MOTÖRHEAD FRONTMAN LEMMY has passed away after being diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, aged 70.
Born Ian Fraser Kilmister, he founded Motorhead in 1975, and continued recording and touring with the band until his death.
Concerns were raised over his health earlier this year after a number of gigs were cancelled.
He began every live show with the announcement: “We are Motörhead, and we play rock and roll!”
His agent Andrew Goodfriend confirmed the death of the singer and bassist died yesterday.
“We cannot begin to express our shock and sadness, there aren’t words,” the band said in announcing the death on its Facebook page.
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.
Born on Christmas Eve 1945 in Staffordshire, England, Kilmister was deeply respected and revered as a rockmaster and innovator, from his time with the seminal psychedelic band Hawkwind in the early 1970s to his four decades in Motörhead, best known for the 1980 anthem Ace of Spades. The band won a Grammy for 2004′s best metal performance.
Ozzy Osbourne called him “one of my best friends”.
Numerous other rock musicians took to social media to pay tribute, including Queen guitarist Brian May, Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler, Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue and Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer, who tweeted, “RIP #Lemmy heaven is Rockin tonight.”
Kilmister had suffered numerous health issues in recent months. According to the band’s statement, he learned of his cancer diagnosis just two days before his death.
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