We're proud to present Lemmy's replies to your questions.  Lemmy needs no introduction from me, so let's get on with the interview!  (Lemmy wrote these replies just before Christmas 1999.)

Joe Loehr: I love your work with Hawkwind and your work with Motorhead. My question is about your HW days:

How much writing input did you have on the songs that you didn't write? For example, "Lord Of Light" on Doremi Fasol Latido, which is credited to Dave Brock. Did Dave come into the studio with the song fully written, note for note, or was it more of a 'jam', here everyone just fiddled with it until you got something that sounded good?

Lemmy: Dave or Bob or Nik would have the basic, then we'd jam.

Pekka Pesonen: Hi Lemmy! What Hawkwind-album do you like most?

Lemmy: Either Space Ritual or Mountain Grill.

vankila: I remember that i read somewhere that you once said that Bob Calvert was even loonier than you? Your song "Back to the funnyfarm" has some relation to that?

Lemmy: No. But he was!

vankila: What do you think of that Ace of Spades remix that was included on one motorhead Best Of release? How about Silver Machine remix?

Lemmy: An abomination.

Neil Price: Hi Lemmy, I would like to suggest that Motorhead and Hawkwind tour the world together as the HEADWIND CIRCUS - any possibility? Better still how about rejoining Hawkwind on a permanent basist!?

Lemmy: Unlikely.

burntcookie1: Why aren't you touring the States more???

Lemmy: 2 tours this year not enough?

JP_Brookes: How many more years do you think you can keep going?

Lemmy: More than you.

Ian Fines: Hey Lemmy... I'm from Michigan and always wondered if it was true that you were busted in our dear state. Or was it Canada, or both? I saw you opening for Sabbath in '94...unfortunately the sound was terrible. You still kicked out the jams tho. Are you involved with the movie in-development about the great MC5? Have they tried to interview you yet? Also, do you still use a Rickenbacher?

Lemmy: Busted in Windsor. Interviewed - yes. I still abuse a Rick.

nobblywobbly: Hi Lemmy! A pal and I were in Hollywood (+Vegas) for 2 weeks holiday and saw you in the Rainbow quite often. Didn't want to spoil any atmos, so we didn't invade! I agree with your 1916 comments on the place.

Got all original Hawkwind and Motorhead stuff, saw your band 2 years ago at Portsmouth - do you know your sound guy works for Bjorn Again (me bro is bass player).

Lemmy: Yes - I know, I know!

nobblywobbly: My question is quite simple: Have you completed Pac-Man yet?

Lemmy: Almost.

Dan Ductor: I have been a fan of Hawkwind and Motorhead for more than 20 years! I just want to say thank you for all the great music and concert memories.

My question is a simple one. In your opinion, what is/was your favorite Hawkwind song and album?

Lemmy: See above for album. Track would be "Master."

Richard: Hello there Lemmy!

Lemmy: Hello there!

Richard: I'm in Vancouver, Canada...and you were here this year. I met a bloke called Tim who works for A&B Sound here. He's well connected in music here, I think...says he used to hang out and jam with Del Dettmar a few years back.

Anyway. I want to get Hawkwind to play a night in Vancouver. This bloke Tim said that Motorhead are huge here in Vancouver... probably 'cos of the Angels. And basically if Lemmy was in, we'd get a lot of people together for the gig!

It'd blow people away to hear your bass within Hawkwind.

Whaddaya say, Lemmy? Will you join Hawkwind for the North American West coast part of the tour and bring them to Vancouver?

If you did, you would make a dream come true, probably for a lot of west coast Canadians.

Lemmy: Probably difficult to reconcile schedules.

Ami, from freezing Finland!: I got a chance to listen to the Sam Gopal's Escalator album the other day. How do you feel about those tracks today? Personally I think that most of them are bloody great...they're after all your composition's, more or less???

Lemmy: Could have been better - but I like them OK.

Mike: I saw you play w/Hawkwind in Boston in April, 1974... the show was spectacular... I remember the volume was the loudest I had ever heard... from what I can recall, I felt the bass notes resonating in my bones for days... Do you have any plans to visit the states, w/Hawkwind or Motorhead, in the future?... Also, is there any truth to the so-called "riff" between yourself & Dave Brock?... or is it just another crock of "s***"... whatever the case, just want to say, that you play a "mean bass", and the best Hawkwind recordings have you in the lineup... thanx for the "blanga"!!!

Lemmy: Me & Dave are OK. Thanks for the compliments!

rupert.cotton: Despite the fact that speed was legal when Lemmy got busted, and if it was a mistake on the customs side then how come Lemmy still got chucked out of the band? And was it a piss take that Hawkwind were one of the first to support Motorhead?

