Latest news with #LemmyKilmister
BBC News
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Plans for Burslem venue in memory of Motorhead's Lemmy Kilmister
A planned concert venue in heavy metal legend Lemmy Kilmister's hometown would help to boost the area's music scene, a local artist has proposal would see the vacant Queen's Theatre in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, transformed into an 800-seat venue with a cafe, museum and music those behind the idea is sculptor Andy Edwards, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, who created the statue of the Burslem-born Motorhead Edwards told BBC Radio Stoke the venue, which would be called Kilmister Hall, could help to attract more bands and artists to the city. "We've got a big musical heritage in this city and we used to attract the best bands," he said."That's drifted away and this [new venue] would make a huge difference in getting that back again." The Grade II-listed Queen's Theatre originally closed in 1998 but reopened for occasional events in 2003 before shutting again in neighbours the Lemmy statue on Market Place, which was unveiled on 9 May to mark 10 years since the singer's death from cancer and the 50-year anniversary of Motorhead's to IFK Legacy CIC, which is working on the proposal, plans for the venue were at an early stage and organisers were looking at procuring the building and raising have been held with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, which owns the theatre, and Mr Edwards said they had been "really positive". He said it was important the project was financially viable, adding: "It's not just about wild dreams, it's about making things pay for themselves and not run out of steam."A spokesperson for the city council said there had been "lots of discussions" with interested parties over the future of the Queen's Theatre."While these discussions are in still in the early stages and all options are being explored, it is clear that all interested parties are keen to progress with a project to restore the building, particularly one which will combine a performance space with wider community and educational uses," they added. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Unveiling of Lemmy statue in Burslem was sea of love
The sculptor who created the statue of heavy metal legend Lemmy Kilmister has praised the hundreds of fans who turned out for its unveiling, describing the crowd as a "sea of love".The 2.25m bronze-cast statue of the Motörhead frontman was uncovered in the singer's hometown of Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, during a ceremony on memorial, which stands on a plinth on Market Place, was designed by Andy Edwards to commemorate 10 years since the rocker's death and 50 years since the band was local artist told BBC Radio Stoke the event had a "festival vibe" but was more intimate. "It was just a sea of love. The atmosphere was great... everybody was lovely," he well as guest speakers, including Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell, the ceremony also saw a procession of motorbikes arrive with a portion of Lemmy's ashes, which were placed in the statue. Edwards, whose previous work includes a famous Beatles statue at Pier Head in Liverpool, said he was thinking of organising another event in Burslem in July to mark Motörhead's 50th anniversary."We need this statue in our area, we need something to bring people together and to show what kind of people we actually are," he added."I don't think it [the ceremony] can be topped, which is why we're thinking of doing it again." Bloodstock festival organiser Vicky Hungerford, who was friends with Lemmy, said she has been "on a high" since attending the event."You had to be there to appreciate how incredible the feeling, the vibe and the day was," she real name Ian Fraser Kilmister, was born in Burslem in 1945 and later lived in nearby Newcastle-under-Lyme and joined Hawkwind as a bassist and vocalist in 1971 before forming Motörhead four years band went on to release 23 studio albums in a career spanning 40 years until Lemmy's death on 28 December 2015, which came after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Daily Mail
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Dead man's fans again! Hundreds of Motörhead fans arrive in Stoke as statue of front man Lemmy famous for their hit Ace Of Spades is unveiled in his home town
Thousands of eager Motörhead fans gathered to witness the unveiling of a statue dedicated to frontman Lemmy Kilmister yesterday. The two-metre tall tribute to the renowned musician, born Ian Fraser Kilmister, has been erected on Market Place in his hometown of Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, nearly a decade on from his death. Renowned for their popular 1980s hit Ace of Spades, featuring the line 'the dead man's hand again', Motörhead skyrocketed to international stardom in the late 1970s, releasing 20 studio albums over the course of a 40-year career. By 2025, the heavy metal band had sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, with the group often credited for influencing multiple music scenes. Now, 50 years since the legendary band was formed, fans in their thousands were keen to catch a glimpse of the new monument which depicts the beloved rockstar during his 1980s heyday. Designed by Blurton sculptor and