Lemmy

British rock musician (1945–2015)

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Source-basedRising

Lived 1945–2015, aged 70United Kingdom

United Kingdom MusiciansSinger / Musician

Wikipedia
61 languages
Cross-language footprint
Era
1945–2015
Aged 70
Known for
Frankenstein '80
1972

Summary

Updated 2026-06-08

The only constant in Motörhead for forty years, playing bass like a rhythm guitarist through overdriven Marshall stacks, singing in a voice described as one of rock's most recognisable — a gravelly rasp aimed up at a microphone tilted down into his face.

Biography

About

Ian Fraser Kilmister grew up between Stoke-on-Trent and Wales, influenced by rock and roll and early Beatles, playing in 1960s groups like the Rockin' Vickers. He roadied for Jimi Hendrix and the Nice before joining Hawkwind in 1971, singing lead on their hit "Silver Machine". Fired in 1975 after a drug arrest, he founded Motörhead that same year. The band peaked around 1980–81 with "Ace of Spades" and the live album No Sleep 'til Hammersmith. He toured and recorded without pause until 28 December 2015, dying in Los Angeles four decades into a hard-living, road-driven life of chain-smoking, am…

Voice

In their own words

Sourced, dated quotes from Lemmy

Lemmy

said2015

In your twenties, you think you are immortal. In your thirties, you hope you are immortal.

— 2015

Lemmy

said2010

You can't have everything, can you? Where would you put it?

— 2010

Lemmy

said2010

(when asked if he has any regrets) None. Life's too short.

— 2010

Lemmy

said1980

We wanna be like Status Quo and go on forever. Chuck Berry never changed. Little Richard never changed. I’d rather be like that and stick to a formula we’re happy with.

— 1980

Lemmy

saidundated