Lemmy Kilmister
50 years since bassist and vocalist Lemmy Kilmister formed heavy metal icons Motörhead, a long-lost album from 1976 is set for release.
Originally recorded in August 1976, The Manticore Tapes is a snapshot of the first recording with the band’s classic ’70s and ’80s lineup, including Kilmister, drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor and guitarist “Fast” Eddie Clarke.
The 11-track release came to be when the group set up at Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s Manticore Studio to rehearse and record with Ron Faucus. Ultimately, the tapes of this session were lost, but have since been recovered, with restoration undertaken by Cameron Webb and mastering done by Andrew Alekel.
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The result is a record which captures Motörhead in their formative period, fresh from the early lineup which recorded the tracks that would later make up 1979’s On Parole album, yet hungry with the ambition that would turn them into one of the U.K.’s biggest heavy exports of the ’70s and ’80s.
Many of the tracks present on The Manticore Tapes are early versions of those found on the band’s 1977 self-titled debut and On Parole. This includes the likes of the eponymous “Motörhead,” “Vibrator” and “The Watcher.”
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Additionally, the new package features alternate takes and instrumental versions of “Iron Horse/Born to Lose” and their cover of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers’ “Witch Doctor,” and an early version of Eddie Holland’s “Leaving Here,” of which a re-recorded version would be issued as the band’s debut single.
Word of the newly-announced collection also comes alongside the single release of “Motörhead,” allowing listeners to gain a deeper insight into the evolution of the track as it flirts with R&B and blues before making the leap into the hard rock classic it would become.
The Manticore Tapes is officially set for release On June 27, with a deluxe edition also featuring their Blitzkreig on Birmingham ’77 live record, and a previously-unreleased 7″ single titled Live at Barbarella’s Birmingham ’77.
Clarke would later depart Motörhead in 1982, and Taylor would follow in 1984 though he rejoined for five years from 1987. Both musicians would briefly appear onstage with Motörhead again in 2014, though Taylor would pass away in November 2015 at the age of 61, with Kilmister following the next month at 70, ultimately putting an end to the band. Clarke would later pass away in 2018 at the age of 67.
Just weeks after Scorpions drummer Mikkey Dee detailed his near-death experience following a sepsis diagnosis, the band has made the decision to postpone their upcoming Las Vegas residency.
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The residency was originally slated to launch on Feb. 28 and run until March 11 as part of the German band’s 60th anniversary celebration. Performing at PH Live at Planet Hollywood and supported by Buckcherry, the group took to social media late last week to announce their new dates.
“We regret to inform you that due to Mikkey Dee’s ongoing recovery from his recent hospitalization, we have made the decision to postpone our Coming Home to Las Vegas Residency to August 2025,” they wrote. “The health and well-being of our brother is of the utmost importance. We wish Mikkey a full and speedy recovery and look forward to rocking with you all again soon!”
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The new dates will see the Scorpions performing in Las Vegas from Aug. 14 – 23, with all previous tickets honored for the new dates. The group are still scheduled to return to the stage in March, with a Mexico City show set for March 15.
Dee first detailed his health issues in early January, revealing he had been hospitalized following a “very serious” blood infection. He later expanded upon the health scare in an interview with Swedish publication Aftonbladet, explaining that what began as a simple sprain quickly evolved into something far worse on the weekend before Christmas.
“The ankle swelled up like hell, then it took on a weird shape and appearance and looked like an overcooked ham,” Dee said. “I became very ill so I had to go by ambulance to Sahlgrenska and there they found that I had sky-high values, so I became priority one there.
“It was surgery right away, the first of three. They cut away what was dead and infected and badly infested. It was not a good journey I was on… Another day and I’d be playing drums with Lemmy in heaven. I can say that.”
Somewhat coincidentally, his near-death experience took place almost nine years to the day since his Motörhead bandmate Lemmy Kilmister passed away, on Dec. 28, 2015.
Dee has performed with Scorpions since early 2016, joining the band in the wake of Motörhead’s untimely dissolution in late 2016. To date, Dee has only played on one of the band’s albums, providing percussion for their 19th album, 2022’s Rock Believer.
Former Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee says he’s lucky to be alive following a sepsis diagnosis over the holiday period.
The Swedish percussionist shared news of his health scare on social media on Thursday (Dec. 2), explaining that he had been hospitalized following a blood infection he described as “very serious”.
“I was admitted for three weeks but now I am home fighting this bastard bacteria,” he shared. “Thankfully, I have received fantastic care at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, my hometown.
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“So thanks a million to all the Doctors and Nurses that have been giving me the most excellent care,” he added. “After several operations, I am now back home and the numbers are all going in the right direction. Still lots of recovery and rehab in front of me.”
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In an interview with Swedish publication Aftonbladet, Dee expanded upon the experience. He told the outlet that what began as a simple sprain quickly evolved into something far worse on the weekend before Christmas.
“The ankle swelled up like hell, then it took on a weird shape and appearance and looked like an overcooked ham,” Dee said. “I became very ill so I had to go by ambulance to Sahlgrenska and there they found that I had sky-high values, so I became priority one there.
“It was surgery right away, the first of three. They cut away what was dead and infected and badly infested. It was not a good journey I was on… Another day and I’d be playing drums with Lemmy in heaven. I can say that.”
In some strange synchronicity, Dee’s brush with death occurred almost nine years to the day since his Motörhead bandmate Lemmy Kilmister passed away, on Dec. 28, 2015. Notably, his health scare also took place mere weeks after he took to social media to refute premature reports of his death.
First rising to fame as a member of Danish outfit King Diamond in the ’80s, a stint with Don Dokken saw Dee recruited by Motörhead to replace Phil ‘Philthy Animal’ Taylor on drums. Dee would remain with the group until their 2015 dissolution in the wake of Lemmy’s passing, and joined German rockers the Scorpions the following year.
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