Hawkwind are an English rock band known as one of the earliest space rock groups. Since their formation in November 1969, Hawkwind have gone through many incarnations and have incorporated many assorted styles into their music, including hard rock, progressive rock, and psychedelic rock. They are regarded as an influential proto-punk band. Their lyrics favour urban and science fiction themes.
Many musicians, dancers and writers have worked with the band:
Members: Dave Brock (guitar, vocals, keyboards), Nik Turner (saxophone, flute, vocals, 1969-76, 1982-85), Terry Ollis (drums, 1969-72), DikMik [Michael Davies] (keyboards, 1969-71, 1971-73), John Harrison (bass, 1969-70), Mick Slattery (guitar, 1969), Huw Lloyd-Langton (guitar, 1969-71, 1979-88), Thomas Crimble (bass, 1970-71), Dave Anderson (bass, 1971-72), Del Dettmar (keyboards, 1971-74), Robert Calvert (vocals, poetry, 1972-73, 1975-78), Lemmy (bass, vocals, 1972-75), Simon King (drums, 1972-80), Simon House (violin, keyboards, 1973-78, 1989-91), Alan Powell (drums, 1974-76), Paul Rudolph (bass, 1975-76), Adrian Shaw (bass, 1976-78), Harvey Bainbridge (bass, keyboards, 1979-91), Tim Blake (keyboards, 1979-80, 2008-present), Ginger Baker (drums, 1980-81), Keith Hale (keyboards, 1980-81), Martin Griffin (drums, 1980-83), Andy Anderson (drums, 1983), Rob Heaton (drums, 1983), Dead Fred (keyboards, violin, 1983-84), Rick Martinez (drums, 1983), Clive Deamer (drums, 1983-85), Alan Davey (bass, 1984-96).
However, the band’s most strongly associated with their founder, singer, songwriter, and guitarist Dave Brock, who is the only remaining original member.
Hawkwind’s most successful song is “Silver Machine”, which became a number-three UK hit single in 1972, though they scored further hit singles with “Urban Guerrilla” (another Top 40 hit) and “Shot Down in the Night”. The band had a run of twenty-two of their albums charting in the UK from 1971 to 1993 and another eight between 2012 and 2023.