Motörhead lead singer Lemmy Kilmister dies at 70

Lemmy Kilmister.
(Image credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister, the lead singer of the iconic British heavy metal band Motörhead, died Monday, just days after he learned he had cancer. He was 70.

On Facebook, Motörhead announced that Kilmister found out he had an "extremely aggressive" form of cancer on Dec. 26, and died at home. The band asked that fans "play Lemmy's music LOUD. Have a drink or few. Share stories. Celebrate the LIFE this lovely, wonderful man celebrated so vibrantly himself." He was also remembered by Ozzy Osbourne, who tweeted: "Lost one of my best friends, Lemmy, today. He will be sadly missed. He was a warrior and a legend. I will see you on the other side."

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Catherine Garcia, The Week US

Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.