Motorhead Star Dies

07/11/2011
. (Rock News Desk) Former Motorhead guitarist Wurzel has died of heart failure at the age of 61. Wurzel, real name Michael Burston, joined Lemmy's outfit in 1984 and appeared on nine albums before leaving in 1995.

He got his nickname while serving in the British Army as a corporal, when colleagues compared his appearance and character to kids' TV scarecrow Worzel Gummidge. He was already 35 years old and working as a builder when he sent a demo tape to Lemmy following the departure of Brian "Robbo" Robertson from the band. That led to an audition and the end of his pub-rock hobby.

When he arrived with fellow recruit Phil Campbell he extended Motorhead's lineup to four members. Their first public appearance together was on the cult alternative sitcom The Young Ones. His debut Motorhead album was 1984′s No Remorse for which he was lead co-writer for the single Killed By Death; and he contributed to Orgasmatron, Rock'n'Roll, No Sleep At All, The Birthday Party, 1916, March or Die, Bastards then finally Sacrifice in 1995. more on this story

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