Motörhead have released an official statement, following the shocking news of legendary frontman Lemmy Kilmister’s death.
The band have revealed that the rock n’ roll icon died of an aggressive form of cancer, after being diagnosed on Boxing Day.
Their statement reads:
There is no easy way to say this…our mighty, noble friend Lemmy passed away today after a short battle with an extremely aggressive cancer. He had learnt of the disease on December 26th, and was at home, sitting in front of his favorite video game from The Rainbow which had recently made it’s way down the street, with his family.
We cannot begin to express our shock and sadness, there aren’t words.
We will say more in the coming days, but for now, please…play Motörhead loud, play Hawkwind loud, play Lemmy’s music LOUD.
Have a drink or few.
Share stories.
Celebrate the LIFE this lovely, wonderful man celebrated so vibrantly himself.
HE WOULD WANT EXACTLY THAT.
Ian ‘Lemmy’ Kilmister
1945 -2015
Born to lose, lived to win.
Tributes have also started to pour in from across the music world, as all those whose lives were touched by the iconic Jack Daniels-swilling career badass share their memories, from Pantera/Down’s Phil Anselmo to Evanescence’s Amy Lee, from DZ Deathrays to Metallica.
Check some of them out below.
RIP Lemmy, a true rock n’ roll immortal.
You know I’m born to lose, and gambling’s for fools…
UPDATE 30/12/15: Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee says the band “is over” following Kilmister’s death.
Gallery: 13 Photos Of Lemmy Kilmister At His Most Badass
There is no easy way to say this…our mighty, noble friend Lemmy passed away today after a short battle with an extremely... Posted by Official Motörhead on Monday, December 28, 2015
LEGEND REST IN POWER!!!!!!!!! I am gutted! Listening to Motörhead for the next few days... NO… https://t.co/lCwZS3gkIN Posted by Jesse Leach on Monday, December 28, 2015
RIP Lemmy. Posted by Philip Anselmo on Monday, December 28, 2015
There's nothing we could write here that can live up to the mighty life you lived. You are Rock N Roll. Warrior Always. Much love - RIP Lemmy Posted by Spiderbait on Monday, December 28, 2015
You were so kind to me, supportive and encouraging and naturally, brutally honest. Thanks, Lemmy. You are a legend and I'll miss you! Posted by Amy Lee on Monday, December 28, 2015
RIP Limmy Kilmister. The world lost a rock and roll legend. We will miss him. Posted by Zebrahead on Monday, December 28, 2015
RIP LEGEND.THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC.FROM ALL OF US.Official MotörheadLemmy Kilmister Motö... Posted by Disturbed on Monday, December 28, 2015
Lemmy, RIP - so sorry you're gone. I stand with the countless souls who will miss you, and who love you very much. - Bill Posted by Bill Ward on Monday, December 28, 2015
Thanks for the music, the inspiration and the guitar pick. @officialmotorhead #riplemmy Posted by DZ Deathrays on Monday, December 28, 2015
Lemmy, you are one of the primary reasons this band exists. We are forever grateful for all of your inspiration. Rest In Peace.Endless Love & Respect, Metallica Posted by Metallica on Monday, December 28, 2015
R.I.P. To our fearless leader. Love and Light - Posted by Ugly Kid Joe on Monday, December 28, 2015
Today, we were caught by surprise with the death of the incomparable Lemmy Kilmister. Dancing On Your Grave was the song... Posted by Sepultura on Monday, December 28, 2015
The ultimate rockstar. The ultimate party. You are and will forever be missed Lemmy. #fuckcancer
Posted by Steel Panther on Monday, December 28, 2015
13 Photos That Show Lemmy Kilmister At His Most Badass
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1. Lemmy Chills With Dimebag Darrell
Nothing warms our hearts more than this photo of The Kilmister in his prime, hanging out with a fellow rock legend at a charity benefit. Bet he’s up there drinking black tooth grins with Dime now. -
2. Lemmy Wears Short-Shorts, Holding A Katana, While Smoking A Cigarette
Your argument is invalid. -
3. Lemmy Launches Official Sex Toy Range
And brings new meaning to the name “Motörhead” -
4. Lemmy Shows Us His Sensitive Side
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5. Lemmy Does Double Denim
Seriously, not even Sean Connery circa Zardoz could pull off this look. -
6. Lemmy Stars In <em>The Loudest Silent Movie On Earth</em>
Proving a badass to the very end, Lemmy is one of the top-billed stars to feature in the upcoming silent film Gutterdämmerung. Speaking in the 2016 flick’s batshit crazy trailer, Lemmy says: “If you don’t like it, you can fuck off”. -
7. Lemmy Hangs With His BFF
Two worlds collided when the Prince Of Darkness met the King of Jack and speed metal some 38 years ago, and the pair have been close mates ever since. Lemmy even co-wrote four songs on Ozzy Osbourne’s 1991 album No More Tears (which may or may not explain how he got this bandaged wrist) -
8. Lemmy Gets In Touch With His Animal Instincts
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9. Lemmy Meets Some Of His Biggest Fans
“Lemmy, you are one of the primary reasons this band exists. We are forever grateful for all of your inspiration” – Metallica. -
10. Lemmy Dresses As The Pope
“God bless you, my child. Even though you’re an asshole.” -
11. Lemmy Is A Bad Influence On The Nicest Guy In Rock
“We recorded his track in Los Angeles in maybe two takes about a year and a half ago. Until then I’d never met what I’d call a real rock ‘n’ roll hero before. Fuck Elvis and Keith Richards, Lemmy’s the king of rock ‘n’ roll – he told me he never considered Motörhead a metal band, he was quite adamant. Lemmy’s a living, breathing, drinking and snorting fucking legend. No one else comes close.” – Dave Grohl -
12. Lemmy Is A ‘Sex Legend’
In a 2005 doco called Motörhead: Live Fast, Die Old, it was claimed that Lemmy had “bedded” in excess of 2,000 women. Lemmy himself later offered some clarification: “I said more than a thousand, the magazine made two thousand of it.” Right then. -
13. Lemmy Continues To Give Zero Fucks
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13. Lemmy Is God
Lemmy’s close friend Eddie Trunk of That Metal Show fame posted the following picture to Twitter after breaking the news of his death, claiming it was sent to him by none other than Rob Halford of Judas Priest
