This morning, the music world is saddened by the loss of former Motörhead guitarist “Fast” Eddie Clarke. Clarke was the last remaining member of the “classic” Motörhead lineup, following the deaths of Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor and Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister in late 2015.

[Photo via Official Motorhead Facebook]

As the band confirmed via an official Facebook post on their Facebook page this morning, “We are devastated to pass on the news we only just heard ourselves earlier tonight…Edward Allan Clarke–or as we all know and love him Fast Eddie Clarke–passed away peacefully yesterday. Ted Carroll (who formed Chiswick Records) made the sad announcement…that Fast Eddie passed peacefully in hospital where he was being treated for pneumonia.” Fast Eddie was 67 years old.

Fast Eddie joined Motörhead  in 1976, soon after the band was founded by Lemmy and Philthy. Fast Eddie’s time in Motorhead produced some of the band’s biggest hits, including “Ace of Spades” and “Bomber”. He left Motorhead in 1982 and later formed the band Fastway.

As fellow former Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell notes in the post, “Just heard the sad news that Fast Eddie Clarke has passed away. Such a shock, he will be remembered for his iconic riffs and was a true rock n’ roller.”

Adds latter-day Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee, “Oh my fucking god, this is terrible news, the last of the three amigos. I saw Eddie not too long ago and he was in great shape. So this is a complete shock. Me and Eddie always hit it off great. I was looking forward to seeing him in the U.K. this summer when we come around with the Scorpions…Now Lem [Lemmy Kilmister] and Philthy [Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor] can jam with Eddie again, and if you listen carefully I’m sure you’ll hear them, so watch out!!! My thoughts go out to Eddie’s family and close ones.”

Watch Eddie’s solo segment and commentary about the iconic “Ace of Spades” riff from the Ace of Spades DVD extras below, via MotörheadBander on YouTube:

Rest in peace, Fast Eddie. Give our regards to Lemmy and Philthy…

[Cover photo via Sky News]