Lemmy: Speed wasn't legal - but it was wrongful charge - cocaine; and we supported Hawkwind!

rupert.cotton: how much do you charge for a movie and if you wish to collaborate with the script get in touch with bad acid in poole

Lemmy: How much have you got?

Keith Henderson: Alan Davey has said that he wanted to learn to play bass upon hearing your playing on "Time We Left..." from Space Ritual. Was there anything you heard that made you want to play bass (or switch to bass, given that you played guitar with Sam Gopal)? So who do you think should become Bass Assassin #3? And do any recordings of Opal Butterfly exist?

Lemmy: I played bass 'cos they decided they didn't want a guitarist! Bass Assassin #3 - Yogi, Skew Siskin. No Butterfly stuff with me on it.

Rev Paul Stevens (a real rocking vicar!): You obviously were the Ace of Bass in Hawkwind, but who was your favourite out of your successors? Dr Who? The Space Dwarf?

Lemmy: Alan Davey - no doubt.

darren kachuba: Hi Lemmy thanks for all the Toronto and area shows. Will Motorhead and Hawkwind ever do a show in Toronto of close to us and what's it feel like played in two of the greatest bands I have ever enjoyed listening to. and what's in the future for Motorhead and will Motorhead come to Toronto soon and thanks for all the excellent music and concerts.

Lemmy: We've just played Toronto! Last May!

Dan (a limey in the US): How did both versions of the song "Motorhead" come about - one has Dave doing the vocal & the other one has yourself & a violin solo???

Lemmy: Dave fucked the track about! Not my idea!

simon.d.walker: Having followed Motorhead ever since the early days of Hastings Pier in the mid 70's right thru to, Hastings in the late 90's! and various guest appearences with Hawkwind in between. I have just one question for you. "How could a person of such intellectual standing, such as you, could ever pose for a picture with Tara Palmer-Tomkinson. Anybody else, even the Nolans, but her?"

Lemmy: I like women.

Jim, North Wales: What was "Lost Johnny" all about? I bet its not in the way I'm thinking!

Lemmy: Mick Farren wrote it so it's his paranoia, not mine!

Ian Abrahams: It's been a long time since you were (unceremoniously) ejected from the mothership! What keeps you coming back for so many very welcome guest appearances?

Lemmy: I just can't resist it.

carrie: Lemmy, what's the most important thing in your life today?

Lemmy: Breathing.

jthomas: Is Motorhead going to tour again?

Lemmy: Yes.

john.parsons: You've spent many years in the music business since you left Hawkwind, what do you think keeps the "Hawkwind Legend" alive?

Lemmy: Hawkwind.

RMayo: Hey, Lem! Settle a matter of great debate, please: for whom did the fledgling Motorhead open for on their first-ever and legendary gig at the Roundhouse, if anyone? some say Hawkwind, some say Blue Oyster Cult, some assume Motorhead headlined as the majority of written material written about Motorhead doesn't name another band at all as being part of the gig. what's the deal, if you would be so kind?

Lemmy: Greenslade!!

5AMBLEW: Are Motorhead bringing out any albums next year?

Lemmy: Yes.

kh: What's your favourite Hawkwind album of the 90's? And what do you think of Alan Davey's bass playing?

Lemmy: Alan's fine. I haven't really heard the albums.

jskinner: If you were stuck on the proverbial desert island - what music would you.take and what would be your luxury item?

Lemmy: Everything. And fly spray.

jskinner: How would you describe the attitude and atmosphere of HW (and the fans) in the early 70's?

Lemmy: Brained, but good!

jskinner: Do you ever get tired of being idolised for being in a band that you left nearly 25 years ago or are you still as proud of the music (movement?) you were part of?

Lemmy: No. Yes.

jskinner: The final, $64000 question that's at the lips of all of us fans is - when are the reunion gigs gonna happen? I'm still a relative newcomer to Hawkwind - only 19 years I'm afraid - and I know that I'd kill to see the people that made the music that literally changed my life.

Lemmy: Possibly in 2000.

jskinner: Sounds sycophantic doesn't it but it's true. Hawkwind are the band that's blown more minds than any other and every musician involved in the band has made a noticeable contribution.

Lemmy: Thanks, Jim.

freddo456: How long were you playing Bass before you actually learned what you were doing?

Lemmy: About 2 years.

freddo456: Do you plan to win back Motorhead's "Loudest Band in the World" title now that it's been stolen by Metallica?

Lemmy: Manowar, actually. Who cares?

bernhard.pospiech: What was your favorite HAWKWIND gig and why?

Lemmy: Don't remember!

Hugh Parsons: Which time was the best for you in Hawkwind and also in Motorhead. Also could you find time to rejoin Hawkwind and keep the Head rolling. Any chance of full 40 date tours of the UK, ideally with both bands?

Lemmy: Don't want much, do you?

