Motörhead concluded their remarkable journey with a poignant performance on December 11, 2015, in Berlin, Germany. This show, unwittingly, turned into a historic farewell, as only days after the concert, the band’s charismatic frontman, Lemmy Kilmister, passed away. Lemmy’s departure marked the end of an era, and the band dissolved, an announcement made by their drummer, Mikkey Dee.
Their final concert was a collection of 16 of the band’s most iconic tracks, including hits like “When The Sky Comes Looking For You,” “Stay Clean,” “Bomber,” and “Overkill.” Curiously, this performance wasn’t meant to be their last. The band had planned a brief hiatus following the Berlin show and hadn’t anticipated it as their swan song. Originally, their tour was set to continue until February 2016, but this plan was regrettably scrapped.
Lemmy’s health had been ailing due to various ailments, causing the cancellation of several 2015 shows in August, September, and November. Struggling with prostate cancer, diabetes, and hematoma, Lemmy’s resilience was evident, even as he faced these challenges. In an interview with The Guardian, he stoically remarked, “Apparently I am still indestructible.”
In a conversation with Classic Rock, Lemmy openly embraced the inevitability of death, a perspective that deepened with age. He calmly stated, “Death is an inevitability, isn’t it? You become more aware of that when you get to my age. I don’t worry about it. I’m ready for it. When I go, I want to go doing what I do best. If I died tomorrow, I couldn’t complain. It’s been good.”
Yet, fate took its course, and Lemmy’s passing occurred just days after Motörhead’s Berlin performance, on December 28, due to prostate cancer, cardiac arrhythmia, and congestive heart failure. The news revealed that Lemmy’s diagnosis had come a mere two days before his demise. Sadly, he never had the chance to share this diagnosis publicly, a plan he had considered for early 2016.
Following Lemmy’s departure, Motörhead made the painful decision to conclude their journey. The band was in the midst of their 40th-anniversary tour when Lemmy left a void that couldn’t be filled. They chose not to continue without their iconic frontman and vocalist. Despite this, their music’s legacy will forever reverberate among their devoted fans.
Mikkey Dee, the band’s drummer, conveyed this decision, emphasizing that the flame ignited by Motörhead would endure. Speaking to Expressen, he expressed, “We will not be doing any more tours or anything. And there will not be any more records. But the fire survives, and Lemmy lives on in the hearts of everyone.”
Reflecting on Lemmy’s final days, Mikkey Dee shared that the frontman had exhibited undeniable fatigue. Lemmy invested every ounce of energy into his performances, leaving him utterly drained afterward. The fact that he could complete the European tour only 20 days before his passing was nothing short of incredible.
Mikkey Dee further reflected, “It feels fantastic that we were able to complete the tour with him. It’s heartening that we didn’t cancel because of Lemmy. I’m incredibly grateful for the years we’ve had and the joy we experienced together.”
The legacy of Lemmy and Motörhead will undoubtedly linger, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music.
