Lemmy’s ashes placed behind bar in iconic London stripclub for a ‘good view’-Asyia Iftikhar-Entertainment – Metro

Motorhead bandmate Phil Campbell paid tribute to Lemmy after his ashes were placed at the London bar (Picture: Maja Smiejkowska/PA Wire)

Late Motorhead frontman Ian ‘Lemmy’ Kilmister‘s ashes have been laid to rest at his favourite London stripclub, Stringfellows.

The legendary singer and bassist died in December 2015 aged 70 just days after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, alongside various health issues.

Since then, his ashes have been scattered around the world including his favourite festival locations and with close friends and family.

Now one of his urns (shaped like his trademark cavalry hat) has been installed behind Stringfellows’ bar in Covent Garden where he was a ‘regular’, as per the rocker’s will.

His bandmate, and guitarist, Phil Campbell was there to witness the auspicious moment on Wednesday after travelling over from his home in Wales.

‘He’d love it,’ Campbell told the PA news agency. The music artist himself wears a bullet with some of Lemmy’s ashes around his neck.

Lemmy was a regular at the London club (Picture: Future)

Lemmy’s ashes are scattered around the world in tribute to his wandering spirit (Picture: Maja Smiejkowska/PA Wire)

‘He’s going to have a good view, so it’s a great place to put some of his ashes to rest in London in Stringfellows, especially because he really enjoyed going there when he had a night off.

‘Even when we were practising, in rehearsals, he’d be there ordering cabs to Stringfellows, I heard him many times.’

He added: ‘We’re just paying our honour to Lem really, putting him in places where he likes to be, and people can raise a toast to him every time they’re there, or have a chat with him or whatever.

‘He was always a good listener.’

Phil recalled how during Lemmy’s illness they ‘never spoke about it’ and ‘always talked about the next album or next tour’ instead.

‘It was a shock, it happened so sudden,’ he admitted.

In a speech during the evening’s festivities, the Ace of Spades hitmaker explained that this latest urn installment was part of the Lemmy Forever! movement.

As posted to Motorhead’s official Instagram page, he explained: ‘[The movement] dedicated to remembering and honouring the fantastic legacy of a guy who was so revered and so unique and loved by so many people worldwide.

He was always raring to go to Stringfellows (Picture: Future)

Phil and Lemmy’s son Marcus both made speeches during the poignant event (Picture: Maja Smiejkowska/PA Wire)

The urn is a replica of the one buried at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Hollywood in 2016 (Picture: Maja Smiejkowska/PA Wire)

Bandmate Phil called Lemmy ‘so revered’ in a speech (Picture: Maja Smiejkowska/PA Wire)

‘I don’t think Lem would have wanted to be put in a box and just sat there. He loved the road, we loved being on the tour bus. He loved travelling and loved meeting people from all walks of life.’

Phil then paid tribute to the band’s legacy saying that Motorhead’s music will ‘live forever’ and promised ‘more fun and celebratory things’ happening next year.

The event was a true ode to the band with Motorhead rum and beer served alongside Lemmy’s favourite meal, pizza. A heartfelt speech was also delivered by Motorhead drummer Mikkey Dee, through his son Marcus.

This is just a testament to Lemmy (and Motorheads) widespread impact on the music industry and its devoted fanbase.

The trailblazing rock band was formed in 1975, co-founded by Lemmy and his former bandmates Larry Wallis, and Lucas Fox.

The band is behind hits such as Golden Years, Overkill and Please Don’t Touch. In 2005, the band won a Grammy for best metal performance for Whiplash.

Stringfellows is just the latest in a series of places where Lemmy’s ashes have been scattered. Earlier this year an urn was placed in West Hollywood’s rock n’ roll bar Rainbow Bar and Grill.

The rock pioneer has also been scattered at the Rock City venue in Nottingham and the Derbyshire-based metal festival, Bloodstock.

The band has had huge influence over the rock scene since it was formed in 1975 (Picture: Motorhead)

As well as at the Wacken Open Air Festival in northern Germany where the band has played several times over the years.

At the time festival co-organiser Thomas Jensen said: ‘Lemmy coming back to Wacken is an enormous honour for us – words can hardly express how enormous. We will create a place of remembrance for him that does justice to his significance for an entire genre and beyond.

‘There has always been a special connection between Motörhead and Wacken Open Air; hardly any band has played here more often. The fact that his journey also ends here will forever hold a special meaning.’

In 2021, Motörhead’s tour manager and production assistant Eddie Rocha and Emma Cederblad also included a tribute to him in their tattoos by having his ashes mixed into the pot of tattoo ink.

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