Heavy metal legend Lemmy Kilmister, the longtime frontman and bassist of the British band Motorhead, died Monday at the age of 70. The death of Kilmister, who had been battling health problems that had forced him to cancel several shows, was first reported by radio DJ and TV host Eddie Trunk via Twitter.
The news was later confirmed in a Facebook post by Motorhead, which reads:
There is no easy way to say this...our mighty, noble friend Lemmy passed away today after a short battle with an extremely aggressive cancer. He had learnt of the disease on December 26th, and was at home, sitting in front of his favorite video game from The Rainbow which had recently made it's way down the street, with his family.
We cannot begin to express our shock and sadness, there aren't words.
We will say more in the coming days, but for now, please...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.
Ian 'Lemmy' Kilmister
1945 -2015
Born to lose, lived to win.
In addition to the cancer, Kilmister had been suffering from several health issues, including hematoma, and in 2013 he was fitted with an implantable defibrillator due to an irregular heartbeat, according to Consequence Of Sound.
Many high-profile musicians offered their condolences via Twitter, including Ozzy Osbourne, who called Kilmister "one of my best friends."
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
Kilmister was known as much for his seemingly indefatigable hard-living, heavy-drinking lifestyle as popular Motorhead songs like "Ace Of Spades."
Born Ian Fraser Kilmister in England on Dec. 24, 1975 - he had just turned 70 on Christmas Eve - the musician worked as a roadie for the Jimi Hendrix Experience while he lived with the band's bassist Noel Redding. Before forming Motorhead, initially called Bastard, he was the bass player for British space rock band Hawkwind.
Just earlier this month Kilmister told Classic Rock magazine that he was sick of being asked about his health.
"I'm sick of the f---ing, 'Are you going to die?' line of questioning," he said. "It's getting really old, that question. I'm alright. I'm going out there and doing my best.
"I have good days and bad days but mostly I've been doing alright. The last tour of the States was very good."
