005 Masque – ''Look Out'' – solo on "I've Had Enough of the Funny Stuff"
*2008 ''Sheep in Wolves' Clothing'' – Motörheadbangers fan club tribute CD – lead guitar on
Girlschool
Girlschool are a British rock band that formed in the new wave of British heavy metal scene in 1978. Frequently associated with contemporaries Motörhead, they are the longest-running all-female rock band, still active after more than 40 ye ...
's re-mixed version of
Motörhead
Motörhead () were an English rock band formed in London in 1975 by Lemmy (lead vocals, bass), Larry Wallis (guitar) and Lucas Fox (drums). Lemmy was also the primary songwriter and only constant member. The band are often considered a precu ...
's "Metropolis" song.
*2008 Girlschool – ''
Legacy
In law, a legacy is something held and transferred to someone as their inheritance, as by will and testament. Personal effects, family property, marriage property or collective property gained by will of real property.
Legacy or legacies may refer ...
'' – lead guitar on their cover version of
Motörhead
Motörhead () were an English rock band formed in London in 1975 by Lemmy (lead vocals, bass), Larry Wallis (guitar) and Lucas Fox (drums). Lemmy was also the primary songwriter and only constant member. The band are often considered a precu ...
's "Metropolis" song.
*2010
Saxon
The Saxons ( la, Saxones, german: Sachsen, ang, Seaxan, osx, Sahson, nds, Sassen, nl, Saksen) were a group of Germanic
*
*
*
*
peoples whose name was given in the early Middle Ages to a large country (Old Saxony, la, Saxonia) near the Nor ...
– ''Heavy Metal Thunder The Movie'' – Interviewed several times on this DVD.
*2015
Thor
Thor (; from non, Þórr ) is a prominent god in Germanic paganism. In Norse mythology, he is a hammer-wielding æsir, god associated with lightning, thunder, storms, sacred trees and groves in Germanic paganism and mythology, sacred groves ...
– ''Metal Avenger'' – Plays on the title track
*2017 Evo – ''Warfare''
igh Roller Records
Motörhead
*''
Motörhead
Motörhead () were an English rock band formed in London in 1975 by Lemmy (lead vocals, bass), Larry Wallis (guitar) and Lucas Fox (drums). Lemmy was also the primary songwriter and only constant member. The band are often considered a precu ...
'' – 21 August 1977
*''
Overkill'' – 24 March 1979
*''
Bomber
A bomber is a military combat aircraft designed to attack ground and naval targets by dropping air-to-ground weaponry (such as bombs), launching aerial torpedo, torpedoes, or deploying air-launched cruise missiles. The first use of bombs dropped ...
'' – 27 October 1979
*''
Ace of Spades
The Ace of Spades (also known as the Spadille and Death Card) is traditionally the highest and most valued card in the deck of playing cards in English-speaking countries. The actual value of the card varies from game to game.
Design
The orn ...
'' – 8 November 1980
*''
No Sleep 'til Hammersmith
''No Sleep 'til Hammersmith'' is the first live album by English rock band Motörhead, released on 22 June 1981 via Bronze Records. It peaked at number one on the UK Albums Chart. It was followed by the release of the single " Motorhead" (backe ...
'' – 27 June 1981
*''
Iron Fist'' – 17 April 1982
*''
BBC Live & In-Session'' – 20 September 2005
References
External links
*
Motörhead official website*
*
Interview with online fanzine– 6ftplus blog interview with Eddie ClarkeFast Eddie Clarke, Interview: "Back In The Saddle" October, 2011
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clarke, Eddie
1950 births
2018 deaths
English heavy metal guitarists
English rock guitarists
Lead guitarists
Motörhead members
Musicians from Twickenham
Fastway (band) members
Deaths from pneumonia in England