Lemmy, born Ian Fraser Kilmister, was the founding member and singer of British heavy metal band Motörhead. He lived as loudly as he played – performing just months up to his December 2015 death, aged 70
Ian Fraser Kilmister, better known as Lemmy, performing as bassist and vocalist of the rock band Hawkwind in Paradiso, Amsterdam, in 1972. He played in several rock bands, including the Rockin’ Vickers and Sam Gopal.
Lemmy in 1980. After leaving Hawkwind he started a new band called Bastard, which was later changed to Motörhead – the title of the last song he had written for Hawkwind.
He was Motörhead’s only constant member, as singer and bassist. The band released 23 studio albums and are best known for their 1980 single Ace of Spades.
Lemmy in a photo shoot with the Guardian. The singer’s vocal growl and aggressive bass playing has been emulated by countless other bands, but the singer joked he largely learned on the job, telling Spin in 2012 that ‘the volume’s loud so nobody really notices that much’.
