Ian Fraser 'Lemmy' Kilmister
12/24/45-12/28/15
“Born to lose, lived to win.”
It seemed as though time stood still for a moment when millions of Motorhead fans across the world learned of the passing of Ian ‘Lemmy’ Kilmister. The announcement was made via the official Motorhead Facebook page, stating that he passed away “after a short battle with an extremely aggressive cancer.”
A tribute page to Lemmy was almost immediately created for fans to express their sorrow for the loss of this metal legend.
One fan wrote, “Can’t believe that you are gone…you will always be missed! Cheers from Hamburg!”
“RIP Lemmy; a big part of my life growing up and continue to be so…,” said another.
“I’m so grateful I had the privilege to work with you the few times that I did. It’s an understatement to say you will be missed. Thanks for the awesome memories,” chimed in another fan.
“Saw you at the Rainbow in 1994; will never forget you!”
Those are just a few of the statements that are being made in honor of the icon, who was best known as the founder of Motorhead. The band's Ace of Spades album has even been described as "one of the best metal albums by any band, ever." However, the band's founder was much more than just the frontman of the legendary metal band.
Lemmy was one of the more popular writers on Ozzy Osbourne’s 1991 album, No More Tears. “Desire,” “I Don’t Want to Change the World,” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home” are a few of the tracks he played a great hand in bringing to existence. Most notably, the track “Hellraiser” was also written by Lemmy, and Motorhead later recorded it for themselves. He was also the writer of “R.A.M.O.N.E.S.” for The Ramones, and even continued to play the song live as a tribute to the punk band.
Additionally, Lemmy had several cameo appearances in various movies and even video games. He appeared as an unlockable character in Metallica’s version of Guitar Hero.
Metallica actually posted “Our hero…” on their Facebook page after the news of Lemmy’s passing, and Ozzy Osbourne and Judas Priest were just a couple of other famous acts to express feelings on social media.
While the rock icon’s death has gotten plenty of worldwide attention, many San Angeloans are also mourning the loss.
“I heard about Lemmy passing Monday night via Facebook,” Deadhorse owner Rex Rogers stated. “You know you’ve made the right choices on Facebook when your newsfeed is filled with Motorhead posts. The man was as real as they come. He once said, ‘If you live a life you don’t like, it’ll kill you just the same—and make you miserable before that!’ He set the bar. He was the bar! Thank you, Lemmy…your music and inspiration will live on and loud forever!”
When Lemmy passed, only four days following his 70th birthday, it was apparent that Motorhead was planning a world tour. The biography section of the official Motorhead website reads, “This year also signals the 40th year of Motorhead’s triumphant existence, something which will be celebrated throughout the rest of 2015 and into 2016, with the band touring the world once more and showing that if it’s too loud, you’re too old!”
Even though his death was a shock to his band family, they ask that fans stay strong and celebrate his life rather than mourn the loss. The end of the statement released by Motorhead read, “We will say more in the coming days, but for now, please…play Motorhead 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.”
The Facebook tribute page can be found at http://www.facebook.com/lemmykilmis….
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Post a comment to this article here: