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Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister, legendary front man and bass player for the heavy metal/rock/punk band Motörhead, died Monday evening at the age of 70, just two days after being diagnosed with cancer.
Official release from Motörhead on the death of Lemmy Kilmister #RIPLemmy pic.twitter.com/RbvE4UzHbX
— #RIPLemmy (@TheMetalCore) December 29, 2015
Probably best known for the fast, hard-driving, knock-you-upside-the-head song "Ace of Spades," Motörhead and frontman Lemmy brought a rip-roaring, aggressive sound and style whose influence can be heard in just about every song you've ever rocked out to. If you've never heard it before (and even if you have), stop for a minute and listen to Motörhead's "Ace of Spades":
Lemmy was idolized by nearly every person who's ever picked up a guitar — or just listened to one — for both his music and his bold, brash, no-apologies hard-living rock-and-roll lifestyle. As the man himself once said, "If you're going to be a fucking rock star, go be one. People don't want to see the guy next door on stage; they want to see a being from another planet."
As news of his death spread, musicians who knew him or were just inspired by him took to Twitter to remember the man many viewed as a rock-and-roll god:
Lost 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.
— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) December 29, 2015
Lemmy, you are one of the primary reasons this band exists. We're forever grateful for all of your inspiration. RIP pic.twitter.com/WC1csn5F5x
— Metallica (@Metallica) December 29, 2015
Lemmy: Rest In Peace, my friend. pic.twitter.com/2M6VPiBGyE
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) December 29, 2015
The world's true lord and savior, Lemmy Kilmister has passed away today. Rock and metal are dead. https://t.co/uQm4lpg4yZ
— GWAR (@GWARofficial) December 29, 2015
Lemmy RIP….@myMotorhead my condolences to his family..
— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) December 29, 2015
#Lemmy was 70 and died on his own terms.
— Propagandhi Ⓥ (@propagandhi) December 29, 2015
RIP Lemmy. A true rebel, cool guy and talented musician. We've lost another good one. -Ness https://t.co/ABFBrWtRie pic.twitter.com/lt4TexQpTa
— Social Distortion (@SocialD1) December 29, 2015
RIP Lemmy. pic.twitter.com/zubPd2N0uM
— Philip H. Anselmo (@philiphanselmo) December 29, 2015
1st time I played with Motörhead, Lemmy watched from side of the stage, turned to our tech & said "You call this music" RIP #YouWillBeMissed
— Billy Biohazard (@billybiohazard) December 29, 2015
Seeing Motörhead at the Yakima Speedway on ace of spades tour changed my life. So sad
— mark lanegan (@marklanegan) December 29, 2015
And my favorite tribute of all, from Henry Rollins, a legend in his own right:
Lemmy
— henryrollins (@henryrollins) December 29, 2015
Because that's really all that needs to be said.
