Motorhead Frontman Lemmy Kilmister Dies at 70

Motörhead frontman and heavy metal leader Lemmy Kilmister has died at age 70.

Kilmister was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer just two days before his passing on Monday (Dec. 28). He had long battled a series of health issues, forcing Motörhead to cancel tour dates in recent years. The band issued the following statement via Facebook:

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 its 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.

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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.

The Motörhead frontman was born Ian Fraser “Lemmy” Kilmister in Staffordshire, England, in 1945. He was in several bands before joining psych-rock outfit Hawkwind as bassist in 1972. He contributed to three albums before he was fired from the band after he was arrested at the U.S.-Canadian border for drug possession in 1975.

Kilmister then founded Motörhead as singer and bassist. The band released their self-titled debut in 1977. Since then, the heavy metal pioneers have issued more than 20 albums together, including touchstones like Ace of Spades and their most recent full-length Bad Magic, which arrived this past August. Enduring several lineup changes over the years, Kilmister was Motörhead's only constant member.

Many musicians have taken to social media to remember the rock giant: