Classic Video of Metallica as Motorhead Tribute Band The Lemmys Posted Online
There's no doubt that Metallica love Motorhead, and now there's some additional video footage to prove it. Back in 1995, the Metallica members, decked out in long black-haired wigs, took the stage at Los Angeles' Whisky-a-Go-Go to play a set of Motorhead songs in honor of Lemmy Kilmister's 50th birthday. Now, the famous venue has just posted video from the performance on YouTube.
During the evening, the band went under the moniker 'The Lemmys' as they ripped through a set that included 'Overkill,' 'Damage Case,' 'Stone Dead Forever,' 'Too Late, Too Late,' 'The Chase Is Better Than the Catch,' 'We Are the Road Crew' and a reprise of 'Overkill.' During 'We Are the Road Crew,' James Hetfield ceded vocals to bassist Jason Newsted.
"They all dressed up as me and I thought that was great," said Lemmy to VH1.com after the show. "They all had long black wigs on and penciled-in mustaches, and a tattoo drawn on one arm with a black marker. Besides, they got their tattoos on the wrong arm, too, every one of them."
Blabbermouth reports that drummer Lars Ulrich would tell the band's So What! Magazine, "After some initial hesitation, I also donned the wig and shades (try playing Motorhead songs when you have a three-foot black wig and can't see s---!), and as we walked toward the Whisky stage (for the first time since supporting Saxon in 1982), the f---ing look on people's faces, classic. I started 'Overkill' and immediately swallowed half the wig, but who gives a f---, and off we went."
The love goes both ways as Motorhead received a Grammy in 2005 for their cover of Metallica's 'Whiplash' off the 'Metallic Attack: Metallica - The Ultimate Tribute' album.
Watch Metallica (as The Lemmys) Perform at Lemmy Kilmister's 1995 Birthday Bash