lifelong fan Andy Edwards, the statue even includes space to include Lemmy's ashes, which were accompanied to the ceremony by a procession of motorbikes. Renowned for their popular 1980s hit Ace of Spades, featuring the line 'the dead man's hand again', Motörhead skyrocketed to international stardom in the late 1970s, releasing 20 studio albums over the course of a 40-year career Alongside the unveiling of the new monument, other highlights to mark the anticipated event included a biker cavalcade, a 21-rev salute, and even an appearance from Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell. Lemmy found early success with the band Hawkwind before rocketing to international stardom with Motörhead in 1975. The group later became one of the defining metal bands of the 1980s, with Lemmy, lead singer, founder and bassist, once described as having 'one of the most recognisable voices in rock'. He died, aged 70, on December 28 2015, with his heartbreaking passing announced in a statement on the Motörhead Facebook page, which remembered a 'mighty, noble friend' and called on fans to play his music loud and 'have a drink or few'. His death came just over a month after the passing of his bandmate Phil 'Philthy Animal' Taylor. Famous for his hard-rocking lifestyle, Kilmister said he drank a bottle of Jack Daniels every day for many years, and also claimed to have slept with more than 1,000 women. He said he had never married because the love of his life, a woman named Susan Bennett, had died of a heroin overdose aged 19. He dedicated his autobiography to Ms Bennett. Pictured: fans gathered for the unveiling ceremony, which also featured a biker cavalcade, a 21-rev salute, and even an appearance from Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell In November last year, MailOnline reported that his ashes were understood to have been rehomed at Stringfellows nightclub in Covent Garden. The venue, which Lemmy was known to frequent, was even the place where Motörhead celebrated their 35th anniversary in November, 2010. Motörhead's former manager Todd Singerman said Stringfellows 'always had a special place' in Lemmy's heart. He told The Sun: 'He loved the relaxed environment — and he certainly loved the view. I know he's relieved he can get back to enjoying one of his favourite places.' It was the musician's request before his death for his remains to be placed inside bullets and sent to his loved ones. And in 2021, crew members Eddie Rocha and Emma Cederblad shared a video of them getting the permanent tribute to their late friend. Lemmy, whose real name was Ian Fraser Kilmister, later lived in nearby Newcastle-under-Lyme and Madeley after growing up in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent The clip began with the caption: 'Some of Lemmy's ashes were shared with family and close friends.' The bullet was then shown before the powdery residue was seen being slipped into ink to create a portrait of the musician for Eddie's leg and the band's iconic spade emblem for Emma. Former MTV Headbangers Ball host Riki Rachtman was the first to share the golden bullet he received engraved with Lemmy's name earlier that year. He captioned his Twitter post: ' Before his death #Lemmy asked for his ashes to be put in some bullets and handed out to his closest friends Today I received a bullet and was literally brought to tears Thank you @myMotorhead.'
The Star
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Statue of late Motorhead frontman Lemmy unveiled in English hometown
Motorhead fans snap pictures of a statue to commemorate Lemmy Kilmister, the Motorhead frontman, in Burslem, Stoke on Trent, England. Photo: AP A decade after his death, Lemmy, the frontman of the legendary British heavy metal band Motorhead, will stand tall and proud in his hometown in the north of England. Well, his statue will. Inside the statue though will be some of Lemmy's ashes, so it will no doubt become a shrine for Motorhead's legion of fans around the world. And indeed it was on Friday, as the statue to the hard-living Lemmy - real name Ian Kilmister - was unveiled in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent. A photographer takes a picture of a poster of singer Lemmy Kilmister, which is on display to commemorate the Motorhead frontman in Burslem, Stoke on Trent, England. Photo: AP Black leather and denim jackets emblazoned with Lemmy's image were the norm for the day on a bright and sunny day in the northern English town. No wonder, many fans opted for a thirst-quencher at the local pub. There were even some Lemmy lookalikes. Lemmy was the only continuous member of Motorhead, which he co-founded in 1975 after he was fired from another legendary rock band, Hawkwind, following a drug possession arrest at the Canadian border. So he decided to go his own way and Motorhead helped pioneer heavy metal music in Britain - and around the world - with a string of high-octane albums, perhaps most memorably with 1980's Ace Of Spades. A fan photographs exhibition items as Motorhead fans meet to commemorate Lemmy Kilmister, the Motorhead frontman in Burslem, Stoke on Trent, England. Photo:AP The statue was crafted by acclaimed local sculptor and lifelong Motorhead fan Andy Edwards - who is best-known for his statue of the Beatles on Liverpool's Pier Head. It captures Lemmy, who died from cancer in December 2015 at the age of 70, in his iconic pose with his bass guitar. In December, following his will's instructions, another batch of Lemmy's ashes were installed in an urn shaped like his trademark cavalry hat at the Stringfellows gentlemen's club in London where he was "a regular.' That and Friday's ceremony are part of the "Lemmy Forever!' movement, which sees the rocker enshrined in many of his favourite spots around the world. - AP
