Lemmy Kilmister, Motörhead's fearless leader, mourned by music fans
Bassist and voice of seminal rock band Motörhead died Dec. 28 days after cancer diagnosis
The world has heard its last "We are Motörhead and we play rock 'n' roll."
It was the infamous tagline Ian (Lemmy) Kilmister — or just Lemmy to his millions of fans — rasped before every live performance.
The hard-living founder, singer and bassist of the British heavy rock band Motörhead — which earlier this year celebrated its 40th anniversary with a tour and Motörboat music cruise — died on Dec. 28, days after a cancer diagnosis.
He was 70.
The remaining band members confirmed on Tuesday that Motörhead would not continue without Lemmy, telling a Swedish newspaper that "Lemmy was Motörhead."
The world learned of his death around 8 p.m. ET on Monday, and the band quickly confirmed the news on its official Facebook page.
The outpouring of condolences, vintage Lemmy photos, YouTube videos and Motörhead-related memories from fans, friends and bands was swift and voluminous.
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPLemmy?src=hash">#RIPLemmy</a> - he was 1 of a kind. He was innovative, true to his art & an Icon. Condolences to his family, band & fans <a href="https://t.co/OmH7kpaOY7">pic.twitter.com/OmH7kpaOY7</a>
—@RealAliceCooperLost one of my best friends, Lemmy, today. He will be sadly missed. He was a warrior and a legend. I will see you on the other side.
—@OzzyOsbourneThis is how I found out there was a Lemmy. Young Ones + Lemmy = Ecstatic teenager <a href="https://t.co/Ij2USUZZuh">https://t.co/Ij2USUZZuh</a>
—@chris4llenNobody else could make a glamour shot Rock n Roll. R.I.P <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lemmy?src=hash">#Lemmy</a> <a href="https://t.co/OdJrmaYYeh">pic.twitter.com/OdJrmaYYeh</a>
—@Who_is_BauerMy 1st published photo in the Standard as a teenage rock photographer <a href="https://t.co/W3FggZdCKM">https://t.co/W3FggZdCKM</a> photography <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPLemmy?src=hash">#RIPLemmy</a> <a href="https://t.co/og98VBtSx3">pic.twitter.com/og98VBtSx3</a>
—@MsMarmiteloverA musical legacy.
Lemmy formed Motörhead after being expelled from his previous psych/prog-rock band Hawkwind for using too much speed, an amphetamine Lemmy was fond of. He formed Motörhead in 1975, naming his new band after the last song he'd written for Hawkwind (Motörhead is also slang for "speed freak").
Lemmy's musical prowess was inspirational to generations of musicians, with hundreds of punk, rock and metal bands expressing their sadness over his death.
Lemmy, you are one of the primary reasons this band exists. We're forever grateful for all of your inspiration. RIP <a href="https://t.co/WC1csn5F5x">pic.twitter.com/WC1csn5F5x</a>
—@MetallicaWe’ve lost a friend & legend. My heart is broken. RIP Lemmy. Born To Lose, Lived To Win. <a href="https://t.co/6KJ4cBCNfH">https://t.co/6KJ4cBCNfH</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/myMotorhead">@myMotorhead</a>
—@foofightersLemmy has passed away. Truly one of a kind. Much more to him than many knew. RIP. <a href="https://twitter.com/RollingStone">@RollingStone</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ClassicRockMag">@ClassicRockMag</a> <a href="https://t.co/d1izWStIii">pic.twitter.com/d1izWStIii</a>
—@PaulStanleyLiveLemmy...words can't express how much you meant to Our music and our lives. I'm glad I knew a legend <a href="https://twitter.com/myMotorhead">@myMotorhead</a> 💜🤘 <a href="https://t.co/1hHrtMEftP">pic.twitter.com/1hHrtMEftP</a>
—@skisum"Motörhead never let me down... I feel they're the most exciting band, besides ourselves" — Joey Ramone (1992) <a href="https://t.co/dxds2Pet1O">https://t.co/dxds2Pet1O</a>
—@traceylindemanLemmy was mourned at his favourite bar.
Lemmy's love for the Los Angeles bar the Rainbow Bar and Grill — where he for years played the same video-lottery terminal and drank Jack Daniels and Coke (he had recently switched to orange juice and vodka for his health) — was well documented. Tourists often headed to the bar to see if they could find him and snap a photo with him.
Tributes to Lemmy sprang up at his video poker machine overnight.
First time I went into the Rainbow, Lemmy was at the end of the bar drinking a jack & coke and playing video poker. Last time, same thing
—@mcmoynihanRIP <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lemmy?src=hash">#Lemmy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/myMotorhead">@myMotorhead</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rainbow?src=hash">#Rainbow</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Hwood_Blvd">@Hwood_Blvd</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/HollywoodLA311">@HollywoodLA311</a> <a href="https://t.co/1zl7WLutA6">pic.twitter.com/1zl7WLutA6</a>
—@DonnellyWood<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lemmy?src=hash">#Lemmy</a> 's place at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rainbow?src=hash">#Rainbow</a> Bar & Grill. Reserved forever... <a href="https://t.co/MO6D41S8Yd">pic.twitter.com/MO6D41S8Yd</a>
—@YanniRamone