Würzel

Michael Burston (23 October 1949 – 9 July 2011) commonly known by the stage name Würzel, was an English musician and formerly a guitarist in the British heavy metal band Motörhead. Prior to joining Motörhead, Burston had been a Corporal in the British Army, serving in Germany and Northern Ireland with the 1st Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment, and had played in the bands Bastard and Warfare.

Burston joined Motörhead as one of its two lead guitarists (the other being Phil Campbell) in 1984 and began using the name "Würzel". Burston remained a member of Motörhead until 1995, when he left the band (thus leaving the band as a trio) to pursue a solo career. As a soloist, Burston released several albums and extended plays, still recording as Würzel, and would eventually front his own band, Leader of Down. Burston made a guest appearance with Motörhead at the 2008 Download Festival, and briefly returned to the band during their tour of the United Kingdom in 2008. He also made a guest appearance with them at the 2009 Guilfest.

In 2011, while recording new material with Leader of Down, Burston suddenly passed away, at age 61. The cause of death was later revealed to be ventricular fibrillation triggered by cardiomyopathy. Both Motörhead and Foo Fighters would play tributes to him not long after his death.