Steve Litchfield: The greatest component of Hawkwind's sound, in their 'finest hour', was for me your partnership with Simon King on Space Ritual, Doremi etc. Terrific stuff, and I've followed both of you (e.g. in Motorhead) from that day. From the various histories of Hawkwind, I know that it was you that introduced Simon to the band, following on from the year or so you spent with him in Opal Butterfly, and presumably you were friends(!). Have you any idea why Simon gave up drumming (circa 1980) and what happened to him thereafter?

Lemmy: I believe he's an antique dealer.

Detlef Varga: In early years (and nowadays as sure) I've heard Motorhead (and of course Hawkwind) as well as the other metal bands, such as Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Venom and all the unnamed others, but your sound and stage-show was so imaginated for me, that in the past I could no longer sitting on the chair of stupid working-man.

Lemmy: I see.

Detlef Varga: So I went to the other side of life, the better way of life without daily force to make money or to have been successful, such as others human beings day for day ran away for themselves and losing their own roots.

Lemmy: Yes, I know.

Detlef Varga: At this time I've made my own way and was no longer impressed by things such as government, police, moral statements, general patterns and so on, and all the bothering low-level thinking was throwed overboard. This was my basement of living truly.... in peace with me and environment....

Lemmy: Exactly.

Detlef Varga: And now (for years ago) I'm more successful as all the others dead-walking-men, and this was not the reason of luck or money, it was the way of turning life into odyssey of mind and power.

Lemmy: Way to go!

Detlef Varga: So I thank you very much for inspiration and hard music (Ace of Spades!), for thinking different and getting the real way to come alive in this dirty and sucking world (or is it heaven?!?).

Lemmy: I dunno.

Detlef Varga: Let's smoking and drinking, have fun and pleasure; sex is great and the only way to turn the other fucking assholes is kicking them as hard as we can!

Lemmy: That is the truth.

Detlef Varga: In this way I greet you well and I would be happy about a little response.

Lemmy: Die besten Wunsche fur frohe Weihnachtstage und fur ein gluckliches und erfolgreiches neues Jahr!

Alan Jones: Favourite HW song, tour and album and why?

Lemmy: As above.

Alan Jones: P.S. Although I live in the Cayman Islands I'll be over for the reunion in March 2000. See u there?

Lemmy: Hopefully.

Danigdm: Lemmy. Do you feel like a nut?

Lemmy: No. I hate nuts. I like raisins.

Subsct: Lemmy, subsct here wanting to know how you dealt with Calvert's "demeanour" day to day on tour?

Lemmy: I used to hit him.

hawkins: Do you feel you would have influenced Hawkwind's direction if you had remained in the 70s?

Lemmy: Do you mean "would I have continued influencing" their direction?

hawkwind@music.com: In the years you've played with Hawkwind , what is your favourite memory, or, memories?

Lemmy: God help us, I don't know!

jono: Hi man we met over 16 years ago on the Another Perfect Day tour Sheffield University - we ended up in Rebels night club - just wanna say thanks for the company you were a real genuine gent. Lemmy, my question "is it true you stick lead pencils into your speaker cones to get that distinctive distorted tone".

Lemmy: Only once. It worked though!

psellers: Do you think you'll ever move back to England?

Lemmy: Don't know - probably not.

Animal: How are you drunked? Hello from Genoa. Your fan Tony Ace.

Lemmy: With drink. Buon giorno.

BELATHAUZER: Well. this is not a question... it's just an accomplishment: 'wanna thank you, Hawkwind and Motorhead for the GREAT great music you create, and which is a huge part of my life and musical playing and listening. Keep on rockin' beyond the majority and asshole medias... CHEERZ!

Lemmy: Thanks. I mean it.

Tim, Blackpool: Did you ever play with The Rockin Vicars from Blackpool?

Lemmy: Yes, '65-'67.

feetofclay: Have you seen the fnords?

Lemmy: No, but I know a guy that has.

Henrik Johnsen: Hail Dark Lord Lemmy! I have a few questions I hope to get answered by you: On records such as Doremi Fasol Latido and "Psychedelic Warlords " you used various effects on the bass. What were they? Were they mostly added in mixing or did you use them live?

Lemmy: In the mix.

Henrik: Are there any recordings of you pre-HW available?

Lemmy: Sam Gopal, Rockin' Vickers, something like that.

Henrik: Was your sacking from HW really a result of "acid-peace&love-hippie" Nik Turner wanting to get rid of "speed-psycho-rocker" Lemmy?

Lemmy: He just apologized 3 weeks ago, actually!

gotlas: did you record with a group called freedom?

Lemmy: No.

joel: Are you made of leather? Why aren't you dead yet, you child of the generator?

