You know you’ve made it as a musician and an alcoholic when the alcohol you drink is as well known as the guitar you play. Kerry King is the Jager guy. Black Tooth Grins (Seagram 7, Crown Royal and Coke) are done multiple times a weekend by metalheads everywhere to celebrate the legacy of Pantera’s Dimebag Darrell, and former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony and Lemmy have Jack Daniels. Or do they? According to an article in the Guardian, Lemmy is a screwdriver guy now, making the switch from Jack and Coke to vodka and OJ.
He has changed his lifestyle – he’s down to a pack of fags a week, and has swapped from Jack and Coke to vodka and orange, apparently to help with his diabetes, – though his assistant wonders whether swapping from one 40% spirit topped with sugar to another 40% spirit topped with sugar is really going to help. “I like orange juice better,” he says. “So, Coca-Cola can fuck off.” A full bottle of Absolut is put in front of him for the interview, and a full bottle of Jack Daniels is given to me – which seems a bit optimistic, given Lemmy sets an interview limit of 25 minutes, which he will extend by five minutes if he likes the questions (we get up to 33 minutes).
A few thoughts here: First off, when can we interview Lemmy? Most of the times we’re barely given the time of day, let along a bottle of Jack. Secondly, this isn’t the first time he’s switched from Jack. Last year, his manager said he’d switched to wine, but apparently, he needed something a little stronger. And lastly, a guy that collects Nazi memorabilia’s favorite drink is a screwdriver? That’s pretty ironic. Apparently, he’s walking with a cane these days, but claims in the interview “apparently, I am sill indestructible.” Here’s hoping, Lemmy.
Motorhead’s Bad Magic will be released on August 28 on UDR. It can be preordered here.
