Some of the biggest names in rock’n’roll have paid tribute to late Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister at a memorial service in Los Angeles.
Held at the Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery, Kilmister’s funeral was streamed live on YouTube and featured esteemed guests like Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash, Judas Priest singer Rob Halford, Anthrax frontman Scott Ian and Metallica’s Lars Ulrich and Robert Trujillo.
Many of the guests shared their memories of Kilmister, who died last month aged 70, including Grohl, who cried as he told of not having the chance to give Kilmister a signed photo of Little Richard for his birthday.
“He was my hero, he’s the one true rock ‘n’ roller but also someone who set such a great example because he was so kind to everyone,” Grohl said (via AAP).
Slash told mourners he felt “honoured” to have been Lemmy’s mate, describing the rocker as having “more integrity in one finger than a whole roomful of rock ‘n’ rollers”.
“He lived his life the way he wanted to,” Slash said. “His music and personality will last forever.”
Anthrax’s Scott Ian concluded his speech by saying, “Lemmy, it was you who taught us that we could be fucking real. Thank you.”
Kilmister’s son, Paul Inder, spoke of his father’s desire to perform despite bad health, and how he had found solace in spirituality.
“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,” Inder said (via BBC). “Travel well, my dear father. You are back out on the road for a longest tour to the great gig in the sky.”
The chapel where Kilmister’s service was held saw a photo of Motörhead displayed at the front, along with guitar amps, Kilmister’s boots and an urn shaped like his trademark black-brimmed hat.
At the end of the service, Kilmister’s bass guitar was plugged into a stack of amplifiers and the volume turned up so that feedback filled the chapel, which led the congregation to applaud and many watching at home to think it’s exactly how Kilmister would have liked his send-off to end.
It’s unclear if all the footage from the service will be uploaded to YouTube, but a selection of clips, speeches and recent tributes can be seen below.
Watch: Dave Grohl Speaks At Lemmy Kilmister’s Funeral (10/01/16)
Watch: Rob Halford Speaks At Lemmy Kilmister’s Funeral (10/01/16)
https://youtu.be/WM-nkqlRlNE
Watch: Scott Ian Speaks At Lemmy Kilmister’s Funeral (10/01/16)
https://youtu.be/a6QxcW86KaY
https://twitter.com/KristNovoselic/status/686066402160017408
Can't believe I'll never see Lemmy again. See you on the other side,my friend.
— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) January 10, 2016
Dave Grohl emotional at end of Lemmy service. @MyMotorhead #LemmyRIP. Now let's have a drink in his memory/play something loud. @foofighters
— Mark Beech (@Mark_Beech) January 10, 2016
An outlaw and a gentleman.
We love you, Lemmy. pic.twitter.com/hv0sGYSdUR— Robert Trujillo (@RobertTrujillo) January 10, 2016
