Lemmy Kilmister Dies: Motörhead Frontman Dead, Aged 70

Motörhead Frontman Lemmy Dies Three Days After Cancer Diagnosis
|

Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister has died three days after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.

The 70-year-old has received tributes from fans the world over, as well as from the last surviving member of the classic Motörhead line-up guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clarke.

Clarke who played with the heavy metal group between 1976 to 1982 said 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. R.I.P Lemmy!"

The rock star, whose real name was Ian, died just days after celebrating his birthday following a short battle with an "extremely aggressive cancer".

Lemmy received the shock diagnosis on Boxing Day, the band said.

Open Image Modal

Lemmy pictured at the Classic Rock Roll of Honour at London's Roundhouse on November 11 2015

His death comes little more than a month since that of the band's first drummer Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor. Lemmy himself led tributes to the 61-year-old rocker, who died on November 11.

A post on the band's Facebook page, which was also shared by the band's current drummer Mikkey Dee, said: "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 26, 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.

Open Image Modal

Lemmy performed with the band in Florida in September 2015

"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 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."

Open Image Modal

Motorhead continued to play to packed audiences, such as this scene from Wembley Arena in 2014

The rock music world reacted with shock at the news.

Ozzy Osbourne, of Black Sabbath fame, tweeted his tribute to the frontman.

Kiss star Gene Simmons posted a picture of him with Lemmy.

Queen guitarist Brian May said: "Sitting here, Re-Tweeting, distracted, and wondering what I can possibly say about our utterly unique friend Lemmy's passing. Ouch."

Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan added: "Rest In Peace Lemmy. A hell of a man who suffered no fools. U shall be missed brother, and, THANK u 4 the years of unwavering kick ass R&R."

Lemmy, who was born in Stoke-on-Trent on Christmas Eve 1945, founded Motorhead in 1975 after being fired from previous band Hawkwind.

According to the band's website, his exit followed his arrest at the Canadian border for possessing cocaine, causing the band to cancel some of a US tour, The Press Association reported.

The Grammy-award winners are perhaps best known for their single Ace Of Spades, while the fanged face that appears on their album artwork has become one of rock's most recognisable figures.

It took several years for the band to break into popular consciousness, which came when they achieved critical acclaim with the 1980 Ace Of Spades album, which reached number four in the UK chart.

The band recently celebrated their 40th year by releasing their 22nd studio album, Bad Magic, and were set to play dates in the UK and Europe over the next few months as part of a world tour.

