Slash Throws Back to Motörhead’s 1981 Live Era

Slash recently gave fans a rock history lesson on his Instagram feed (https://www.instagram.com/p/DK_ve6Uupig/) by reposting a series of striking archival shots titled “Motörhead – Motorhead 1981.” The minimalist caption—“repost from @motorhead.ww Motörhead – Motorhead 1981 iiii]; )’”—belies the impact of those three black-and-white images. In each frame, Lemmy Kilmister’s gravel-voiced roar, “Fast” Eddie Clarke’s razor-edge guitar work and Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor’s thunderous drums take center stage, offering a raw snapshot of rock’s unfiltered power.

Throwback To 1981

The three photos transport viewers back to an era when Motörhead’s raw speed-metal sound was still forging its legend. The first shot freezes Lemmy mid-riff, his Rickenbacker bass slung low and snarling into the mic. Next, Eddie Clarke leans into a windmill-style riff, his Gibson SG blistering under stage lights. The final image captures Taylor behind a wall of cymbals and toms, every drumstick strike punctuating the band’s breakneck pace. It’s a visual time capsule of a tour that cemented Motörhead’s no-frills reputation and inspired countless guitarists—including Slash himself.

Slash’s Rock Heritage

Born Saul Hudson on July 23, 1965, Slash rose to fame as the top-hatted lead guitarist of Guns N’ Roses, penning riffs on classics like “Sweet Child o’ Mine” and later driving Velvet Revolver’s hard-rock resurgence. Over a career spanning four decades, he’s openly cited Lemmy and Motörhead among his biggest influences. In interviews, Slash has praised the band’s commitment to volume, speed and a DIY ethos that blurred the lines between punk and metal. Reposting these 1981 live photos reaffirms how deeply that spirit shaped his own musical journey.

Fans React To The Throwback

Within hours, Slash’s Story was flooded with fan comments and tagged memories. Longtime followers dropped heart and fire emojis under the repost, while newer fans marveled at the grainy footage of a bygone rock era. A handful of guitarists tagged Slash with requests for a Motörhead-style cover at an upcoming show, and others shared personal photos from 1980s concerts, creating a chain of intergenerational rock fandom. Several comments called the images “timeless” and thanked Slash for shining a light on the band’s foundational years.

Enduring Influence

Motörhead’s stripped-down attack and Lemmy’s gravel-whiskey voice helped define speed metal and left an indelible mark on hard rock. By spotlighting those 1981 snapshots, Slash underscores the band’s enduring relevance. His nod also reinforces the camaraderie among rock’s icons—one guitarist passing the torch of raw sonic power to the next. As Slash continues to tour and record, his public salute to Motörhead reminds fans that every riff begins with a reverence for the trailblazers.

For anyone eager to revisit that incendiary live energy, Slash’s repost fans the flames, proving that some rock moments never fade. His tribute to Motörhead’s early live prowess is both a thank-you note to Lemmy and a call to newer audiences: turn it up loud, and feel the history.

Trivia

In 2012, Slash released his self-titled solo album, which featured a variety of guest musicians and showcased his versatility as a guitarist.

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Reshmi Das

 

Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a content writer, covering parenting and films. She writes for Hollywoodjunction and Momjunction. Her interest in journaling and writing made this biotechnology postgraduate to take up content as her full-time profession.

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