Lemmy Kilmister, the iconic frontman of the British rock band Motorhead, passed away on December 28, 2015, at the age of 70. He had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer just two days earlier, on his birthday. His death shocked and saddened millions of fans and fellow musicians around the world, who paid tribute to his legacy and influence. But what exactly caused his death and how did he cope with his illness? Here is a brief overview of Lemmy’s cause of death and his final days.
Prostate Cancer: The Official Cause of Death
According to Lemmy’s death certificate, the official cause of death was prostate cancer, along with cardiac arrhythmia and congestive heart failure. Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that affects the prostate gland, which is part of the male reproductive system. It is one of the most common cancers among men, especially older men. Prostate cancer can cause various symptoms, such as difficulty urinating, blood in urine or semen, pain in the lower back or pelvis, and erectile dysfunction. However, some men may not have any symptoms at all.
Prostate cancer can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy, depending on the stage and aggressiveness of the cancer. However, some forms of prostate cancer are very fast-growing and resistant to treatment. This seems to be the case for Lemmy, who was unaware of his condition until it was too late.
A Terminal Diagnosis: Lemmy’s Last Days
Lemmy had been struggling with various health issues in the years leading up to his death. He had diabetes, a hematoma, and a defibrillator implanted in his chest to regulate his heart rhythm. He also suffered from a lung infection in 2015, which forced him to cancel some tour dates. Despite these challenges, he continued to perform and record with Motorhead until the end.
Lemmy learned that he had terminal cancer on December 26, 2015, two days after his 70th birthday. He was told that he had only two to six months to live. He decided to spend his remaining time at home in Los Angeles with his family and close friends. He also asked his fans to play his music loud and celebrate his life.
Lemmy died peacefully at home on December 28, 2015, surrounded by his loved ones. His bandmates announced his death on their Facebook page, saying: “Our mighty, noble friend Lemmy has passed away 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.”
A Rock Icon: Lemmy’s Legacy
Lemmy was born Ian Fraser Kilmister in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, in 1945. He grew up in Anglesey, Wales, where he acquired the nickname Lemmy1. He started his musical career in Manchester, before moving to London. He worked as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix and played in several bands, including Hawkwind and Opal Butterfly.
He formed Motorhead in 1975 and became the only constant member of the band. He recorded 22 albums with Motorhead, including classics like Ace of Spades, Overkill, and Bomber. He also collaborated with many other artists, such as Ozzy Osbourne, Slash, Dave Grohl, and Metallica.
Lemmy was known for his distinctive voice, fast and furious bass playing, and rebellious attitude. He influenced many genres of music, such as heavy metal, punk rock, thrash metal, and speed metal. He was also famous for his wild lifestyle, involving drugs, alcohol, women, and gambling.
Lemmy was widely respected and admired by his peers and fans. He received many awards and honors for his contribution to music and culture. He was also featured in several documentaries and films about his life and career.
Lemmy’s death marked the end of an era for rock music. However, his spirit lives on through his music and legacy. As he once said: “I don’t want people to mourn for me when I’m gone; I want them to have a drink or two or ten or whatever they want.”