Lemmy: No. 'Cos I'm alive. And my Mum's name is Jessie.

sprice: Hey Lemmy, were any recordings ever made of Opal Butterfly or The Rockin Vicars? Are they available? And if you remember.... why was the Motorhead gig in detroit two years ago cancelled? YOU ROCK!

Lemmy: No Butterfly - Vickers! "Stella/Zing Went the Strings"; "It's Alright/Stay by Me"; "Dandy/I Don't Need Your Kind". Three singles.

Gerald & Germana: When will you play in Vienna again? Maybe in reunion with HAWKWIND?

Lemmy: Maybe.

Henrik: GREETINGS ASTRAL RODENTS! Sorry about mailing a questionaire Lemmique nearly identical to the one I mailed yesterday, but I mistakenly called the HOTMG album PSIco.-delique Warlurdz, but hey the smoke was really thick yesterday. Anyway, this is the right one !!!

May you boldly gnaw where no rat etc.

Lemmy: If not sooner!

IainFerguson: Lemmy, Both my Cat and Son are named after you and both want to know if you will ever write a "life & times of a speed freak" type autobiography, I for one have been following you since 77 , unfortunately I missed you in Hawkwind, but did see you on the 25th anniversary gig.

I know it would be a great read, PS not true about my son, but my cat is called Iron Horse.

Lemmy: Good name for a cat.

micki-douglas: did you ever fall off the bomber!!!!!!

Lemmy: No.

Mick Crook: As well as playing bass with Hawkwind, you've also played guitar on some recordings e.g. "Lost Johnny" on Hall of the Mountain Grill. Did you ever play any guitar live on stage with Hawkwind, and did Dave ever play any bass?

Lemmy: No. But I played guitar on "The Watcher" and "Space is Deep" on Doremi.

brad: Hey Lemmy - Do you recall playing The Concert Hall in Toronto, Canada with Razor in '92? I believe it was one of the first tours with Wurzel. Anyhow, the reason I ask is because I was there and you guys smoked! I remember that you stopped the show during 'Love Me like a Reptile' because, as you said, 'some little fucker just spat phlegm from his fucking throat on me -- and I don't like it!' and then you said that if we saw who did it we should 'cripple 'em, cuz they just stopped your show.'

Well, to make a long story short - me and my brother Patrick who rode with the Hell's Angels at the time, did just that! We gave the little shit a taste of the iron fist.

Rest assured, that if he did any spitting after that it was through broken teeth.

Lemmy: Thank you kindly, gentlemen!

dawnrazor: I started listening to Hawkwind since 1971 and after 28 years I still think that in today's music scene of pabulum puking soft teenybop pretty boys and underage upcoming porn queens the music you guys put out still kicks ass. keep rocking and continue the search for space and will you do some dates with Hawkwind besides your continuing gig with Motorhead.

Lemmy: So do I. See local press for details.

Dave in Chicago: Lemmy, seen you guys 4 times this year, twice in Chicago and twice in Milwaukee, looking forward to your return, any chance of hearing a few classics in your set next time, maybe "The Watcher," "Motorhead" or "Silver machine," remember back before the Orgasmatron days Wurzel was described as the least known guitarist around and that gave him a foot in the door to join the band, I'm even less known, what would I have to do to jam with you guys? What would it take to play through your rig? I play Les Pauls but love playing bass also, have a 76 4001 in burgundy, love it! Hope to see you guys again soon.

Lemmy: Come and see us again.

Ron: I really dig your work on the Doremi Fasol Latido album.... How come Motorhead never covered "The Watcher" or am I just misinformed?

Lemmy: It was on the first Motorhead album!

Alex, Sweden: If and when the reunion shows takes off, which tune would you like to play most: "Lost Johnny" or "The Watcher"?

Lemmy: Not "Lost Johnny"!

bnkctl: One from Bahrain, plenty of Animal Husbandry opportunities out here if you get bored of women.

Question: you once hinted at a foul act of revenge after you were "dismissed" from the band. What was this foul act and has Brocky forgiven you after all this time?

Lemmy: I went home and screwed all their girlfriends! No, but I've forgiven him!

hawkquark: Whatever happened to Dik Mik and Del Dettmar?

Lemmy: Del's in Canada - dunno about Mik.

Jim S: I forgot to ask you the one question that's been on our lips for years: What is it with you and Dave Brock? Are you both trying to try for the record of having your own band for the longest?

Lemmy: Yes and no.

Jim S: P.s. The Astoria gig was a blinder. Why did it finish so early though?

Lemmy: Early?

Jim Hawkwindmotorheadfan: Sir Lemmy, if you ever played a bass other than your Rickenbacker, what was it? And what got you hooked on the Rick itself?

Lemmy: I originally had a Hopf bass (German) - switched in '71. The shape.

mindferret: HOW BAD IS YOUR HEARING?

Lemmy: WHAT?