R.I.P. Lemmy Kilmister

Photo Credit: Ian Gavan/Getty Images

Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister, bassist and frontman of heavy metal legends Motörhead and former member of Hawkwind, has died of cancer, only two days after his initial diagnosis of cancer and following years of other serious health problems. He was 70 years old. The rest of the band have shared an official statement via Facebook. Read below.

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 its 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.

Lemmy’s public struggles with illness intensified in recent years. The singer underwent surgery to have an implantable defibrillator placed in his chest in 2013, and has cancelled shows in recent years due to exhaustion and a haematoma.

Tags: Lemmy Kilmister, Motörhead, News