Rock stars lead tributes to Motorhead's Lemmy at funeral service

Paying tribute: Ozzy and Sharon Osborne attend the service in LA
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Robin de Peyer10 January 2016

Rock's biggest names turned out to pay tribute to Motorhead frontman Lemmy at a star-studded Hollywood funeral.

A tearful Dave Grohl, Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash and Metallica members Lars Ulrich and Robert Trujillo, took turns to share their memorable experiences with the star, who died last month just days after he turned 70.

The memorial service, held at the Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Los Angeles, was broadcast live on YouTube and watched by more than 280,000 Motorhead fans around the world.

Former Nirvana drummer Grohl sobbed as he told how he wanted to give his friend a photo of Little Richard, signed by the rock "n roll pioneer, to him on his birthday but missed the chance.

He said: "He was my hero, he's the one true rock 'n' roller," adding: "What everyone in this room has learned today is that Lemmy was not only that badass-looking, whiskey drinking, badass mother f***ing rock star, but he had the biggest heart and he set such a great example because he was so kind to everyone."

The British rocker, whose real name was Ian Kilmister, was best known as the only continuous member of Motorhead as the band’s lead singer and bass guitarist.

Tributes: Motorhead singer Lemmy died days after being diagnosed with cancer
Yui Mok/PA Wire

He had suffered failing health since August last year and was diagnosed with an extremely aggressive form of cancer on Boxing Day, just 48 hours before he died.

His son, Paul Inder, 48, led the eulogies and described his father's determination to keep performing despite his worsening condition and how he sought solace in his spirituality in his final days.

He said: "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."

The service, which began shortly after 11pm GMT, saw relatives, friends and employees recount anecdotes, most peppered with expletives and references to his drug and alcohol-fuelled lifestyle.

Raucous: A Motorhead fan named 'Handlebar' during a memorial in LA
Getty

Slash told the gathered mourners he felt "honoured" to have been good friends with the musician who had "more integrity in one finger than a whole roomful of rock 'n' rollers".

Lemmy was born in Burslem, Staffordshire in 1945 and joined Hawkwind in 1971, although he was fired four years later after a drugs arrest.

He went on to form Motorhead in 1975 and remained active as their frontman until his death, with tour dates scheduled for this year.

His son said he had been "devastated" by the death of former bandmate Phil Taylor in November last year.

Paying tribute: Dave Grohl with the late Lemmy Kilmister
Frazer Harrison/Getty

Motorhead's manager Todd Singerman revealed the band's guitarist, Phil Campbell, could not make the memorial service, but had sent his own token of remembrance.

He said: "He [Campbell] made sure there's a line down there and that's supposed to be speed for Lemmy, he made sure he had a mirror and the whole bit so ... do it up Lem."

Mikkey Dee, drummer for the three-piece, said in reference to frontman's excesses: "Try to take it easier on the other side Lemmy."

Those who gave tributes also included Judas Priest singer Rob Halford and WWE wrestler Triple H.

Meanwhile in Holloway, north London, British fans gathered at the Wig and Gown pub to pay their respects and watch the ceremony broadcast.

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