Würzel
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- For other uses, see Wurzel (disambiguation).
Michael Burston (born October 23, 1949), commonly known by the stage name Würzel, is an English musician. Formerly a guitarist in the heavy metal band Motörhead, Würzel is currently a figure in British ambient music.
Burston was born in Cheltenham, England. Before joining Motörhead in 1984, Burston had been a corporal in the army and had played in the bands Bastard and Warfare. Joining another relatively unknown guitarist, Phil Campbell, they played so well together at the rehearsal they were invited, both were taken on. The new, four-piece line-up made its debut recording a backing track for The Young Ones on February 14, 1984. He acquired the nickname Würzel due his scarecrow-style hair and bumpkin-like manner. Lemmy demanded that Würzel add an umlaut to the 'U' in his name, for important dramatic heavy metal effect. Burston saw a number of interesting changes to the line up in the band until he left in 1995. In 1998, quasi-inspired by psychedelically-informed experiences in Ghent, Belgium, Würzel recorded and released an ambient, improvised avant-garde album entitled Chill Out Or Die, which received rave reviews from publications such as The Wire, The Daily Mail and Metal Hammer. Heavily inspired by Mike Oldfield and Dr. Timothy Leary, Würzel kept his vow to follow up said recording with a companion piece entitled Trippin' Me Nuts Off - Live and Wankered in Leuven. He owns three synthesisers, two of which he is able to play simultaneously.
Still seen on the heavy metal scene, Würzel played at the June 2003 Garden of England Bike show with the supporting band. Headliners at the show, Saxon, urged him to play "Ace of Spades". As unassuming as ever, Burston gave a blistering performance of the classic 'Head track, which left everybody convinced of Würzel's still-intact powers of rock, and general abilities, were another band to ask him to join them.
[edit] Discography
- Würzel's discography with Motörhead is here (line-up #s 6 through 10)
- Warfare - Metal Anarchy - 1985
- Fairport Convention - "Quazi-Be-Goode / Where Would You Rather Be Tonight?" 7" single - August 1986
- V.A. - "Where Would You Rather Be Tonight?" - October 1986 (All proceeds from this album went to Broadreach House, a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts and alcoholics)
- Würzel - Bess - 1987
- Atomgods - WOW! - 1988
- Würzel - The Very Best of Würzel - 1990
- Warhead - Warhead - 1995
- Disgust - A World Of No Beauty - 1996
- WVKEAF - "Jump/Maximism" - September 30, 1997
- WVKEAF - "Jump" - 1997
- Würzel - Chill Out Or Die (The Ambient Album) - 1998
- Splodgenessabounds - "Artful Splodger" - 2001
- Würzel - Trippin' Me Nuts Off - Live and Wankered in Leuven - 2006
| Motörhead |
| Members |
|---|
| Lemmy Kilmister - Phil Campbell - Mikkey Dee |
| Former members: Larry Wallis - "Fast" Eddie Clarke - Brian "Robbo" Robertson - Michael "Würzel" Burston |
| Lucas Fox - Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor - Pete Gill - Tommy Aldridge |
| Discography |
|
Albums: On Parole - Motörhead - Overkill - Bomber - Ace of Spades - No Sleep 'til Hammersmith - Iron Fist - Another Perfect Day - No Remorse - Orgasmatron - Rock 'n' Roll - No Sleep at All - 1916 - March ör Die - Bastards - Sacrifice - Overnight Sensation - Snake Bite Love - Everything Louder Than Everyone Else - We Are Motörhead - The Best Of - Hammered - Live at Brixton Academy - Inferno - BBC Live & In-Session - Kiss of Death |
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