The band was formed in 1969 by visionary Dave Brock and although it has been subject to numerous line-up changes it is still led by him. The early line-up featured Dave Brock on vocals and rhythm guitar, Huw Lloyd-Langton on lead guitar, Terry Ollis on drums, Thomas Crimble on bass, Nik Turner on Saxophone and Dik Mik on synthesizer.
The band became established as a space-rock underground band with their renowned concert at the Glastonbury Rock Festival 1970 when they set up in an alternative field and played a free concert, pulling crowds away from the main event. Their debut album, the self titled ‘HAWKWIND’, was released by EMI and to this day still sells steadily. In 1970 they appeared at the Isle of Wight Festival where Jimi Hendrix was spotted in the audience. He was asked to get up and join the band and he replied ‘No I don’t want to spoil it!’ Huw Lloyd-Langton remained with them until late 1971. The band shot to fame in 1972 with their hit record ‘Silver Machine’ featuring Lemmy (now of Motörhead fame) on vocals. (This record featured in the soundtrack of a recent TV Mazda advert in the UK). In 1973 Simon House (Electric Violin) joined, and throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s, the renowned World famous Sci-fi author, Michael Moorcock often recorded and appeared with them.
Lemmy was sacked from the band in 1975 after a drugs bust in USA, and went on to form ‘MOTORHEAD’, named after the last track he wrote for the band, a slang term for speed freak. Huw Lloyd-Langton joined Leo Sayer in 1974 and then in 1975 went on to form supergroup ‘WIDOWMAKER’ WITH Steve Ellis (Love Affair), Luther Grosvenor (Mott The Hoople), Paul Nicholls (Lindisfarne) and Bob Daisley (Ozzy Osborne). In 1977, Simon House joined David Bowie. Dave Brock and poet Bob Calvert tour as ‘HAWKLORDS’, performing the stage show ‘METROPOLIS’. Throughout the 70's, Hawkwind released a series of classic albums; ‘IN SEARCH OF SPACE’, ‘DOREMI FASOL LATIDO’, ‘SPACE RITUAL’,
‘HALL OF THE MOUNTAIN GRILL’, ‘WARRIOR ON THE EDGE OF TIME’, ‘ASTOUNDING SOUNDS, AMAZING MUSIC’, ‘QUARK STRANGENESS & CHARM’ and ‘PXR 5’. In 1979, Dave formed another nucleus with Huw Lloyd-Langton on lead guitar, Simon King on drums, Harvey Bainbridge (from Hawklords) on bass and Tim Blake from ‘Gong’ on keyboards.
Their live album ‘LIVE 79’ went straight into the national top ten charts chart. In 1980 Ginger Baker replaced Simon King on drums and they recorded their classic album ‘LEVITATION’. Once again, the release went straight into national top ten album chart. Tim Blake and Ginger Baker remaied with the band until after the Christmas Tour 1980. From 1979 to 1985 the band’s singles and albums were never out of the national, independent and heavy metal charts, with albums such as ‘SONIC ATTACK, ‘CHURCH OF HAWKWIND', 'CHRONICLE OF THE BLACK SWORD, 'LIVE CHRONICLES' AND 'XENON CODEX'. Nik Turner who left the band in 1975 briefly rejoined the band 1982-1983 for the ‘CHOOSE YOUR MASQUES’ tour. In 1984 Alan Davey replaces Harvey Bainbridge on bass and Harvey moved over to keyboards and synths. In 1985 the band tour with the spectacular ‘CHRONICLES OF THE BLACK SWORD’, a stageshow portraying music and images based on Michael Moorcock’s epic saga, ‘ELRIC’. During this period the band reached a new audience with the emergence of ambient acts such as The Orb openly acknowledging Hawkwind’s influence.
