Headgirl: The story of how Motörhead and Girlschool first crossed paths
Girlschool’s independently recorded single ‘Take It All Away’ reached Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister, who invited the little-known band to support Motörhead on tour in 1979. Their meeting began an unexpected friendship that later led to the joint project Headgirl and the 1981 EP *St Valentine’s Day Massacre*.
Girlschool grew out of Painted Lady, formed in 1975 by school friends Kim McAuliffe and Dinah Williams in south London. After rebuilding the lineup, they adopted the name Girlschool in 1978, toured widely and released their first single that December. Motörhead were gaining recognition after years of struggle, with their 1979 album *Overkill* reaching the UK Top 40; Lemmy and manager Douglas Smith offered Girlschool a support slot on the 18-date *Overkill* tour.
In short
- Lemmy heard Girlschool’s self-released single and invited them on tour.
- The bands’ 1979 tour began a lasting friendship.
- Headgirl released a collaborative EP in February 1981.
Explained simply
Girlschool began in south London as Painted Lady, a band formed in 1975 by school friends Kim McAuliffe and Dinah Williams. They changed their name to Girlschool in 1978 and started releasing records as they built a following.
Motörhead were a hard-rock band led by singer and bassist Lemmy Kilmister. After years of struggle, they were gaining wider attention in 1979, helped by their album Overkill.
The bands’ meeting brought together an established touring act and a newer group looking for an audience. Their connection later led to Headgirl, a joint project that linked the two bands.