RELOADED

With a two-guitar line-up instead of the usual trio, and on their own label after the split from Bronze, the Orgasmatron album signalled a decibel-driven new start for Motörhead. We turn back the clock to 1986 with this classic interview.

- Sylvie Simmons

Author's note: I've lost count of how many times I've interviewed Lemmy, but I clearly remember I never had anything less than a great time. The first was in 1981 in Los Angeles, when Motörhead were on a US tour, opening for Blizzard Of Ozz. The last was also in LA, in 2006, at the legendary Rainbow Bar & Grill on Sunset Boulevard.

Since Lemmy moved to America, that rock bar, a short walk up the hill from his modest flat, had become his home from home. The waitresses all adored him. The bar owners cemented a black marble Motörhead slab on the floor just outside the entrance, like a one-band metal Hall Of Fame. Lemmy said drily that it reminded him of what made him leave Britain: being trodden on by the UK music business.

Except for his newly aquired set of shiny white American teeth, Lemmy never changed at all. Whenever I met him he was open, honest, smart, well-read, with the driest sense of humour. Tough as nails but a gentleman, who rocked like no one but could tear up over a Beatles song or Ann Wilson of Heart singing a ballad. (I've seen him do both.)

This is one of my favourite Lemmy interviews. It took place in 1986 at his rented house in London, shortly before the release of Motörhead's new album Orgasmatron. Dressed head to toe in black, smoking Marlboros, a drink in his hand, he was the perfect host.

Lemmy was a one-off. I miss him. I know I'm not alone in feeling that way.

Sylvie Simmons

It’s old, it’s dark, it hides a thousand evils behind a façade of normality and curtains drawn against the sun. On a boring West London street, it could be any old house. But it’s not, it’s Motörhouse, home of the one and only Lemmy, and his Motörhead sidekick Würzel, the Lone Ranger and Tonto of metal. A nasty little boy picking his nose watches me walk up the front path.