Thought I heard a rumor that had Lemmy bought stock in Jack Daniels. Or maybe it was that he had stocked up on Jack Daniels. Hmm, I can't remember.
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Someone help me appreciate Lemmy
- Thread starter stringthrough
- Start date
I'm not really a fan of Motorhead's music, because it is so thin and lacks a lot of that fundamental R&B groove in most of their stuff (even though Lemmy himself was a huge R&B inspiree). It's uppers music, and they made no bones about it; the name of the band is a slang term that is, most literally, synonymous with "speed freak." It doesn't have a "rich" sound; it just barrels down a narrow midrange at full throttle. This has its appeal, for sure. I just don't find it sonically attractive for an entire album. It's got that initial appeal, it makes me smile, the attitude kicks ass...but it wears thin real quick. I dig it okay in spurts, but not enough bass, not enough swing to make me a true fan.
But Lemmy was a rare kind of man – *especially* by famous musician standards. He was *widely* beloved; he garnered BIG respect from everyone around him, pretty much all the time – just by being who he was: a really, consistently, good guy. Extremely polite, very respectful, very gentlemanly, very intelligent, great "emotional e.q.", knew a lot about people (and knew himself very well), extremely funny, very open, 100% straight up, and down to Earth – one of the farthest things from aloof and pretentious that there is in the rock-n-roll world...and he really WAS all of that, ALL the time. It wasn't a nice guy act. You always knew what you were gonna get with him. He was remarkably even keeled and consistent in temperament. There was *a ton* of personal love for the man in the music industry and in music circles, simply because of who he was as a person.
I have enormous respect for him simply for being a truly honest individual, if nothing else. You don't often find that even in day-to-day relationships with Joe Blows, so seeing it in a famous person makes it even more endearing.
As for his bass playing, he did *exactly* what he wanted to do, period. I don't necessarily love the result all the time, but I can't truly say that first sentence about too many musicians (especially bass players).
But Lemmy was a rare kind of man – *especially* by famous musician standards. He was *widely* beloved; he garnered BIG respect from everyone around him, pretty much all the time – just by being who he was: a really, consistently, good guy. Extremely polite, very respectful, very gentlemanly, very intelligent, great "emotional e.q.", knew a lot about people (and knew himself very well), extremely funny, very open, 100% straight up, and down to Earth – one of the farthest things from aloof and pretentious that there is in the rock-n-roll world...and he really WAS all of that, ALL the time. It wasn't a nice guy act. You always knew what you were gonna get with him. He was remarkably even keeled and consistent in temperament. There was *a ton* of personal love for the man in the music industry and in music circles, simply because of who he was as a person.
I have enormous respect for him simply for being a truly honest individual, if nothing else. You don't often find that even in day-to-day relationships with Joe Blows, so seeing it in a famous person makes it even more endearing.
As for his bass playing, he did *exactly* what he wanted to do, period. I don't necessarily love the result all the time, but I can't truly say that first sentence about too many musicians (especially bass players).
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Lemmy was Lemmy he wouldn't have cared less if you liked him or not.
To me, Lemmy was such a beloved character because he practiced what he preached and was accessible to his fans.
That's a bit reductionist as he wrote many stone cold classics.
That's a bit reductionist as he wrote many stone cold classics.
Thanks!
On the '69 clip I can't help thinking of Spinal Tap in their earliest incarnation.
I like the Hawkwind clip... Very acid rock-ish
You can't force liking. Why try or worry about it? It's either your bag, baby, or it's not.
True, but the point of my post is to get thoughts and sound clips that might make me appreciate him.
The one comment you made stringthrough, about Lemmy playing like a guitarist is entirely because he was originally ( correct me if I'm wrong someone ). He switched instruments. It seems those who have followed this path ( I am one actually ) seem to have a peculiar way of approaching their instrument. As I understand it Duff is in this camp too. As for myself I feel I was always a bass player as the funkier bits always resonated much more with me than lead noodling. I picked up guitar pretty quick but when I bought a bass I took to it like a duck to water.
because hawkind.
everyone has different tastes and heroes for different reasons. personally i see no appeal whatsoever to jaco but doesn't mean i think anyone is wrong for thinking he is cool....i also don't care enough what anyone else likes to try and understand it. that isn't me trying to be sassy i just respect different opinions/likes/dislikes.
everyone has different tastes and heroes for different reasons. personally i see no appeal whatsoever to jaco but doesn't mean i think anyone is wrong for thinking he is cool....i also don't care enough what anyone else likes to try and understand it. that isn't me trying to be sassy i just respect different opinions/likes/dislikes.
