Hawkwind are an English rock band formed in November 1969 and widely associated with the early development of space rock. Over the course of their career they have incorporated elements of hard rock, progressive rock and psychedelic rock, and have also been described as an influential proto-punk group. Their lyrics frequently explore themes of science fiction and urban life.
The band has undergone numerous line-up changes since its formation, with a large number of musicians, writers and performers contributing at various stages. Notable former members and collaborators include Nik Turner, Huw Lloyd-Langton, Del Dettmar, Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister, Simon King, Robert Calvert, Michael Moorcock, Simon House and Ginger Baker. Guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Dave Brock is the only remaining original member and has remained the central figure throughout the band's history.
Hawkwind are best known for the song "Silver Machine", which reached number three on the UK Singles Chart in 1972. Other charting singles include "Urban Guerrilla" and "Shot Down in the Night". Between 1971 and 1993, twenty-two of their albums entered the UK Albums Chart, with a further nine chart entries between 2012 and 2024.
The band formed when Dave Brock and Mick Slattery, formerly of the London psychedelic group Famous Cure, began working with bassist John Harrison after discovering shared interests in electronic music. Drummer Terry Ollis joined after responding to an advertisement, while Nik Turner and Michael "Dik Mik" Davies, acquaintances of Brock, became involved through providing logistical support and equipment. The group performed an early, unnamed 20-minute improvisation on the Byrds' "Eight Miles High" at a Notting Hill talent event, attracting attention from BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel, who recommended them to organiser Douglas Smith. Smith subsequently secured a record deal with Liberty Records.
The band adopted the name Hawkwind after briefly using the names Group X and Hawkwind Zoo. Early recording sessions at Abbey Road Studios produced demos including "Hurry on Sundown". Slattery left the group shortly afterwards and was replaced by Huw Lloyd-Langton.
Their 1970 debut album, "Hawkwind", was produced by Dick Taylor and received limited commercial success but helped establish the band within the UK underground scene. During this period they performed free concerts and festival appearances and formed a close association with the Pink Fairies, sometimes performing jointly under the name Pinkwind. Internal changes followed, including the departure of John Harrison and Lloyd-Langton at different points, and the temporary involvement of Thomas Crimble. Lloyd-Langton later returned after a period away from the group.
The 1971 album "In Search of Space" achieved greater commercial success, reaching number 18 in the UK Albums Chart. Around this time the band’s visual identity and conceptual approach developed through the work of Barney Bubbles and contributions from Robert Calvert. Michael Moorcock and dancer Stacia also began collaborating with the group. Line-up changes continued, including the departure and return of Del Dettmar and the involvement of Dave Anderson, who left prior to the album’s release.
The addition of Lemmy and Simon King marked a period of increased success. A live performance at the Roundhouse in 1972 contributed to the release of the single "Silver Machine", which became a major hit. The following album, "Doremi Fasol Latido", supported an elaborate stage production known as the Space Ritual tour, featuring multimedia elements and performance art. In 1973 the single "Urban Guerrilla" was withdrawn following controversy and limited radio play.
Further personnel changes occurred throughout the mid-1970s, including the departure of Dik Mik, Robert Calvert and Del Dettmar. Simon House joined as a keyboardist and violinist, contributing to the album "Hall of the Mountain Grill". Alan Powell also joined as a second drummer during touring. The 1975 album "Warrior on the Edge of Time" was created in collaboration with Michael Moorcock, drawing loosely on his Eternal Champion concept.
Lemmy was dismissed during a North American tour in 1975 following legal issues at a border crossing, after which Paul Rudolph replaced him on bass. Lemmy later formed Motörhead with Larry Wallis.
In 1976 the band signed with Charisma Records and Robert Calvert rejoined as lead vocalist. Stacia ceased performing as a dancer around this time. The album "Astounding Sounds, Amazing Music" marked the beginning of this era. Subsequent line-up instability continued, including the departures of Nik Turner, Alan Powell and Paul Rudolph.
The album "Quark, Strangeness and Charm" was released in 1977, followed by continued touring and further internal instability linked in part to Calvert’s mental health. The album "PXR5" was recorded in 1978 but released later. During this period the band also performed under the name Hawklords, releasing the album "25 Years On" with a modified line-up.
