Was Hawkwind the first “space rock” band? Twink, part-time drummer for both the Pink Fairies and Hawkwind, says it was the Pink Fairies. In any case, both bands blazed the space-rock trail. The Round House, a disused railway station in North London was the birthplace of space rock, and Hawkwind played at many huge “happenings” there. This book follows the band’s many member changes, ongoing live shows, influence on a flood of space bands (including Syd Barrett’s Pink Floyd with “Instellar Overdrive”) and discusses questions about atmosphere, lyrics and what qualifies as space rock. Other bands and their influences on space rock and ambient music are mentioned as well: Amon Düül, Gong, Can, Neu!, Kraftwerk, Roxy Music, Eno, Legendary Pink Dots, to name but a few. The book ends up with a discussion of current space projects such as new Hawkwind/Nik Turner solo projects and Steve Hillage from Gong, and his involvement with The Orb. Includes a huge discography. DW

Publisher: Cleopatra
Paperback: 147 pages
Illustrated