Lemmy also brokered peace between two rival biker gangs at a Motorhead show. He was a true statesman.
@stringthrough Ok now you got me playing salesman, my fault, I get excited about Hawkwind. You may really hook into this album and there is much more Lemmy/Lemmyless Hawkwind to enjoy. Ok Im done.......unless you need more
He's living proof that a guy who's only ability is to make everything he plays or sings sound like a Sennheiser mic thrown into a garbage disposal with a hive of angry wasps can still make a decent living.
In all seriousness, the first time I heard them I was floored. Here was a guy who did to his bass tone literally the stone cold opposite of everything I'd been doing all my life and IT TOTALLY WORKED. Would not want to be on a stage with him without earplugs covered by earmuffs, but still: proof that awesome tone isn't what you think it might be.
In all seriousness, the first time I heard them I was floored. Here was a guy who did to his bass tone literally the stone cold opposite of everything I'd been doing all my life and IT TOTALLY WORKED. Would not want to be on a stage with him without earplugs covered by earmuffs, but still: proof that awesome tone isn't what you think it might be.
You don't have to join the party. WAY too many players and genres discussed here on TB on a daily basis for everyone to like everyone else's favorites. Focus on the many bassists you no doubt enjoy listening to and I'm sure you'll find compatriots. I'm not into several musicians that get a lot of love in the forums, but I don't see the need to disagree with other folks' opinions. (Unless it's about Adam Clayton, who is only pretending to be a bassist.)
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I was first introduced to Motorhead in 1980 when the booking agent of NYC punk club Max's Kansas City began to play their promo clips (these weren't called 'videos' yet) for Ace of Spades and Chase is Better Than the Catch high-rotation on the club's primitive video system.
As a 17-year-old 'punk rocker' who was pretentiously programmed to eschew all 'old' forms of music - in this case Heavy Metal - I scoffed at the gnarly old man and his cohorts.
"Oh, you think punk is so tough?" asked the booking agent. "These guys right here are VIKINGS!"
I got wiser very soon there after - and realized that what I was seeing was something definitive, powerful, unique, and iconic - unlike so many bland and non-committal artists, many better technicians or more sonically palatable.
These qualities, when truly displayed and demonstrated consistently over years, are the things that legends are made of.
Lemmy is one such legend. Like him or not, he has carved out an indisputable place in music history and has garnered all due reverence and respect that designation entails.
As a 17-year-old 'punk rocker' who was pretentiously programmed to eschew all 'old' forms of music - in this case Heavy Metal - I scoffed at the gnarly old man and his cohorts.
"Oh, you think punk is so tough?" asked the booking agent. "These guys right here are VIKINGS!"
I got wiser very soon there after - and realized that what I was seeing was something definitive, powerful, unique, and iconic - unlike so many bland and non-committal artists, many better technicians or more sonically palatable.
These qualities, when truly displayed and demonstrated consistently over years, are the things that legends are made of.
Lemmy is one such legend. Like him or not, he has carved out an indisputable place in music history and has garnered all due reverence and respect that designation entails.
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yeah! --- apparently, that's been 'popular' lately --- to delete posts. others have complained about the loss of continuity in other threads.. not sure what it's all about.
I've seen Motörhead live many times, as they were part of the traveling "hard rock" brigade that did a lot of festivals/outdoor shows. I couldn't wait for them to be over, and just never enjoyed their singing/songs/etc.
That said, I totally "get" the appreciation for Lemmy, as he could certainly play, and the bass wasn't what I disliked about that band. (mostly didn't care for the vocals)
You don't have to "get" every iconic player, but I certainly always did appreciate Lemmy for what he had to offer as a player. He was distorted, loud, aggressive and in your face. He definitely didn't kick back and rest on his bass playing laurels.
That said, I totally "get" the appreciation for Lemmy, as he could certainly play, and the bass wasn't what I disliked about that band. (mostly didn't care for the vocals)
You don't have to "get" every iconic player, but I certainly always did appreciate Lemmy for what he had to offer as a player. He was distorted, loud, aggressive and in your face. He definitely didn't kick back and rest on his bass playing laurels.