In 1979 the group reformed with Brock, Harvey Bainbridge and Simon King, later joined by Huw Lloyd-Langton and Tim Blake. They performed at early science fiction music festivals and signed a deal with Bronze Records, releasing "Live Seventy Nine" and "Levitation". Ginger Baker and Keith Hale participated in recording and touring during this period but later departed.
During the early 1980s, Hawkwind released several albums including "Sonic Attack", "Church of Hawkwind" and "Choose Your Masques", with contributions from Michael Moorcock. The band appeared at major UK festivals including Glastonbury and Donington, while experiencing frequent drummer changes. Robert Calvert returned as a guest and later rejoined permanently for a period.
In 1985 the band released "The Chronicle of the Black Sword", based on Michael Moorcock’s Elric series, and staged an accompanying theatrical tour. The live recording "Live Chronicles" documented this project. That year they also performed at a charity concert at Crystal Palace Bowl alongside several other artists.
The late 1980s saw further line-up changes, including the departure of Lloyd-Langton and the recruitment of drummer Richard Chadwick, who became a long-term member. Simon House rejoined briefly, and the band toured North America again after an extended absence. Bridget Wishart joined as a vocalist during this period, contributing to albums including "Space Bandits" and "Palace Springs".
In the early 1990s the band continued to release albums such as "Electric Tepee", "It Is the Business of the Future to Be Dangerous" and "The Business Trip". A project under the name Psychedelic Warriors was used to release material stylistically distinct from Hawkwind’s main output. Ron Tree later joined as vocalist, followed by guitarist Jerry Richards.
In 2000 a reunion event featuring current and former members was held at Brixton Academy under the name Hawkestra. The performance led to further touring configurations and releases such as "Yule Ritual". Legal and personal disputes followed, affecting the use of the Hawkwind name in some associated projects. The band also began organising their own festivals, including Hawkfest.
During the 2000s and 2010s Hawkwind continued to tour and release albums including "Take Me to Your Leader", "Blood of the Earth", "Onward" and "Stellar Variations". Line-up changes remained frequent, with various guest musicians contributing live and in the studio. The band also appeared in television documentaries and continued to perform at festivals and headline tours.
From 2016 onwards the band released several studio albums, including "The Machine Stops", "Into the Woods", "Road to Utopia", "All Aboard the Skylark", "Carnivorous", "Somnia", "The Future Never Waits" and "Stories from Time and Space". Later releases combined studio recording with orchestral and acoustic elements, and featured collaborations with musicians such as Mike Batt and guest appearances by former members and other artists. The group continued to tour internationally, with Brock and Chadwick remaining central figures in the band’s ongoing activity.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawkwind
Studio albums
Hawkwind (1970)
In Search of Space (1971)
Doremi Fasol Latido (1972)
Hall of the Mountain Grill (1974)
Warrior on the Edge of Time (1975)
Astounding Sounds, Amazing Music (1976)
Quark, Strangeness and Charm (1977)
25 Years On (1978, Released as Hawklords)
PXR5 (1979)
Levitation (1980)
Sonic Attack (1981)
Church of Hawkwind (1982, Released as Church of Hawkwind)
Choose Your Masques (1982)
The Chronicle of the Black Sword (1985)
The Xenon Codex (1988)
Space Bandits (1990)
Electric Tepee (1992)
It Is the Business of the Future to Be Dangerous (1993)
White Zone (1995, Released as Psychedelic Warriors)
Alien 4 (1995)
Distant Horizons (1997)
In Your Area (1999)
Spacebrock (2000)
Take Me to Your Leader (2005)
Take Me to Your Future (2006)
Blood of the Earth (2010)
Onward (2012)
Stellar Variations (2012, Released as Hawkwind Light Orchestra)
The Machine Stops (2016)
Into the Woods (2017)
The Road to Utopia (2018)
All Aboard the Skylark (2019)
Carnivorous (2020, Released as Hawkwind Light Orchestra)
Somnia (2021)
The Future Never Waits (2023)
Stories from Time and Space (2024)
There Is No Space for Us (2025)
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…shrink me down again