Episode Details

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the life and legacy of British rock guitarist Edward Allan Clarke, better known to hard rock and heavy metal fans as "Fast" Eddie Clarke (1950–2018). Discover how Clarke earned his famous nickname—which he claimed wasn't about his overall speed, but rather his skillful tremolo picking that allowed him to play a single note incredibly fast!

We explore his early career in the 1970s with bands like Zeus and Continuous Performance, leading up to his fateful introduction to drummer Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor and Lemmy Kilmister. As a crucial piece of Motörhead's classic lineup, Clarke's blistering guitar work helped define a new era of heavy metal on legendary albums like Overkill, Bomber, Ace of Spades, No Sleep 'til Hammersmith, and Iron Fist. We also uncover rare trivia, including his reluctance to sing lead vocals despite performing on tracks like "Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers" and "Step Down".

Following his departure from Motörhead during their 1982 US tour, Clarke didn't slow down. We track his formation of the hard rock band Fastway with former UFO bassist Pete Way, their successful tours alongside AC/DC, and their soundtrack work for the 1986 film Trick Or Treat. Finally, we honor his later collaborations, his return to his blues roots, his solo work, and his passing in 2018.