Editing Robert Calvert (section)

==Career==
In 1967 he formed the [[street theatre]] group  'Street Dada Nihilismus'.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bailes|first=Kathy|date=2018-05-11|title=Hawkwind and why their Dreamland gig is a homecoming (of sorts)|url=https://theisleofthanetnews.com/2018/05/11/hawkwind-and-why-their-dreamland-gig-is-a-homecoming-of-sorts/|access-date=2021-11-29|website=The Isle Of Thanet News|language=en-GB}}</ref>

At the end of the 1960s, he returned to London and joined the city's flourishing [[psychedelic subculture]]. He soon became one of its most active members; joining, amongst other activities, ''[[Frendz]]'', one of the leading [[underground magazine]]s of the time. During that time he acquainted himself with [[New Wave science fiction]] writers and befriended author [[Michael Moorcock]]. Calvert's poems were published in ''New Worlds'' and other magazines. Although he was influenced by the New Wave, Calvert developed a distinct style of his own. His ability to change fluently between poetry, music and theatre allowed him to develop into a [[multimedia artist]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Banks|first=Joe|date=2021-08-13|title=Robert Calvert: the genius who played with fire|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/robert-calvert-the-genius-who-played-with-fire|access-date=2021-11-29|website=loudersound|language=en}}</ref>

===Hawkwind===
A childhood friend of Hawkwind co-founder [[Nik Turner]], Calvert joined [[Hawkwind]] as a lyricist, performance poet and occasional lead vocalist in 1971.<ref name="LarkinGE"/> Following a two-year absence, he rejoined as the band's principal lead vocalist in 1975 before leaving once again in 1979. Calvert co-wrote Hawkwind's hit single "[[Silver Machine]]", which reached No. 3 in the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name="LarkinGE"/> Although [[Lemmy]] sings on the single version, this is an overdub of a live recording taken at the Roundhouse in London with Calvert on vocals.<ref name="LarkinGE"/> "They tried everyone else singing it except me", Lemmy later said.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Saga of Hawkwind|first= Carol|last= Clerk|year= 2004|publisher= Omnibus Press| isbn=1-84449-101-3}}</ref> Calvert also directed the ''[[Space Ritual]]'' tour,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/robert-calvert-the-genius-who-played-with-fire | title=Robert Calvert: The genius who played with fire | date=13 August 2021 }}</ref> which is widely perceived as the band's artistic zenith.

During periods away from Hawkwind duties, Calvert worked on his solo career; his solo creative output included albums, stage plays, poetry, and a novel. His first solo album, ''[[Captain Lockheed and the Starfighters]]'', was released in 1974.<ref name="LarkinGE"/> The record is a concept album, an amalgam of music and theatre focused around the [[Lockheed bribery scandals]]. In 1975, he won the [[Capital Radio]] poetry competition with his poem "Circle Line". In 1975, musician and producer [[Brian Eno]] produced and played on Calvert's second solo album, ''[[Lucky Leif and the Longships]]'',<ref name="LarkinGE"/> a [[concept album]] which looked at the history of the US and the [[Norse colonization of the Americas|Vikings, who crossed the Atlantic to reach America before Columbus]]. In 1977, Hawkwind performed "[[Quark, Strangeness and Charm]]" on [[Marc Bolan]]'s TV series, ''[[Marc (TV series)|Marc]]''.

As well as Michael Moorcock and Brian Eno, Calvert's collaborators included [[Arthur Brown (musician)|Arthur Brown]], [[Steve Peregrin Took]], [[Jim Capaldi]], [[Steve Pond]], [[Inner City Unit]], [[Vivian Stanshall]], [[Nektar]], [[John Greaves (musician)|John Greaves]], Adrian Wagner, [[Amon Düül II]] and, posthumously, [[Spirits Burning]], [[Dave Brock]], and Krankschaft.

Calvert suffered from [[bipolar disorder]], which often caused a fractious relationship with his fellow musicians. At one point he was [[sectioned]] under the [[Mental Health Act]].<ref name=":0" />