Dave Brock

The co-founder and longtime creative spark behind space rock pioneers <a href="spotify:artist:2jK54ZlZhTF1TxygsVeR05">Hawkwind</a>, guitarist/singer Dave Brock was born in Isleworth, England. After first receiving a banjo from his uncle, he was later given a guitar by his parents. Initially influenced by jazz, the young Brock spent his formative years frequenting local clubs, eventually joining a New Orleans-style band. From there he developed an interest in the blues, playing alongside future <a href="spotify:artist:2lxX1ivRYp26soIavdG9bX">Yardbirds</a> <a href="spotify:artist:6PAt558ZEZl0DmdXlnjMgD">Eric Clapton</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:7MO151Amm0ur31ope7pLki">Keith Relf</a>. Brock further honed his craft busking on the streets of London before joining the Dharma Blues Band; he also formed the short-lived psychedelic outfit Famous Cure before founding <a href="spotify:artist:2jK54ZlZhTF1TxygsVeR05">Hawkwind</a> in 1969. Forging a distinctively hallucinatory hard rock sound heavily influenced by science fiction themes, <a href="spotify:artist:2jK54ZlZhTF1TxygsVeR05">Hawkwind</a> attracted a loyal cult following before tasting mainstream success with their 1972 U.K. smash "Silver Machine." Although countless lineup changes plagued the group (counting lyricist/singer Robert Calvert and future <a href="spotify:artist:1DFr97A9HnbV3SKTJFu62M">Motörhead</a> frontman Lemmy Kilmister among the most notable alumni), Brock remained <a href="spotify:artist:2jK54ZlZhTF1TxygsVeR05">Hawkwind</a>'s musical focus and primary songwriter throughout its existence. In 1978, a number of former members sued Brock over rights to the <a href="spotify:artist:2jK54ZlZhTF1TxygsVeR05">Hawkwind</a> name, and as a consequence 1978's 25 Years On was credited to <a href="spotify:artist:0N8rhjytnqVsz7IWQ9pJ3Q">the Hawklords</a>. The matter was eventually resolved, however, and despite remaining little-known abroad, <a href="spotify:artist:2jK54ZlZhTF1TxygsVeR05">Hawkwind</a> remains a hugely popular touring act at home even three decades beyond their original inception. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi