Ian Fraser Kilmister
(December,24th 1945 – December,28th 2015),
better known as
Lemmy Kilmister
or simply
Lemmy,
was an
English musician.
He was the founder,
lead vocalist,
bassist
and primary
songwriter
of the rock band
of which he
was the
only continuous member,
and a member of
Hawkwind
from
1971 to 1975.
A foundational force
in the genre
following the advent
of the new wave of
British heavy metal,
Lemmy was known fo
r his appearance,
which included his
signature friendly
mutton chops,
his military-influenced
fashion sense
and his gravelly
rasp of a voice.
It was once declared
"one of the most recognisable
voices in rock".
He was also noted
for his unique
posture when singing,
which was once
described as
"looking up towards a
towering microphone
tilted down into
his weather-beaten face".
He was also known for
his bass playing style,
using his Rickenbacker bass
to create an
"overpowered,
distorted rhythmic rumble".
A notable aspect
of his bass sound
was his
guitar-like riffing,
often playing
power chords
using heavily
overdriven tube stacks
by Marshall.
Lemmy was born in
Stoke-on-Trent
and grew up
between there,
the nearby towns of
Newcastle-under-Lyme
and Madeley,
and later in
the village of
Benllech, Anglesey, Wales.
At a later point,
Lemmy remembers
living briefly at
Gwrych Castle,
Abergele.
He was influenced by
rock and roll
and the early works of
the Beatles,
which led to him playing
in several rock groups
in the 1960s,
such as
the Rockin' Vickers.
He worked as a
roadie for
Jimi Hendrix
and
the Nice
before joining
the space rock band
Hawkwind in 1971,
singing lead vocals
on their hit
"Silver Machine".
