Filthy Facts About Lemmy Kilmister, Motörhead’s Hard-Living Rocker
He Lived Hard, And Bit The Dust Harder
Lemmy Kilmister was the hard-living bassist and vocalist of Motörhead. No one drank more or had a higher body count than this rock star. But his lifestyle came at an unspeakable cost.
1. He Was A Christmas (Eve) Gift
Ian Fraser Kilmister—AKA Lemmy—entered the world on Christmas Eve in 1945, in Stoke-on-Trent. His timing seemed prophetic for someone destined to leave a lasting mark on music—but his beginning was far from auspicious.
2. His Father Abandoned His Family
When Lemmy was just three months old, his father, a former Royal Air Force chaplain, abandoned his family. However, he clearly left an impression on his nascent son—his father had been a concert pianist.
The early separation nevertheless contributed to Lemmy’s independent, rebellious streak.
3. His Mother Remarried
Following his father’s abandonment, Lemmy Kilmister moved around with his mother and grandmother, eventually settling in Madeley. Then when he was 10, his mother remarried George L Willis, a former rugby player.
But it didn’t make Lemmy feel whole.
4. He Hated His New Step-Siblings
Willis, Lemmy’s new stepfather, had two other children from a previous relationship, and it turned the home into a living nightmare. Instead of gaining lifelong companions, Lemmy loathed his new step-siblings—and the feeling was mutual. In fact, he was always on the outside.
