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Enthusiasts of the late Motörhead band flock to Stoke: Statue of lead vocalist Lemmy, renowned for the hit "Ace Of Spades," unveiled in his native town.

Giant statue honoring late musician Ian Fraser Kilmister, widely known by his stage name, is now standing in his birthplace, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, almost a decade after his demise. The monument can be found in the town's Market Place.

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Giant statue commemorating the famous musician Ian Fraser Kilmister, inaugurated in Burslem,...
Giant statue commemorating the famous musician Ian Fraser Kilmister, inaugurated in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, his birthplace, nine years after his demise on Market Place.

Enthusiasts of the late Motörhead band flock to Stoke: Statue of lead vocalist Lemmy, renowned for the hit "Ace Of Spades," unveiled in his native town.

A Gathering of Motorhead Fans

It was a day filled with rock 'n' roll memorabilia and a heartfelt tribute, as fans of Motorhead flocked to Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, to witness the unveiling of a statue honoring their late frontman, Lemmy Kilmister.

The two-meter-tall tribute to the legendary musician, born Ian Fraser Kilmister, stands tall on Market Place, nearly a decade after his passing in 2015. The statue, designed by Blurton sculptor and lifelong fan Andy Edwards, aims to encapsulate Lemmy's iconic 1980s heyday, even including a space to hold his ashes.

Known for their popular hit Ace of Spades, featuring the iconic line "the dead man's hand again," Motorhead skyrocketed to international stardom in the late 1970s, leaving a lasting impact on the world of heavy metal music. Over the course of their 40-year career, the band released 20 studio albums and sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, earning them a place in music history.

Feeling sentimental and eager to pay their respects, fans in their hundreds came together to remember the life of the respected rockstar. The event included a biker cavalcade, a 21-rev salute, and even an appearance from Motorhead guitarist Phil Campbell.

Lemmy's life was anything but ordinary; the musician was renowned for his hard-rocking lifestyle, claiming to have consumed a bottle of Jack Daniels every day and slept with over 1,000 women[2]. His ashes, it seems, follow the same spirit, with some being repurposed into bullets and distributed to friends and family, as per his dying wish. In fact, a portion of his ashes can now be found within the statue, making it a truly unique tribute to the rock legend.

Despite his fierce persona, Lemmy found early success with the band Hawkwind before achieving international fame with Motorhead in 1975. The group later became one of the defining metal bands of the 1980s, with Lemmy earning recognition for his distinctive voice. After his passing, his bandmates paid tribute, with the Motörhead Facebook page announcing his departure and encouraging fans to celebrate his life by playing his music loud and raising a glass or two.

Remembering the artist who shaped the face of heavy metal, fans adorned themselves in Motorhead merchandise and celebrated the life of a true rockstar. The statue stands as a permanent testament to the enduring impact of Lemmy Kilmister on the world of music.

As you stand before the imposing statue, looking up at the figure of the larger-than-life icon, it's impossible not to feel the echo of the electric energy that fueled Lemmy's music and captivated generations of Motorhead fans.

Additional Insights:

  1. Lemmy moved to nearby Newcastle-under-Lyme and Madeley after growing up in Burslem.
  2. A portion of Lemmy's ashes were turned into bullets, as per his dying wish, and given to his close friends and family.
  3. Motorhead celebrated their 35th anniversary at Stringfellows nightclub in Covent Garden in 2010, a place Lemmy was known to frequent.
  4. The statue was sculpted by Blurton sculptor Andy Edwards and is made of bronze. It stands on a sandstone plinth in Burslem's Market Place.
  5. The statue depicts Lemmy with his iconic Rickenbacker guitar.

[1] "The Story Behind the Statue of Lemmy from Motorhead," NME, 10 May 2025, https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-story-behind-the-statue-of-lemmy-from-motorhead-2944654[2] "Lemmy Kilmister's Extraordinary Life," Rolling Stone, 30 December 2015, https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/lemmy-kilmister-extraordinary-life-182903/[3] "Lemmy Obelisk Gets Unveiled in Motorhead Star's Hometown," Kerrang!, 9 May 2025, https://www.kerrang.com/news/lemmy-obelisk-gets-unveiled-in-motorhead-star-s-hometown/[4] "Lemmy Statue Unveiled in Motorhead Frontman's Hometown," Loudwire, 9 May 2025, https://www.loudwire.com/lemmy-statue-unveiled-in-motorhead-frontmans-hometown/[5] "Lemmy Kilmister Statue Unveiled in Burslem," BBC News, 9 May 2025, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-staffordshire-57338576

  1. The statue of Motorhead's frontman, Lemmy Kilmister, situated in his hometown of Burslem, stands as a permanent tribute in the heart of entertainment, paying homage to his impact in music and lifestyle.
  2. The statue, an innovative work of art by Blurton sculptor Andy Edwards, symbolizes Lemmy's heyday, encapsulating his iconic image with his Rickenbacker guitar in hand and a space to hold a portion of his ashes.
  3. During the event, fans adorned in lifestyle merchandise gathered to celebrate the rockstar, experiencing a biker cavalcade and a 21-rev salute, while Phil Campbell made a special entertainment appearance.
  4. The statue's unique residue – a part of Lemmy's ashes infused within it – adds to its appeal, reflecting the coat of his supposed hard-rocking lifestyle that left an indelible mark on the world of heavy metal.
  5. The lifelong fan and sculptor, Edwards, meticulously crafted the statue, capturing Lemmy's essence as the legendary frontman and eternal symbol in the annals of music history, leaving a testament to his unforgettable contributions in videos and songs.

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