Huw Lloyd-Langton remained with the band throughout the end of the 80s, departing in 1989 followed
shortly after by Harvey Bainbridge. The band continued to perform live throughout the nineties, and had
some noteable album releases such as, 'SPACE BANDITS', 'PALACE SPRINGS', 'ELECTRIC TEPEE',
'IT IS THE BUSINESS OF THE FUTURE TO BE DANGEROUS', 'THE BUSINESS TRIP', 'ALIEN 4',
'LOVE IN SPACE' and 'DISTANT HORIZONS'. During their entire existence the band have performed numerous free concerts, notably STONEHENGE and have supported various charities, which include SHELTER, when in 1977 at the Blackheath Concert Halls they raised thousands of pounds for the homeless, and even released a charity single version of the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter" with Samantha Fox guesting on vocals. N.A.S.A. in the USA have also used sound tracks from the ‘LOVE IN SPACE release. In 1997 they headlined the ‘1ST SPACEROCK FESTIVAL USA’. In 2000, the band staged the highly successful ‘HAWKESTRA’ event at the London Brixton Academy, which saw many past members reunited on stage with a nucleus of Dave Brock, Ron Tree, Jerry Richards, Hugh Lloyd-Langton, Simon House, Richard Chadwick, Alan Davey and Tim Blake. In 2001 they were voted the 8th top progressive band in the country on Channel 4 TV. The band have recently released a double live cd recording of their Xmas 2000 'Yule Ritual' show at the London Astoria, as well as the Arthur Brown helmed 'Out of the Shadows' in 2007.The concept of a Hawkestra, a reunion event featuring appearances from all past and present members, had originally been intended to coincide with the band's 30th anniversary and the release of the career spanning Epocheclipse – 30 Year Anthology set, but logistical problems delayed it until 21 October 2000. It took place at the Brixton Academy with about 20 members taking part in a 3+ hour set which was filmed and recorded. Guests included Samantha Fox who sang Master of the Universe. However, arguments and disputes over financial recompense and musical input resulted in the prospect of the event being restaged unlikely, and any album or DVD release being indefinitely shelved.The Hawkestra had set a template for Brock to assemble a core band of Tree, Brock, Richards, Davey, Chadwick and for the use of former members as guests on live shows and studio recordings. The 2000 Christmas Astoria show was recorded with contributions from House, Blake, Rizz, Moorcock, Jez Huggett and Keith Kniveton and released as Yule Ritual the following year.
In 2001, Davey agreed to rejoin the band permanently, but only afiter the departure of Tree and Richards.
Meanwhile, having rekindled relationships with old friends at the Hawkestra, Turner organised further Hawkestra gigs resulting in the formation of xhawkwind.com, a band consisting mainly of ex-Hawkwind members and playing old Hawkwind songs. An appearance at Guilfest in 2002 led to confusion as to whether this actually was Hawkwind, sufficiently irking Brock into taking legal action to prohibit Turner from trading under the name Hawkwind. Turner lost the case and the band now perform as Space Ritual.
An appearance at the Canterbury Sound Festival in August 2001, resulting in another live album Canterbury Fayre 2001, saw guest appearances from Lloyd-Langton, House, Kniveton with Arthur Brown on "Silver Machine". The band organised the first of their own weekend festivals, named Hawkfest, in Devon in the summer of 2002. Brown joined the band in 2002 for a Winter tour which featured some Kingdom Come songs and saw appearances from Blake and Lloyd-Langton, the Newcastle show being released on DVD as Out of the Shadows and the London show on CD as Spaced Out in London.
In 2005 the long anticipated new album Take Me to Your Leader was released. Recorded by the core band of Brock/Davey/Chadwick, contributors included new keyboardist Jason Stuart, Arthur Brown, tabloid writer and TV personality Matthew Wright, 1970s New Wave singer Lene Lovich, Simon House and Jez Huggett. This was followed in 2006 by the CD/DVD disc Take Me to Your Future.
The band were the subject of an hour-long television documentary entitled Hawkwind: Do Not Panic that aired on BBC Four as part of the Originals series. It was broadcast on 30 March 2007 and repeated on 10 August 2007. Although Brock participated in its making he did not appear in the programme, it is alleged that he requested all footage of himself be removed after he was denied any artistic control over the documentary.. In one of the documentary's opening narratives regarding Brock, it is stated that he declined to be interviewed for the programme because of Nik Turner's involvement, indicating that the two men have still not been reconciled over the xhawkwind.com incident.
June 2007 saw the departure of Alan Davey, who left to perform and record with two new bands: Gunslinger and Thunor. He was replaced by "Mr Dibs", a long-standing member of the road crew and bassist for the bands Spacehead and Krel (who had supported Hawkwind during 1992). The band performed at their annual Hawkfest festival and headlined the US festival NEARfest and played gigs in PA and NY. At the end of 2007, Tim Blake once again joined the band filling the lead role playing keyboards and theremin. The band played 5 Christmas dates, the London show being released as an audio CD and video DVD under the title Knights of Space.
