Why Motörhead's 'Fast' Eddie Clarke earned his name through a single guitar note

History · Published 6 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Edward Allan Clarke was a pillar of the classic Motörhead lineup, yet his iconic nickname had nothing to do with speed. Instead, it was a nod to his mastery of a specific tremolo picking technique. Discover the story behind the guitarist who helped define the sound of heavy metal.

Born in 1950, Edward Allan Clarke began his musical journey in local bands before turning professional in 1973 with Curtis Knight's blues-rock group, Zeus. His path eventually crossed with Motörhead, where he joined Lemmy and Phil Taylor to form the band's definitive trio. Together, they produced legendary albums such as Ace of Spades and Bomber, cementing their place in rock history. Despite his success, Clarke's tenure with the group ended abruptly in 1982 following a final performance at the New York Palladium.

The circumstances of his departure remain a subject of debate. While popular accounts suggested he resigned over creative disagreements regarding a collaboration with the Plasmatics, Clarke later disputed this narrative. He claimed he was excluded from the band against his wishes, noting that he had envisioned playing with Motörhead until the end of his life. Following his exit, he was replaced by guitarist Brian Robertson, though Clarke eventually reconciled with his former bandmates, even reuniting with Lemmy on stage as late as 2014.

After Motörhead, Clarke founded the band Fastway alongside UFO bassist Pete Way. Despite early setbacks, including Way's departure just before signing a record deal, the band found success with vocalist Dave King. Clarke continued to evolve musically, later exploring his blues roots and releasing solo work. He passed away in 2018 at age 67 while being treated for pneumonia, leaving behind a legacy that spanned decades of rock and roll evolution, from the raw energy of the 1970s to his final blues-infused projects.

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