Stars react to death of Motorhead's Lemmy Kilmister
Rock lost a heavy hitter when Motörhead frontman Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister died after a "short battle with an extremely aggressive cancer."
Celebrities paid tribute to Kilmister and reminisced about Kilmister's friendliness, late nights and strong influence on the heavy metal genre.
Big-name rockers like Ozzy Osbourne and Gene Simmons wrote heartfelt messages about Kilmister's death, but even unexpected stars like comedian Stephen Fry piped in with their memories of the 70-year-old musician.
Agent Andrew Goodfriend confirmed to The Associated Press that Kilmister died on Monday in Los Angeles after a brief battle with aggressive cancer.
The band wrote on its Facebook page that the British rocker learned of the cancer on December 26.
"We cannot begin to express our shock and sadness, there aren't words," the band wrote. "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."
#RIPLemmy - he was 1 of a kind. He was innovative, true to his art & an Icon. Condolences to his family, band & fans pic.twitter.com/OmH7kpaOY7
— Alice Cooper (@RealAliceCooper) December 29, 2015
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
Lemmy: Rest In Peace, my friend. pic.twitter.com/2M6VPiBGyE
— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) December 29, 2015
Lemmy has passed away. Truly one of a kind. Much more to him than many knew. RIP. @RollingStone @ClassicRockMag pic.twitter.com/d1izWStIii
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) December 29, 2015
It is a sad day. We have lost Lemmy, a legend of legends.
With the highest respect, Rest in Peace my friend.
King pic.twitter.com/MGlh5gPU4P
— King Diamond (@RealKingDiamond) December 29, 2015
"You win some, you lose some, It's all the same to me....." RIP Lemmy. MOTORHEAD
— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) December 29, 2015
I was 17 year old punk when I approached him after a blistering Motörhead set, & he was a
gentleman.
Always glad I said hello.
#Lemmy
— Alison Moyet (@AlisonMoyet) December 29, 2015
The mighty one has fallen. The father of Rock'n'Roll has said goodbye. Dear Lemmy, you will be missed. pic.twitter.com/n67GwanMqM
— Volbeat (@VOLBEAT) December 29, 2015
Lemmy, you are one of the primary reasons this band exists. We're forever grateful for all of your inspiration. RIP pic.twitter.com/WC1csn5F5x
— Metallica (@Metallica) December 29, 2015
A bad day for good music. First we lose Lemmy, now news that Brad from the Specials has passed away. RIP https://t.co/05ULhUjqS9
— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) December 29, 2015
Party for Lemmy.
— ANDREW W.K. (@AndrewWK) December 29, 2015
bye, lemmy...and thanks!
https://t.co/2dkVdE4N6A
— graham coxon (@grahamcoxon) December 29, 2015
Yep... Gonna have some @JackDaniels_US & @CocaCola tonight in loving memory of #Lemmy. Such a sad day... https://t.co/Z0Lm5UgSxc
— Dave Mustaine (@DaveMustaine) December 29, 2015
I'm very sorry to hear of Lemmy's passing. He was a great rock veteran, a force of nature and a really sweet guy.
— Steve Hackett (@HackettOfficial) December 29, 2015
Lemmy this one is for you! https://t.co/AwSPxEpsH2 @MikePortnoy @TheFrankBello @talkingmetal
— OVERKILL (@OverkillBand) December 29, 2015
So Long, Lemmy ... glad to have known you ... from Seasick @myMotorhead pic.twitter.com/P6L9WGDwO7
— Seasick Steve (@SeasickSteve) December 29, 2015
Had a chat and drink with Lemmy after recording an episode of The Young Ones years ago. Utterly delightful man. So sorry he's gone.
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) December 29, 2015
Lemmy was a gentleman & a friend.I'll miss our eccentric text conversations.We had that magic when we played together.His legend lives on.DB
— Hawkwind (@HawkwindHQ) December 29, 2015
Lemmy RIP.
— Libertines (@libertines) December 29, 2015
Lemmy was the only man in music who made Keith Richards look like a fan of early nights.
— Tony Parsons (@TonyParsonsUK) December 29, 2015
The spirit of Rock'n'roll.... #lemmy pic.twitter.com/UlSgYvonnN
— Michael Amott (@Michael_Amott) December 29, 2015
Forward in thought, a revolutionary in rock. Lemmy, you will not be forgotten. https://t.co/nunhlh80yH
— Davey Havok (@DaveyHavok) December 29, 2015
had a driver who'd worked for lemmy, said he was crazy about kinder eggs. wouldn't eat the chocolate, but the bus was lined with the toys.
— matthew caws (@nadasurf) December 29, 2015
Lemmy RIP....@myMotorhead my condolences to his family..
— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) December 29, 2015