I recommend spending 15 minutes in the 7-11 reading Spin's new interview with Lemmy (like I did) rather than reading the incomplete version online, bu
April 2, 2009

I recommend spending 15 minutes in the 7-11 reading Spin's new interview with Lemmy (like I did) rather than reading the incomplete version online, but there's plenty of good stuff in there too.

On why he started playing:

I took a guitar to school and was immediately surrounded by women. I couldn't play it, but with all due respect, you do have to learn a couple of chords eventually. Not too many, though -- that can ruin you.

On Jimi Hendrix, for whom he once roadied:

I'd score acid for him. I'd get ten tabs, and he'd take seven and give me three, which I thought was very reasonable.

On winning a grammy:

We didn't get to go to the real Grammys 'cause we're distasteful: Us and the Mexican jazz bands all had to line up and get our stuff the previous afternoon.

You know those Chuck Norris jokes that were all the rage in 2006, before we learned what a gigantic wingnut disappointment Chuck Norris turned out to be? Like "Superman wears Chuck Norris pajamas"? Well, Keith Richards wears Lemmy pajamas. At 64, Lemmy comes off in this interview like he does to the numerous fans that have met him: 100 times more approachable and humble than they ever imagined a speed-snorting rock icon would be.

I met Lemmy about nine years ago, absolutely shocked to find him sitting alone playing Mrs. Pac-Man at the Rainbow Bar and Grill in Los Angeles. I had just moved to LA, and when my friend informed me he could be found here doing this same thing on most nights, I knew it had been a good decision. I introduced myself, told him I was a big fan and that I loved their new record, which at the time was Snake Bite Love (most bands that have been around for 30+ years stopped making good records long ago -- not Motorhead) and he thanked me sincerely and asked that I let my friends know.

Anyways, Motorhead get no respect for their more somber, quieter material, the Deuce of Clubs to their Ace of Spades. This song about two WWI soldiers is one of my all-time favorites.

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