Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister dies, aged 70, Latest Music News - The New Paper
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Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister dies, aged 70

Beloved heavy metal icon Lemmy Kilmister, lead singer and bassist of the legendary Motörhead, has died at the age of 70.

He died on Monday (Dec 28) after a brief battle with cancer. 

A statement was posted on Motörhead's 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 aggressive cancer.

"He had learnt of the disease on December 26th, and was at home, sitting in front of his favourite video game from The Rainbow which had recently made its way down the street, with his family," said the statement.

The band also said: "We will say more in the coming days, but for now, please... play Motörhead loud, play Hawkwind loud, play Lemmy's music LOUD."

Kilmister was known for his exceptionally distinctive gravelly voice and his skill on the bass.

His look was uncompromising. Facial hair and facial warts, two of them on his left cheek.

Born Ian Fraser Kilmister, his nickname supposedly came from his tendency to ask people "Lemme borrow a quid". 

He was a member of space-rockers Hawkwind. During that time he wrote the song Motorhead. (It was covered by many younger bands, including Primal Scream in 1997). 

He then formed the band Motörhead in 1975 and was its sole remaining original member.

The band have released a total of 22 albums, including the classic Ace of Spades, which spawned the hit single and to some extent, Motorhead's theme tune.

 

 

Besides his hard-hitting music, Kilmister was also known for his larger-than-life personality.

He was controversially fond of collecting – and wearing – Nazi memorabilia.

In his apartment, there was a huge assortment of Nazi daggers, flags, medals and uniforms.

Kilmister also had a great appetite for excess, and with that came issues with drugs and alcohol.

He took amphetamines to battle exhaustion when tours went on for months at a time.

Though he cut down in the 90s  as his health began to feel the toll of his lifestyle.

It was said that Kilmister boasted that he had drank a bottle of Jack Daniel's every day since he turned 30.

That was until he gave up alcohol in 2013 for health reasons.

He said in an interview with Rolling Stone in January 2014: "I suddenly realised I was waking up in pools of other people's vomit, and I had no recollection of them. That's a bit much."

Despite his lifestyle, Kilmister's lack of serious illness gave him an aura and reputation as some near-indestructible being.

The news of his death shook the music world.

Some of the biggest names in rock have paid tribute to him online.

'Fast' Eddie Clarke, the former Motorhead guitarist said: "The world seems a really empty place right now... He will live on in our hearts RIP Lemmy!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MotörheadLemmy KilmisterUncategorisedMusic