Hawkwind

Originally named Group X, then later Hawkwind Zoo before dropping the Zoo, the group started out with former Famous Cure members Dave Brock and Mick Slattery. The duo were join by Nik Turner, Terry Ollis, Dik Mik and John Harrison and were signed to United Artists in 1969, performing at the sort of hippie-lovin' open-air gigs prevalent at the time. Their self-titled debut arrived in 1970, but the sci-fi tripped-out influence was laid on heavier for their second album, 1971's In Search Of Space. The group, that now featured Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister on bass, enjoyed a top 3 single in 1972 with Silver Machine, and their next album hit the top 20. Lemmy left the group in 1975 to form Motorhead and the band recruited sci-fi author Michael Moorcock to write lyrics and play guitar and mandolin. As well as being embroiled in a lengthy legal battle over the use of the band name, the group altered its line-up through the 1980s releasing albums on their own label. Calvert's sudden death in 1988 changed the band's composition again, but the group continued to evolve its space-rock sound releasing records up until 2000.