Motorhead's Lemmy dies after Boxing Day cancer diagnosis
His heavy metal band sold more than 15 million albums worldwide.
Motorhead lead singer and basist Ian Kilmister, known by his stagename Lemmy, has died at 70 according to a post on the band's Facebook page.
The post says he the hard-living heavy metaler was diagnosed with cancer on Boxing Day.
Motorhead sold more than 15 million albums worldwide, and was best known for its singles "The Ace of Spades" and "Killed by Death".
The band spear-head what became known as the New Wave of British Heavy Metal; Lemmy was in LA at the time of his death, according to media reports.
Motorhead was formed in 1975 after Lemmy left prog rock band Hawkwind.
As he recruited for other bandmembers, he told press: "They'll be the dirtiest rock and roll band in the world. If we moved in next door your lawn would die."
Where Hawkwind was bloated, Lemmy's new outfit offered short, sharp tracks that lead them to become an oft-cited influence.
In 2013, Motorhead guitarist Phil Campbell said Lemmy had toned down his lifestyle — said at various points to include generous amounts of Jack Daniels, cigarettes, LSD and speed — after being fitted with a pacemaker and learning he had diabetes.
The band's Facebook post today 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.
A 1975 clipping (via @PETER_SQUIRES)
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Motorhead's Lemmy dies after Boxing Day cancer diagnosis
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