Make My Day: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Story of Fast Eddie Clarke

Fast Eddie Clarke stands as one of the most underrated guitarists in rock and heavy metal. He is best remembered for his pivotal role in Motörhead’s classic lineup from 1976 to 1982, a period widely considered the band’s golden era. Although his tenure with the group lasted only six years, Clarke’s contributions laid the foundation for Motörhead’s iconic sound, which persisted through the band’s long career until the passing of frontman Lemmy Kilmister.

In celebration of Clarke’s legacy, Make My Day: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Story of Fast Eddie Clarke offers a comprehensive tribute to the late guitarist. This career-spanning retrospective includes a four-CD collection of Clarke’s finest work, alongside a 320-page book co-written by veteran rock journalist Kris Needs and Clarke’s widow, Mariko Fujiwara. The book unveils Clarke’s life and career, capturing his influence on the music world and preserving his memory for both longtime fans and those discovering his genius for the first time.

After he departed from Motörhead, Clarke didn’t slow down. He formed Fastway, a band that fused his signature hard rock style with classic rock influences, creating a fresh yet familiar sound that resonated with fans of both old-school and contemporary rock. Clarke’s ability to evolve while staying true to his roots was on full display as he pushed the boundaries of his musical vision.

Fastway became one of my favorite bands that Clarke led, but unfortunately, fans of the time didn’t fully recognize the brilliance of their music. If more appreciation had been shown, I believe the band could have surprised everyone with a remarkable repertoire. Despite their potential, Fastway struggled to gain momentum with personnel changes. Even their fourth album, Trick or Treat, which served as the soundtrack to the movie of the same name, failed to deliver the success they deserved. For some reason, the band just couldn’t break through, despite having the talent and musical depth to go much further.

In the 1980s, the music industry moved at a relentless pace, with albums being churned out rapidly to keep up with the demand. Fastway, eager to capitalize on Fast Eddie Clarke’s Motörhead fame, was quickly swept up in this whirlwind. However, the heavy metal scene was highly competitive, and new bands were constantly emerging, causing Fastway to lose ground on the high-speed track of rock and metal. As grunge stormed onto the scene in the early ’90s, reshaping the musical landscape, Fastway’s momentum came to an abrupt halt, knocking them off course for good. Meanwhile, Motörhead continued to charge forward with relentless determination, refusing to glance back, staying true to their hard-hitting sound without looking in the rearview mirror.

In addition to his success with Fastway, Clarke ventured into solo projects, releasing two albums that highlighted his versatility as a guitarist, songwriter, and performer. These works allowed him to explore new sonic territories, further proving his immense talent and creativity. Whether through his time in Motörhead, his leadership in Fastway, or his solo endeavors, Fast Eddie Clarke’s contributions to rock music remain enduring and profound.

The CD boxset covers Fast Eddie’s recording career of over 40 years including tracks requested by Mariko, starting with The Early Years, which includes Zeus and his subsequent band Continuous Performance, along with three tracks from the legendary Muggers, who Eddie and Philthy ‘Animal’ Taylor played with in 1978 along with ‘Speedy’ Keen and Heartbreakers bassist Billy Rath.

1 -Intro from Eddie
2 -Cloud – Curtis Knight Zeus
3 -The Confession – Curtis Knight Zeus
4 -People, Places, And Things – Curtis Knight Zeus
5 -Takin’ It Easy – Continuous Performance
6 -In the Morning – Continuous Performance
7 -White Lightning – The Muggers
8 -(Just A) Nightmare – The Muggers
9 -Summertime Blues – The Muggers

CD2’s Motorhead highlights Eddie’s most outstanding performances with the ‘classic lineup’ of Lemmy, Philthy ‘Animal’ Taylor, including ‘Ace Of Spades’ and other much-loved rampages, three previously unreleased Bomber album demos and his vocal performances on the Headgirl project with Girlschool and ‘Stone Dead Forever’.

1 -Ace Of Spades – Motörhead
2 -Step Down (Alternate Version) – Motörhead
3 -Lawman (Bomber demo) – Motörhead
4 -Alligator (Bomber demo) – Motörhead
5 -Dead Men Tell No Tales (Bomber demo)
6 -Emergency – Motörhead
7 -Motorhead (Live In England 1981) – Motörhead
8 -Stone Dead Forever (Alternate Version) – Motörhead
9 -Iron Fist – Motörhead
10 -Bomber – Motörhead
11 -The Chase Is Better Than the Catch – Motörhead
12 -The Hammer (40th Anniversary Master) – Motörhead
13 -Overkill – Motörhead

CD3’s Fastway straddles different incarnations of the band Fast Eddie formed with UFO bassist Pete Way after departing from Motorhead in 1982, including demos, remixes and tracks from their eight albums. Along with curios.

1 -All I Need Is Your Love (Pete Way demo) – Fastway
2 -Say What You Will – By Fastway
3 -Feel Me, Touch Me (Pete Way demo) – Fastway
4 -Easy Livin’ (Live from Loudpark 2007) – Fastway
5 -Trick or Treat – Fastway
6 -Heft – Fastway
7 -All Fired Up – Fastway
8 -Change of Heart – Fastway
9 -Deliver Me (Remix) – Fastway
10 -Fade Out (Remix) – Fastway
11 -Leave the Light On (Remix) – Fastway
12 -Lovin’ Fool (Remix) – Fastway
13 -Sick as a Dog (Remix) – Fastway

CD4, The Solo Years mainly draws from Fast Eddie’s two solo albums, It Ain’t Over ‘Till It’s Over and his final work with underrated peak Make My Day: Back To The Blues, created with Shakatak’s Bill Sharpe.

1 -Snakebite (New version)
2 -Laugh at the Devil (New version)
3 -All Over Bar the Shouting
4 -No Satisfaction
5 -Make My Day
6 -Heavy Load
7 -Walking Too Slow
8 -Ethereal Blue
9 -Mountains to the Sea
10 -My New Life
11 -Over and Out
12 -21st Century (Alternate Mix)