Motorhead Guitarist 'Fast' Eddie Clarke Dead at 67

Motorhead guitarist Eddie Clarke
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Motorhead guitarist Edward Allen Clarke has died.

Motorhead guitarist Edward Allen Clarke has died.

The rock band announced the news on Wednesday on their official Facebook page, sharing that Clarke -- who was known as "Fast" Eddie Clarke -- died in the hospital, where he was being treated for pneumonia. He was 67 years old.

"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," the post reads. "Ted Carroll (who formed Chiswick Records) made the sad announcement via his FB page, having heard from Doug Smith that Fast Eddie passed peacefully in hospital where he was being treated for pneumonia..."

Clarke was the last surviving member of the group’s original lineup. Lead vocalist Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister died in December 2015, and drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor died in November 2015.

Motorhead drummer Mikkey Dee said he was "shocked" by the news.

"Oh my f**king God, this is terrible news. The last of the three amigos," he said in a statement posted on the Facebook post. "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 UK this summer when we come around with The Scorps. ... My thoughts go out to Eddie's family and close ones."

"Fast Eddie...keep roaring, rockin' and rollin' up there as goddamit man, your Motörfamily would expect nothing less!!!" he concluded. 

Fellow Motorhead guitarist Phil Campbell also reacted to Clarke's death.

“Such a shock, he will be remembered for his iconic riffs and was a true rock and roller," he said. "RIP Eddie.”

The English heavy metal band has released 22 studio albums over a career spanning 40 years. In 2005, they won a GRAMMY for Best Metal Performance for "Whiplash." Motorhead is perhaps best known for its 1980 song, “Ace of Spades,” which was featured on the popular video game Guitar Hero.

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