Lemmy Kilmister, founder and frontman for the British heavy metal band Motörhead, died on Dec 28, 2015 in Los Angeles, after, according to his surviving bandmates’ post on Facebook, being diagnosed with cancer only two days prior. Saturday Jan. 9th, Lemmy’s friends and family will pay tribute to the late Motörhead frontman exactly way he would have wanted it, at his favorite hangout, the Rainbow Bar & Grill in LA.
Born Ian Fraser Kilmister in rural north Wales, Lemmy, was influenced growing up by early rock n roll, most notably the Beatles, and was a roadie for Jimi Hendrix before becoming a part of Hawkwind. After getting fired from Hawkwind due to a drug bust, he formed Motörhead as lead singer, bassist, songwriter and frontman, along with “Fast” Eddie Clarke and drummer Phil “Philthy” Taylor, the lineup which many fans regard as Motörhead’s finest and certainly the band’s most commercially successful. Their golden era – 1979 to approximately 1983 – peaked with the live album No Sleep ’til Hammersmith, which reached Number 1 in the UK.
Klimister fathered two sons, 38-year-old music producer Paul, and another who was put up for adoption as a baby. Lemmy was quoted as saying, “I figure if I go and meet him for the sake of my curiosity it might ruin his life. It’s better for everyone if I don’t.” He was reunited with Paul in middle age after decades of separation. Lemmy adored and respected women, but worked his way through hundreds of one-night stands, saying, “I’ve had my share… and yours too!” He never married, explaining on many occasions that the love of his life had been Susan Bennett, a girlfriend who had died aged 19 from a heroin overdose. This resulted in his lifelong hatred of heroin, as well as contempt for ineffectual governmental attempts to curb its use.
Lemmy’s life was one filled with success and tragedy in equal measure, but above all, his indomitable spirit will never be forgotten.
– Laura Sedor
A memorial service will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Hollywood, commencing at 3 pm PST and ending at 4:30 pm, and can be seen on Youtube, to make sure that the cemetery is not overcrowded. The service can be viewed here. Lemmy’s friends and bandmates have announced that anyone wishing to send flowers can contact Karen Brando at Flowers by Michael (310) 276-1003, or follow the links posted below.
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