Most often classified as heavy metal, Motörhead has been credited with being part of and influencing numerous musical scenes, thrash metal and speed metal especially. As of 2016, they have sold more than 15 million albums worldwide. The band are ranked number 26 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.
The albums Overkill, Bomber, Ace of Spades, and particularly the live album No Sleep 'til Hammersmith cemented Motörhead's reputation as a top-tier rock band. Usually a power trio, they had particular success in the early 1980s with several successful singles in the UK Top 40 chart. Motörhead released 22 studio albums, 10 live recordings, 12 compilation albums, and five EPs over a career spanning 40 years. Though several guitarists and drummers have played in Motörhead, most of their best-selling albums and singles feature the work of Phil 'Philthy Animal' Taylor on drums and 'Fast' Eddie Clarke on guitars.
The band are often considered a precursor to the new wave of British heavy metal, which re-energised heavy metal in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Motörhead ( / ˈ m oʊ t ər h ɛ d/) were a British rock band formed in June 1975 by bassist, singer, songwriter and only constant member Ian 'Lemmy' Kilmister, guitarist Larry Wallis and drummer Lucas Fox.
