Motorhead Guitarist And Fastway Founding Member "Fast" Eddie Clarke Dead At 67

He had been hospitalised with pneumonia


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Motörhead guitarist and Fastway founding member "Fast" Eddie Clarke died on Wednesday at the age of 67.

The news was confirmed in a statement on Motörhead's Facebook page, with the group revealing that Clarke had passed away peacefully in hospital where he was being treated for pneumonia.

"We are devastated to pass on the news we only just heard ourselves earlier tonight," the post read. "Edward Allan Clarke - or as we know and love him Fast Eddie Clarke - passed away peacefully yesterday.

"Fast Eddie... keep roaring, rockin' and rollin' up there as goddamit man, your Motörhead family would expect nothing less."

There were also individual statements from both Phil Campbell, who was one of Clarke's replacements, and former Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee.

"Such a shock," Campbell said. "He will be remembered for his iconic riffs and was a true rock n roller. RIP Eddie."

Dee wrote: "Oh . my f*cking God, this is terrible news, the last of the three amigos. I saw Eddie not too long ago and he was in great shape. So this is a complete shock.

"Me and Eddie always hit it off great. I was looking forward to seeing him in the UK this summer when we come around with the [Scorpions]...

"Now Lem and Philthy can jam with Eddie again and if you listen carefully I'm sure you'll hear them, so watch out!!!

"My thoughts go out to Eddie's family and close ones."

Clarke was born in London in 1950 and was the last surviving member of Motörhead's classic line-up with Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor and Lemmy Kilmister.

According to Kilmister, Clarke earned his "Fast" Eddie nickname not long after joining the group in 1977, writing in his autobiography: "It was logical. Eddie was a fast guitar player."

Following his departure from Motörhead, Clarke enjoyed success with Fastway and has released a number of solo projects including 1994's It Ain't Over Till It's Over and, most recently, Make My Day - Back to Blues.

 

12 January 2018




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