Lemmy funeral lars ulrich biography

  • In a lengthy eulogy to
  • The service also heard from Robert

    • Fans, musicians remember Motörhead’s Lemmy at memorial and on Sunset Strip

    Nearly two weeks after he died, Motörhead founder and heavy metal icon Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister received his formal farewell on Saturday at Forest Lawn Memorial-Park in Los Angeles. As family members, fellow metal-heads and longtime friends filled the sanctuary to remember a singular artist and creator of such rock ‘n’ roll classics as “Ace of Spades,” “Overkill,” “Stay Clean” and dozens of others, thousands of rockers across the world watched via a live YouTube feed.

    Like the man himself, the two-hour ceremony was light on formalities but heavy in intensity. Filled with funny, honest stories and anecdotes about a bassist and singer who carved a singular path through life, the celebration focused on what many described as a man with integrity and focus.

    Among those offering words were Lars Ulrich and Robert Trujillo of Metallica, Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters, Judas Priest singer Rob Halford, Alice in Chains bassist Mike Inez, former Motörhead members and behind-the-scenes supporters. Attendees also included Ozzy Osbourne, Nik Turner of Hawkwind and porn star Ron Jeremy.

    To a person, those celebrating Lemmy, who died at age 70, gushed about a man whose charisma was matched only by his kindness and commitment to his purpose, which was to play rock ‘n’ roll until he died.

    “They say you can’t choose your parents. Well, I won the lottery when I got Lemmy,” said his son Paul Inder, who offered an eloquent recollection of the last time he saw his dad perform, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles in August.

    In the dressing room before the show, recalled Inder, Lemmy was frail, his trembling hand more pronounced and his voice softer. “But the moment it came to showtime, his uncompromising grit and unyielding determination kept him going at full beam,” he said, “and I knew nothing was going to stop him, not even at this point, from getting up onstage and doing what he loved to do mos

    Lemmy of Motorhead: Singer's funeral held in Los Angeles

    Family and fellow rock stars paid tribute to Motorhead frontman and "free spirit" Lemmy at his funeral in LA.

    The British musician, who was born Ian Fraser Kilmister in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, died on 28 December, aged 70, just two days after discovering he had an "extremely aggressive cancer".

    Motorhead drummer Mikkey Dee, Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl, and Slash from Guns N' Roses all spoke at the service.

    Fans were asked not to attend but a live stream was put on YouTube.

    A photograph of Motorhead was on display at the service chapel, together with a bank of speakers, Lemmy's boots and an urn shaped like the singer's trademark black brimmed hat.

    The service at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery began with an introduction by the band's manager Todd Singerman, who welcomed guests to the "celebration of Lemmy's life".

    "We all know he would not have stood for anything formal or sombre," he added.

    Obituary: Lemmy

    The singer and bassist's son Paul Inder recalled his father's life as a "stage warrior" and "free spirit".

    Lemmy, who lived in Los Angeles, had "felt something was wrong" in August last year and appeared frail, he said.

    "He wasn't a religious man and praying for a miracle was something he would have viewed as a delusional act, but he was profoundly spiritual," said Mr Inder.

    "Travel well, my dear father. You are back out on the road for a longest tour to the great gig in the sky."

    Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash told the service: "Lemmy was somebody I just feel so honoured to have been friends with. He lived his life the way he wanted to... his music and personality will last forever."

    The service also heard from Robert Trujillo and Lars Ulrich from Metallica, Judas Priest singer Rob Halford and Anthrax frontman Scott Ian.

    It ended with an em

    This is what it was like to speak at Lemmy's funeral

    It’s a cold, grey day in Los Angeles on Saturday January 9 as we gather at Hollywood’s Forest Lawn Memorial Park to say a final farewell, but a shot of Jack helps to take the edge off.

    There are crates of the stuff, shots handed out as we enter the chapel, and no one says no. It wouldn’t be right, not today, because today we say goodbye to a legend and we do so as he lived his life, entirely on his terms. Besides, we’ll all need a little Dutch courage. Of course, there are tears, but more than anything else this is a celebration. We mourn a great loss, but it is our loss. Lemmy had no regrets.

    To be honest, it’s difficult to know what to share with you, but rest assured the end was perfect. The floral tributes, - one with an iron cross and the words RIP Lemmy, another made to look like a line of speed – the Marshall stacks on stage, Lemmy’s trademark cowboy boots and downward pointing microphone, all of it perfect. Some of the rest may be too personal, too intrusive. Just know that it was right.

    And perhaps some other moments need to be shared. There are tears in Dave Grohl’s eyes as he shows me his Lemmy tribute tattoo, an ace of spades (naturally) with the words Shake Your Blood. I tell him to stop wincing about and he smiles, recognising the words from the start of Motörhead’s Jailbait. Instead we share Lemmy tales, that first time Lemmy poured him a Jack and Coke – half a pint of Jack with the merest splash of Coke, stirred with his finger; that time I sucked speed off that same grubby digit and was awake for three days. And yes, it was as disgusting as it sounds. The important thing is that today there are as many smiles and fond memories as tears.

    Doubtless you watched the live feed with a large drink in hand, the beautiful words from Lemmy’s son Paul, from Lemmy’s long-time girlfriend Cheryl, from Lars Ulrich and

    Ulrich: I met Motorhead, then started Metallica

    Lars explains why band’s "our hero" tribute to Lemmy was no exaggeration

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    Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich has detailed how big a part Lemmy played in his decision to form his first band.

    The 70-year-old died at home in Los Angeles on December 28, two days after being told he had an aggressive form of cancer.

    In an official tribute Metallica described him as “our hero” and added: “Lemmy, you are one of the primary reasons this band exists.”

    Now Ulrich has told how, after having seen Motorhead play on a number of occasions, he found his way into their rehearsal room in England when he was 16 years old.

    He tells Rolling Stone: “I had two nights in London. When I got there, I checked in with my friend who had gotten to know Motorhead’s management. He said, ‘Motorhead are rehearsing, so if you want to catch up with them, go down there and see if you can find any of them.’ It was a loose tip.

    “I got down to this studio – and within half an hour I’m sitting in their room and it’s Lemmy, Phil Taylor and Eddie Clark. It was just them and me, and they’re writing songs for their next album.

    “I remember they were talking about this new song called Iron Fist. This is the biggest band in England, and I’m just sitting there with them in the fucking rehearsal room writing songs for their next record. Just put that in fucking perspective.”

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    Ulrich continues: “There was this openness to let people into their inner circle, and it motivated me. I had met this kid, James Hetfield, about six months before – I could tell he was a super-cool guy, but nothing much came out of that interaction.

    “La