The Advertiser
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Lost 1976 Motörhead album set for release
Motörhead's lost 1976 album The Manticore Tapes is finally set to be released. The record, set to drop on June 27, features the classic lineup of the late Lemmy Kilmister, Fast Eddie Clarke, and Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor. It's named after Emerson, Lake and Palmer's famous Manticore Studio in Fulham, where the album was made. The unreleased songs will be available as an LP and CD, with alternate takes, instrumentals and early recordings of songs from their self-titled debut album and their 1979 album On Parole. Fans can get their hands on a deluxe edition boasting a second disc with the live set Blitzkrieg on Birmingham '77, as well as a previously unreleased 7-inch containing two live performances. The tapes were restored by Motörhead collaborator Cameron Webb at Maple Studios in California and mastered by Andrew Alekel at Bolskine House in Los Angeles. The lost album is part of Motörhead's 50th anniversary celebrations. Late frontman Lemmy Kilmister is set to receive a statue in his hometown of Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent as part of the milestone celebrations and to mark the 10th anniversary of his passing on December 28, 2015, aged 70. Motörhead's lost 1976 album The Manticore Tapes is finally set to be released. The record, set to drop on June 27, features the classic lineup of the late Lemmy Kilmister, Fast Eddie Clarke, and Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor. It's named after Emerson, Lake and Palmer's famous Manticore Studio in Fulham, where the album was made. The unreleased songs will be available as an LP and CD, with alternate takes, instrumentals and early recordings of songs from their self-titled debut album and their 1979 album On Parole. Fans can get their hands on a deluxe edition boasting a second disc with the live set Blitzkrieg on Birmingham '77, as well as a previously unreleased 7-inch containing two live performances. The tapes were restored by Motörhead collaborator Cameron Webb at Maple Studios in California and mastered by Andrew Alekel at Bolskine House in Los Angeles. The lost album is part of Motörhead's 50th anniversary celebrations. Late frontman Lemmy Kilmister is set to receive a statue in his hometown of Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent as part of the milestone celebrations and to mark the 10th anniversary of his passing on December 28, 2015, aged 70. Motörhead's lost 1976 album The Manticore Tapes is finally set to be released. The record, set to drop on June 27, features the classic lineup of the late Lemmy Kilmister, Fast Eddie Clarke, and Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor. It's named after Emerson, Lake and Palmer's famous Manticore Studio in Fulham, where the album was made. The unreleased songs will be available as an LP and CD, with alternate takes, instrumentals and early recordings of songs from their self-titled debut album and their 1979 album On Parole. Fans can get their hands on a deluxe edition boasting a second disc with the live set Blitzkrieg on Birmingham '77, as well as a previously unreleased 7-inch containing two live performances. The tapes were restored by Motörhead collaborator Cameron Webb at Maple Studios in California and mastered by Andrew Alekel at Bolskine House in Los Angeles. The lost album is part of Motörhead's 50th anniversary celebrations. Late frontman Lemmy Kilmister is set to receive a statue in his hometown of Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent as part of the milestone celebrations and to mark the 10th anniversary of his passing on December 28, 2015, aged 70. Motörhead's lost 1976 album The Manticore Tapes is finally set to be released. The record, set to drop on June 27, features the classic lineup of the late Lemmy Kilmister, Fast Eddie Clarke, and Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor. It's named after Emerson, Lake and Palmer's famous Manticore Studio in Fulham, where the album was made. The unreleased songs will be available as an LP and CD, with alternate takes, instrumentals and early recordings of songs from their self-titled debut album and their 1979 album On Parole. Fans can get their hands on a deluxe edition boasting a second disc with the live set Blitzkrieg on Birmingham '77, as well as a previously unreleased 7-inch containing two live performances. The tapes were restored by Motörhead collaborator Cameron Webb at Maple Studios in California and mastered by Andrew Alekel at Bolskine House in Los Angeles. The lost album is part of Motörhead's 50th anniversary celebrations. Late frontman Lemmy Kilmister is set to receive a statue in his hometown of Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent as part of the milestone celebrations and to mark the 10th anniversary of his passing on December 28, 2015, aged 70.