Celebs We Lost In 2015
Jackie Collins(01 of31)
Open Image Modal
Jackie, who sold more than 500 million novels in more than 40 countries in her four decades-long career as a writer in raunchy female fiction, died of breast cancer in September. She was 77 years old. (credit:Star Max/IPx)
Anne Kirkbride(02 of31)
Open Image Modal
The 'Coronation Street' legend played Deirdre Barlow on the cobbles for over 40 years. She died in January at the age of 60. (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
Terry Pratchett(03 of31)
Open Image Modal
The bestselling 'Discworld' author died in March at the age of 66. (credit:Dave M. Benett via Getty Images)
Lil' Chris(04 of31)
Open Image Modal
Pop singer Lil’ Chris - real name Christopher Hardman - died at the age of 24 in March. An inquest later revealed he had killed himself after battling depression. (credit:Joel Ryan/PA Wire)
Keith Harris(05 of31)
Open Image Modal
Ventriloquist Keith Harris was best known for his double-act with Orville the Duck. He died of cancer, at the age of 67, in April. (credit:B. Gomer via Getty Images)
Cilla Black(06 of31)
Open Image Modal
The 'Blind Date' and 'Surprise Surprise' star passed away following a fall at her Spanish villa in August at the age of 72. (credit:Yui Mok/PA Wire)
Leonard Nimoy(07 of31)
Open Image Modal
Actor Leonard Nimoy, who was best-known for his role as Mr. Spock in the 'Star Trek' franchise, died on Feb. 27, 2015. He was 83. (credit:RE/Westcom/STAR MAX/IPx)
Christopher Lee(08 of31)
Open Image Modal
The veteran actor made his name in a long list of 'Hammer House of Horror' films, from which he will forever be celebrated for his role as Count Dracula. He passed away in June at London's Chelsea and Westminster Hospital aged 93. (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
B.B. King(09 of31)
Open Image Modal
Legendary blues star B.B. King died at the age of 89 in May.
Anne Meara(10 of31)
Open Image Modal
Anne Meara, star of ‘Sex And The City’ and mother to Ben Stiller, died at the age of 85 in May. (credit:Evan Agostini/AP)
A.J. Pero(11 of31)
Open Image Modal
A.J. Pero, the drummer for the heavy metal band Twisted Sister, died on March 20, 2015. He was 55. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Robert Lewis Burns Jr.(12 of31)
Open Image Modal
Robert Lewis Burns Jr., the original drummer for rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, died in a car accident on April 4, 2015. He was 64. (credit:Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images)
Richard Glatzer(13 of31)
Open Image Modal
Richard Glatzer, who wrote and directed the film 'Still Alice' while battling ALS, died on March 10, 2015. He was 63 (credit:Chris Pizzello /Invision/AP)
Sam Simon(14 of31)
Open Image Modal
Nine-time Emmy winner Sam Simon, who wrote episodes of “Taxi,” “Cheers” and “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show” before co-creating "The Simpsons," died on March 9. He was 59. (credit:Tonya Wise/Invision/AP)
Clark Terry(15 of31)
Open Image Modal
Legendary jazz musician Clark Terry, who mentored Miles Davis and Quincy Jones and played in the orchestras of both Count Basie and Duke Ellington and on "The Tonight Show," died on Feb. 21, 2015. He was 94. (credit:Frank Micelotta via Getty Images)
Geraldine McEwan(16 of31)
Open Image Modal
Actress Geraldine McEwan, known for playing Agatha Christie sleuth Miss Marple on television, died on Jan. 30, 2015 at age 82. (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
Taylor Negron(17 of31)
Open Image Modal
Taylor Negron, a comedian and actor who described his style as “California Gothic” and who brought a funereal, straight-faced sensibility to a career’s worth of character roles in cult comedies like “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” and “One Crazy Summer,” died on Jan. 10, 2015. He was 57. (credit:John Lamparski via Getty Images)
Samuel Goldwyn Jr.(18 of31)
Open Image Modal
Samuel Goldwyn Jr., the son of a fiercely independent-minded Hollywood mogul and the producer of many independent films in his own right including “Mystic Pizza” and studio hits including “Master and Commander,” died on Jan. 9, 2015 . He was 88. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Andrae Crouch(19 of31)
Open Image Modal
Andrae Crouch, a Grammy Award-winning gospel performer, songwriter and choir director, died on Jan. 8, 2015. He was 72. (credit:Frederick Breedon IV via Getty Images)
Donna Douglas(20 of31)
Open Image Modal
Actress Donna Douglas, who played the buxom tomboy Elly May Clampett on the hit 1960s sitcom "The Beverly Hillbillies," died on Jan. 1, 2015. She was 82. (credit:CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images)
Ron Moody(21 of31)
Open Image Modal
Ron Moody, famous for playing Fagin in the musical version of 'Oliver!', died in June aged 91.The sprightly British stage and screen veteran found worldwide acclaim when he instructed all his young street urchins how to 'pick a pocket or two' in 1968, and was Oscar-nominated for his role in the hit film in 1968, when he starred alongside Mark Lester, Harry Secombe, Jack Wild, Leonard Rossiter and Shani Wallis. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
James Horner(22 of31)
Open Image Modal
The two-time Oscar-winning film composer was killed in a plane crash when the aircraft he was piloting came down in Santa Barbara, California. He was 61. (credit:Ian West/PA Wire)
Wes Craven(23 of31)
Open Image Modal
The famed horror film director of 'Nightmare On Elm Street' fame passed away age at 76 in August. He was battling brain cancer at the time. (credit:Star Max/IPx)
Omar Sharif(24 of31)
Open Image Modal
The 'Lawrence of Arabia' actor died on July 10 at the age of 83. He suffered a heart attack after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease earlier this year. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Bobbi Kristina Brown(25 of31)
Open Image Modal
Bobbi Kristina, the daughter of Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown passed away on July 26. She was 22. Her death came nearly six months after she was found unconscious in her bathtub in her Roswell, Georgia home. (credit:Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
James Best(26 of31)
Open Image Modal
The actor, who played Sheriff Rosco P Coltrane in the US TV show 'Dukes Of Hazzard', died in a hospice in Hickory, North Carolina after a brief illness and battle with pneumonia. He was 88. (credit:Getty)
Percy Sledge(27 of31)
Open Image Modal
The legendary R&B singer, best known for his 1966 hit 'When a Man Loves a Woman' died at his Baton Rouge, Louisiana home after a long battle with cancer in April. He was 73. (credit:Taylor Hill via Getty Images)
Errol Brown(28 of31)
Open Image Modal
The Hot Chocolate singer died in his home in The Bahamas after losing his battle to liver cancer at the age of 71. His hits included 'So You Win Again' and 'You Sexy Thing'. (credit:Photoshot via Getty Images)
Lemmy(29 of31)
Open Image Modal
The Motörhead frontman died on 29 December, just three days after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. He was 70. (credit:Getty)
Nanny Pat(30 of31)
Open Image Modal
‘The Only Way Is Essex' star died at the age of 80 following a short illness just a week before Christmas. (credit:Doug Peters)
John Bradbury(31 of31)
Open Image Modal
The Specials’ drummer John Bradbury died at the age of 62 at the end of December.The sad news was shared via the band’s Twitter account, with a simple post that read: "It is with deep regret that we say goodbye to our great friend, the world's greatest drummer, our beloved Brad. RIP." (credit:Rhythm Magazine via Getty Images)