HW: More Nik

[Nick Medford]

Uncle Nik's copped some flak here lately: like most everyone else I wish he
wouldn't use the Hawkwind name, and while I haven't heard his recent
albums it seems he's repeatedly recycling the same (mostly HW) material.

However the fact remains that he had a massive role in Hawkwind: he was
there from the start, he had a lot to do with the identity of the band from
its earliest days. He was largely responsible for getting Bob Calvert involved,
and he wrote or co-wrote some classic material. (Brainstorm, Master of the
Universe, Shouldn't Do That, D-Rider).

Personally I like a punky edge, and ICU were one of the coolest bands on
the block in the early 80s. Hawkwind have always been an underground,
anti-establishment type band, and punk was, at least in part,  where the
rebel-music scene was at in those days. Calvert understood this too, and a
dash of punkishness helped keep HW afloat in the late 70s and early 80s
IMHO.

Nik was also very involved in the Stonehenge festivals which did so much
to define the spirit and ethos of Hawkwind.

I agree he seems slapdash at times (definitely at Hawkestra) and I'm sure he's
not the easiest guy to work with. And Jez Huggett is a better sax player.
And Dave is the undisputed captain of the ship and we all love and revere
him for it. But Nik Turner is Nik Turner, and that counts for something at
least.
--
Nick Medford