Former Hawkwind synth pioneer Michael ‘DikMik’ Davies has died

Michael ‘DikMik’ Davies, far right
Michael \u2018DikMik\u2019 Davies, far right

Hawkwind have confirmed that their former synth player and keyboardist Michael ‘DikMik’ Davies has died.

Davies was brought into the band by his friend and band leader Dave Brock shortly after Hawkwind’s formation in 1969.

He played on the band’s self-titled 1970 album and also appeared on 1971’s In Search Of Space and 1972’s Doremi Fasol Latido before leaving in 1973.

Hawkwind issued a statement which reads: “We are very sad to let you know that our old friend and band mate DikMik, Michael Davies, passed away early this morning.

“He will be loved and remembered for his innovative contributions not only to Hawkwind, but to a whole musical genre of which he was an important pioneer.”

Brock has also offered his own tribute, saying: “I remember when DikMik joined the band – he bought himself an audio generator from Tottenham Court Road, got himself a Watkins Copycat echo unit, a fold up card table – complete with green baize – and became one of the innovators of electronic music.

“It was on DikMik’s suggestion, and later persistence, that we got Lemmy to join the band and you know the rest!

“Goodbye old chap your legend lives on.”

Hawkwind: This Is Your Captain Speaking... 1970-1974

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.