The deal was initially secured by Andrew Lauer, UA's A&R for Hawkwind, the band that had sacked Lemmy in May of 1975, which resulted in Motorhead's formation. (initially, the band was to be called"Bastard." However Doug Smith, their manager at the time, stated to the band that: "they'd never get on Top of the Pops with a name like Bastard." So he suggested "Motorhead" which was the title of the last song that Lemmy wrote for Hawkwind, which seemed fitting.
This is the only album that featured the original lineup of Lemmy, Lucas Fox on drums, and Larry Wallis (from The Pink Fairies) on guitar. During the recordings, original producer Dave Edmonds relinquished his duties, being replaced by Fritz Fryer. Drummer Fox was then replaced by Phillip "Philthy Animal" Taylor, a casual acquaintance of Lemmy's who would drive him to the studio. Taylor overdubbed all of Fox's drum tracks with the exception of Lost Johnny, as he was being held in custody for alleged drunk and disorderly at the time that session was to take place.
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| Larry Wallis "Police Car" b/w "On Parole" |
In Lemmy's book: White Line Fever, Lemmy recalls Taylor trying to sing City Kids but says he sounded like "two cats being slapped together." Lemmy was impressed by Taylor's overdubbing saying "you usually record going to the drums. it's like going ass-backwards."
In the spring of 1977, Motorhead were ready to give up. They would do a final gig in 1977 at the Marquee with The Damned, and the plan was that Ted Carrol of Chiswick Records would record that gig for them. Lemmy had known Ted from the early 1970's from his time in Hawkwind, and would hang around in Ted's record shop "Rock On." So Lemmy called Ted and asked if he was interested in to help them record a live album from their final gig.
Ted though that one gig wouldn't result in enough material for an album. He wanted at least two gigs and therefore hoped to book two concerts in one day at a later date. Two gigs in one day would save some money when it comes to rent of the mobile studio that was going to be used. So the final gig was never recorded, and it did not work out to book two gigs later on.
But Ted was there and he was impressed with what he heard and offered the band two days at the Escape Studio in Kent to record a single on the evening of April 27th. The band of course grabbed the chance by the throat and they were so well rehearsed that after two days and nights had passed, without any sleep, they had recorded eleven backing tracks.
According to an article that was written by Peter Silverton, right after Ace of Spades was released, the band phoned Chiswick already after 12 hours to say they had almost finished a complete album. Producer was Speedy Keen and John Burns was the engineer. The problem was that none of those songs were complete after those two days. They all lacked vocals and solos. But Ted, who showed up in the studio on the 28th thought it sounded great and gave the band two more days at Olympic Sound Studios in Barnes to finish all the songs. These scattered studio days took place in May, June and July. In the end, they had recorded a total of thirteen songs. Speedy and John were really into it and they actually mixed 24 versions of the song Motorhead alone during those days. (!!!)
Eight of the songs ended up on the album: Motorhead, Vibrator, Lost Johnny, Iron Horse/Born To Loose, White Line Fever, Keep Us On The Road, The Watcher, Train Kept A Rollin.' Motorhead was released as a single with City Kids on the B-Side on 10th, June. The Four remaining songs: Instro, Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers, On Parole, and I'm Your Witch Doctor ended up on an E.P. released in 1980 on the Big Beat label titled 'Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers''
Side 1: Motorhead
On Parole
Vibrator
Iron Horse/Born To Loose
Side 2:
City Kids
Fools
The Watcher
Leaving Here
Lost Johnny.
Worldwide Releases LP
Label Catalog Origin Date Notes
- Master Room white scotch tapes UK 1976 Acetate
- UA LBR 1004 UK 1979-12-08 --
- UA LBR 1004 UK 1979-12-08 Promo-stamp
- UA LBR 1004 UK 1979-11-?? Test Pressing
- Fame FA 3009 UK 1982-05 Re-Issue
- Fame FA 3009 UK 1982-05 Test Press-Re-Issue
- EMI FA 3251 UK 1990 Second Re-Issue
- Electrola 1A 054-83017 Ger 1979-12-08 --
- Fame 1C 038 1575421 Ger 1982 Re-Issue
- Fame 1C 038 1575421 Ger 1982 Test Pressing
- EMI 6308 Ger ???? Second Re-Issue?
- Liberty 038-79 2067 1 Ger 1986 Third Re-Issue
- Liberty 1A 054-83017 Holl 1979-12-08 --
- Fame 1C 038 1575421 Holl 1982 Re-Issue
- Pathe Marconi 183 0171 Fra 1984 2 Sleeves
- Pathe Marconi 183 0171 Fra 1984 Test Pressing
- Fame 1571541 Fra 1982 Re-Issue
- Liberty 062 1830171 Gre 1982? --
- MFP 046-1830171 Spa 1983 --
- Liberty 056-1830171 Spa 1983 --
- EMI 4 1830171 Italy 1979-12-08 --
- Liberty LN 66125 Can 1983 --
- EMI LN 10340 USA 1982 --
- Liberty MID 18 Aus 1979? --
- Liberty MID 18 NZ 1979? --
- Liberty MID 18 NZ 1979? Promo
- EMI/Liberty 064 183017-1 Bra 1989 Seri luxo
- EMI/Liberty 064 183017-1 Bra 1989 Promo Seri luxo
- EMI/Liberty 064 183017-1 Bra 1979? Seri standard
- EMI/Liberty 31C 040 83017 Bra 1979? Seri standard
- EMI/Liberty 1C 038 1571541 Arg 1979? --.
- EMI/Liberty 1C 038 1571541 Arg 1982? Promo
- EMI/Liberty SLEM 1169 Mex 1983 --
- EMI SLEM 1169 Mex 1983 Master Tape
- Back On Black BOBV166LP UK 2009-09 2LP white vinyl
- Back On Black BOBV166LP UK 2009-09 2LP Test Press
- Back On Black BOBV166LP UK 2009-09 2LP Red/Clear
Label Catalog No. Origin Date Notes
- EMI CD-FA 3251 UK 1999-10
- Cleopatra CD LL 5666 Can 1991-12-16 Long Box
- Cleopatra CD LL 5666 USA 1991-12-16 Cloth Bag Black and/or Purple
- EMI 7243 8 54794 2 7 UK 1997-02-03 Re-isuue/RM w/Bonus tracks
- EMI 7243 8 54794 2 7 EU 1997-02-03 Re-issue/RM w/Bonus tracks
- EMI 7243 8 54794 2 7 Italy 1997 Re-issue/RM w/Bonus tracks
- EMI 7243 8 54794 2 7 Aus 1997 Re-issue/RM w/Bonus tracks
- EMI 7243 9 54794 2 7 Arg 1997 Re-issue/RM w/Bonus tracks
- Disky SI 901611 Holl 2004-02-26 3rd Re-Iss./RM w.bonus
- Disky SI 901611 Holl 2007-03-15 4th Re-Iss/RM w/bonus
- Agat Company LTD ??? Rus 2001? Pirate w/Motorhead & Louie Louie
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