Lemmy Kilmister: Lead Singer of Motörhead dies at 70

The Motorhead founder and heavy metal icon had "an extremely aggressive cancer".

Motorhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister has died aged 70, his bandmates have confirmed.

It was revealed that the heavy metal icon had been diagnosed with an "extremely aggressive cancer" just days ago, in a touching tribute to the bassist on the band's Facebook page. It 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 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.

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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.

Please feel free to post your condolences, well wishes and memories on our official tribute page:

https://www.facebook.com/lemmykilmisterforlife

After cutting his teeth in beat bands in the 1960s, Kilmister spent time as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix before joining British space rockers Hawkwind and singing the band's biggest hit Silver Machine in 1972.

He later formed Motorhead in 1975 who went on to release a total of 22 studio albums across its different incarnations (the classic line-up broke up in 1982), including 1981's chart-topping No Sleep Til Hammersmith. View Motorhead's full chart history here.

Former Motorhead drummer Phil Taylor died only last month, to which Lemmy said: "He was a real character, he was a real nutcase, and I do admire that in a person."

Image: Rex/Shuttershock

Rich

2nd January 2016

Very sad he was a true icon and massively influential character in music, whether you like rock or not, and will be missed. RIP Lemmy. Live fast, die young. He has now been 'Killed by Death'.