We thought he’d outlive us all.
Rock legend Lemmy Kilmister, frontman of Motörhead and career badass, has died at the age of 70.
News of his death was first reported via Twitter by radio and TV host Eddie Trunk of That Metal Show, who was a longtime friend of Lemmy’s.
Sorry to report that I have confirmed Lemmy @myMotorhead has passed away just now at the age of 70. RIP to a true original icon of rock.
— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) December 29, 2015
Lemmy’s cause of death has not yet been confirmed, however the frontman had been battling a series of well-publicised health issues in recent times, including hematoma.
Lemmy had to walk offstage three songs deep into a set in Texas back in September, after experiencing difficulty breathing. The band then cancelled several shows to allow the singer time to rest and recuperate.
At the time, Lemmy told Kerrang! “I’ve had to really cut back on smoking and drinking and whatever. But it is what it is. I’ve had a good life, a good run. I do what I do still. I’m sure I’ll die on the road, one way or another.”
His death follows the death of Former Motörhead drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor just last month.
Ian Fraser “Lemmy” Kilmister was born in Staffordshire, England in 1945 and was inspired to become a musician after seeing The Beatles perform in concert.
Motörhead released their 22nd studio album Bad Magic earlier this year, and had been planning to celebrate their 40th Anniversary as a band with an extensive run of shows across the UK and Europe across early 2016.
They last toured Australia with Black Label Society back in 2011.
You can catch Lemmy in the upcoming blockbuster Gutterdämmerung, billed as “the loudest silent movie on earth” alongside fellow icons Iggy Pop, Josh Homme and Slash.
Lemmy said of the film: “If you don’t like it, you can fuck off”.
RIP to one of the most badass motherfuckers ever to play rock n’ roll.
You know I’m born to lose, and gambling’s for fools…
Gallery: 13 Photos Of Lemmy Kilmister At His Most Badass
Update: Motörhead have released this statement via their Facebook page
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, 28 December 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