The band's official Website is to be found at www.hawkwind.com
HAWKWIND and solo projects: Dave Brock, Nik Turner, Inner City Unit, Lemmy, Motorhead, Huw Lloyd Langton Group, Robert Calvert, Alan Davey, Bedouin, Michael Moorcock Deep Fix, Harvey Bainbridge, Agents Of Chaos ,Space Ritual, Spiral Realms,ect.A truly prolific act !
Kadu Flyer
Hawkwind Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to get high, I want to see
I want to fly, I want to be free
I take the trail from Katmandu
With a different kind of trip in view
Everest is behind the town
Mountain High-bound to get higher
My glider, I'm the Kadu Flyer
And I will rise to win it
Never fly through a cloud
If there's a mountain in it
My route is by the steep ascent
Do battle with the elements
???? ????? peril ???? freezing winds
Downdraft dangers want to drag me down
My straining ailerons the only sound
I'm carried by the keening wind, with the dandelions glide
Everest, I'll never rest
I'll see you a mogul when I'm high
Crawl the thermal up a mountain
Like the Pteradacyl's wings
Waves of lift and wing vibrations
Help me to invoke the sun
True me up in soaring fun
Rising like the phoenix
In full flight from the fire
A dragon wing of string and sticks
Gliding higher and higher and higher
The lyrics of Hawkwind's Kadu Flyer convey a yearning for new experiences and transcending limitations. The singer desires to try and be themselves, get high and free, and fly. They then describe embarking on a journey from Katmandu, with the intention of gliding through mountains, aiming to rise higher and higher. The pursuit of this goal is not without risks, as the singer warns against flying through clouds with mountains in them, describing perilous winds that threaten to drag him down. Despite these dangers, the singer is undeterred and explores his surroundings, immersing themselves in the experience of climbing mountains and wingsuit flying.
Throughout the song, the themes of seeking adventure, freedom, and pushing oneself beyond perceived limits are prevalent. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of soaring through the sky, battling the elements and feeling the rush of freedom that comes from taking risks and experiencing new things. There is also a sense of respect for the power and grandeur of nature, with references to mountains and the sun, invoking a spiritual sense of awe and wonder.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to try, I want to be me
I have a strong desire to experiment and be myself, to not conform to societal expectations.
I want to get high, I want to see
I want to experience an altered state of consciousness and witness new, exciting things.
I want to fly, I want to be free
I desire to soar high and be unconstrained, without any restrictions or limitations.
I take the trail from Katmandu
I am starting my journey from the city of Kathmandu, possibly for its cultural significance or location.
With a different kind of trip in view
I have an unconventional or unique goal in mind for my journey.
Everest is behind the town
The famous Mount Everest is in the background, providing a sense of grandeur and adventure to the journey.
Mountain High-bound to get higher
I am traveling towards the mountains to reach new heights, both literally and metaphorically.
My glider, I'm the Kadu Flyer
I am piloting a glider and have given myself the nickname of Kadu Flyer.
Cygnus of the skies, the prize
The constellation Cygnus, representing a swan or bird of flight, is something desirable to me or a metaphor for my journey.
And I will rise to win it
I am determined to achieve my goal, even if it requires overcoming obstacles and challenges.
Never fly through a cloud
It is dangerous to fly blindly through a cloud, especially if there is a mountain in the way.
If there's a mountain in it
If a cloud obscures a mountain, it is important to avoid it and find a clear path.
My route is by the steep ascent
I am taking a challenging and difficult path to reach my destination.
Do battle with the elements
I am facing and confronting the natural elements, possibly to prove my strength or courage.
???? ????? peril ???? freezing winds
The winds are dangerous and frigid, adding to the risk of the journey.
Downdraft dangers want to drag me down
Sudden downward gusts of wind could cause my glider to plummet or crash.
My straining ailerons the only sound
The only noise is the sound of my glider's flaps or control surfaces as I try to stay on course.
I'm carried by the keening wind, with the dandelions glide
I am soaring smoothly with the wind, feeling carefree and whimsical like the flight of a dandelion.
Everest, I'll never rest
I am motivated to keep going until I achieve my goal, which is the impressive Mount Everest.
