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Artist News
Tributes aplenty for Lemmy
By Chris Cooke | Published on Tuesday 29 December 2015
The music community has been busy paying tribute today to Lemmy, following the news that the Motörhead frontman had died, aged 70, just two days after being told he had cancer.
Lemmy, real name Ian Kilmister, formed Motörhead in 1975 and was the only constant member of the band throughout their 22 album career. Known for living the true rock n roll lifestyle, the frontman had been suffering from ill-health of late, and told The Guardian earlier this year that he was now off the whiskey, though was opting for vodka instead.
In a short statement, Lemmy’s bandmates confirmed his passing last night, and that he had discovered he had an “extremely aggressive cancer” in his final few days. The band wrote: “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. We cannot begin to express our shock and sadness, there aren’t words”.
The band’s manager, Todd Singerman, subsequently told the BBC that Lemmy’s cancer had been in his “brain and neck”. Paying tribute, he added: “He was was one of the last true rock stars left, this guy lived it every day. He was one of the kindest men I ever met – he was the people’s man”.
Unsurprisingly, a plethora of fellow rock stars took to Twitter to pay tribute to the Motörhead frontman. Ozzy Osbourne tweeted: “Lost one of my best friends, Lemmy, today. He will be sadly missed. He was a warrior and a legend”. While Osbourne’s Black Sabbath bandmate Geezer Butler added: “Very sad to hear of Lemmy’s passing. We’ve lost a true, true legend. RIP”.
Alice Cooper said: “He was one of a kind. He was innovative, true to his art and an icon. Condolences to his family, band and fans”. Kiss star Gene Simmons remarked: “Lemmy: Rest In Peace. Shake the heavens, my friend”. And Metallica said in a tweet: “Lemmy, you are one of the primary reasons this band exists. We’re forever grateful for all of your inspiration”.
Meanwhile Dave Brock of Hawkwind, who Lemmy played with for a short time before forming Motörhead, said: “Lemmy was a gentleman and a friend. I’ll miss our eccentric text conversations. We had that magic when we played together. His legend lives on.”
Lemmy’s death follows on closely from that of former Motörhead drummer Phil Taylor, who died last month. Acknowledging both losses, another ex-member of the band, ‘Fast’ Eddie Clarke, wrote on Facebook: “I have just been told that Lemmy has passed away in LA. Like Phil, he was like a brother to me. I am devastated. We did so much together, the three of us. The world seems a really empty place right now.
I am having trouble finding the words… He will live on in our hearts. RIP Lemmy!“
