Motörhead Plans Lemmy Tribute Concerts

Andreas Lawen – Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister:
Live on stage at Rock am Ring 2015

Phil Campbell, Motörhead’s former guitarist, confirmed plans for a series of concerts in memory of the band’s late front man Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister – and the band itself.

Speaking on Mitch Lafon’s Rock Talk podcast about the tribute gigs, Campbell said: “It’s on the cards, but it’s just going to be a few select shows. We’re not going to be touring with it.”

When asked whether special guests would be involved – Lafon suggested James Hetfield or Dave Grohl – he said “we’re trying to get these people involved,” without revealing who exactly. “We’ll just do some special shows worldwide, which will be good, a tribute to Lem and to the band.

“It wouldn’t be an ongoing thing, because everyone’s too busy. But we’ll do something special. We’re still trying to work on that now,” he continued. Details are scarce, a source with knowledge of the matter told Pollstar: “Plans are in the works for something pretty big.”

Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister passed away on Dec. 28, 2015, at the age of 70. The surviving members Campbell and Mikkey Dee were adamant that “Motörhead is over,” ruling out a continuation of the band with a different leader.

The band cancelled its scheduled appearance at Download Festival 2016, and has remained dormant since Kilmister’s passing. Kilmister was the last remaining member of what is widely considered Motörhead’s classic lineup, which also included former guitarist Edward “Fast Eddie” Clarke, who died on Jan. 11 this year aged 67, and former drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor, who died only about a month before Kilmister in 2015.