I'll see you a mogul when I'm high
I will view the peak of the mountain as a significant accomplishment when I reach it.
Crawl the thermal up a mountain
I am using air currents to gain altitude, allowing me to climb the mountain with my glider.
Like the Pteradacyl's wings
My wings are similar to that of a pterodactyl, a prehistoric bird that also soared through the skies.
Waves of lift and wing vibrations
The air currents are providing waves of upward motion, paired with the gentle vibrations of my glider's wings.
Help me to invoke the sun
The rising sun represents a new day and new opportunities for me, as I am inspired by its warmth and light.
True me up in soaring fun
Flying provides me a kind of joy and excitement that cannot be found elsewhere, allowing me to truly enjoy life.
Rising like the phoenix
Similar to the mythical bird, I am rising and becoming stronger from my journey and experiences.
In full flight from the fire
I am in the midst of my own kind of challenge or crisis, and am emerging stronger and more capable because of it.
A dragon wing of string and sticks
My glider is made of materials that may seem flimsy or insubstantial, but allow for an efficient and exciting flight.
Gliding higher and higher and higher
I continue to soar higher and higher, reaching new heights and having an exhilarating experience.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JAMES MANDELKAU, SIMON HOUSE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Stephen McDonald
A classic. Thanks for posting! Here are the correct lyrics (at least as I hear them):
I want to try, I want to be me
I want to get high, I want to see
I want to fly, I want to be free
I hit the trail from Kathmandu
With a different kind of trip in view
Everest is behind the town
Mountain high, bound to get higher
My glider high, the Kadu Flyer
Cygnus of the skies, the prize
And I will rise to win it
Never fly through a cloud
If there's a mountain in it
My route is by the steep ascent
Do battle with the elements
Peaks of peril, yes freezing winds
Downdraft dangers want to drag me down
My straining ailerons the only sound
And carried by the keening wind with the dandelions glide
Everest, I'll never rest
I'll see you a molehill when I'm high
I want to try, I want to be me
I want to get high, I want to see
I want to fly, I want to be free
Crawl the thermal up a mountain
Like the pterodactyl's wings
Waves of lift and wind vibrations
Help me to invoke the sun
True me up in soaring fun
Rising like the phoenix
In full flight from the fire
A dragon wing of string and sticks
Gliding higher and higher and higher
Paul Wilkins mixed media artist
Amazing track and astounding sounds
Stephen McDonald
A classic. Thanks for posting! Here are the correct lyrics (at least as I hear them):
I want to try, I want to be me
I want to get high, I want to see
I want to fly, I want to be free
I hit the trail from Kathmandu
With a different kind of trip in view
Everest is behind the town
Mountain high, bound to get higher
My glider high, the Kadu Flyer
Cygnus of the skies, the prize
And I will rise to win it
Never fly through a cloud
If there's a mountain in it
My route is by the steep ascent
Do battle with the elements
Peaks of peril, yes freezing winds
Downdraft dangers want to drag me down
My straining ailerons the only sound
And carried by the keening wind with the dandelions glide
Everest, I'll never rest
I'll see you a molehill when I'm high
I want to try, I want to be me
I want to get high, I want to see
I want to fly, I want to be free
Crawl the thermal up a mountain
Like the pterodactyl's wings
Waves of lift and wind vibrations
Help me to invoke the sun
True me up in soaring fun
Rising like the phoenix
In full flight from the fire
A dragon wing of string and sticks
Gliding higher and higher and higher
Pascoe Brock
Nice track a great mix x
Derveregun
WONDERFUL song,I think never been updated the studio version ou You Tube
quarkwrok
Written by Calvert/House/Mandelkau Mandelkau is Turner under an alias and Kadu is short for Katmandu.
Enzoo Stektelj
over the top great!
Dirk Chucklebutty
@quarkwrok Not quite right my friend, it was written by Nik Turner and Jamie Mandelkau was a friend of his, who he co-credited on this track, but you are right that Kadu is short for Katmandu.
HeidiLandRover
Written by Nik Turner. Thumbs-up matey.
Starry&Bohemian
shit... this album is way better than the previous one... i can't understand people who say that this album is a deception... they really have the cream of shit in their ears... no less... sorry for my dirty vocabulary
Jesse Waters-Wolfe
The Ewok at the end killed me