Performance · Other credits
Ian Fraser Kilmister
aka Lemmy Kilmister · also recorded as Lemmy
Burslem, United Kingdom
Ian Fraser Kilmister is credited on 2,214 releases across 560 albums tracked on Gatefold, active 1972–2026 — the collector-built map of who actually made the music.
2,214
Credits
560
Albums
6
Decades active
742
In collections
Biography
English bass guitarist well-known as Lemmy (Born December 24, 1945 Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire, England, died December 28, 2015, Los Angeles, CA). Father of Paul Inder.
Started his career in the band The Rocking Vickers as a guitarist. Lemmy said later on that he was a terrible guitar player. He did not start to play the bass until he joined the english space rock band Hawkwind. The bass guitar came more naturally (and easier) to him.
He was later fired from the band during a U.S tour because of the use of 'wrong' drugs (Speed). But with Hawkwind, he manage to score a hit with 'Silver Machine' which Lemmy provided the vocals.
Not long after Hawkwind. He formed his own band 'Bastard'. But after Lemmy was told by his manager that it would never reach The Top Of The Pops with that name. He changed it to Motörhead, named after the last song he had written with Hawkwind.
The idea was simple. Hard, fast, loud and ferocious Rock'n'roll. A formula which found its way to the ears of bikers and punk crowds. He would remain as the sole original member of Mötorhead until his death.
Lemmy Kilmister was known for being true to his legacy towards the band and himself. Up to his death he never changed the sound or direction of the band. His personal lifestyle was strictly rock 'n' roll attitude, including smoking (He would later stop inhaling), alcohol use which included a full bottle of Jack Daniel's daily since he was 30, and excess use of Speed (amphetamine).
After 40 years of service in Motörhead, he was one of the most respected rock musician on the scene.
He was known for his use of Rickenbacker 4004 model bass on stage for the majority of his career, and his towering stance with the microphone raised high at a downwards angle.
Off-stage he was known for his honesty, which was reflected through the countless interviews he did during his career with Motörhead. Behind the rock'n'roll exterior, he was a humble, well spoken of and also a caring, person.
He was also well-read on history, especially with an emphasis on World War II. This led to a hobby as a collector of WWII artifacts. He would later become an officially registered collector for his accumulation over the years. He owned a Hetzer tank hunter.
During his career. He took part in certain historical events such as seeing The Beatles perform at the Cavern Club in Liverpool before they gained world fame.
He was also a roadie for Jimi Hendrix around 1967-68.
He moved to Los Angeles, California in 1990 where he remained until his death.
After finishing the European leg of the "Bad Magic" tour with Motörhead. Lemmy Kilmister died in his sleep, just two days after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer to his brain region. This came only 4 days after his 70th birthday. His memorial service and the celebration of his life took place at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood on 9 January 2016. The service was streamed live over YouTube.
Bio from Discogs
Credited work
2,214 releases · 560 albums · active 1972–2026
- Performance · 4,581
- Other credits · 125
- Production · 10
- Engineering · 6
Studios: Olympic Studios · Roundhouse Studios · Jackson Studios · Sound Development Studios
Discography
Records they worked on — most-collected first.

Load
1996

Garage Inc.
1998

Ace Of Spades
1980

No More Tears
1991

Overkill
1979

Arise
1991

Motörhead
1977

No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith
1981

Bomber
1979

Iron Fist
1982

No Remorse
1984

Vanishing Point
1997

Orgasmatron
1986

Another Perfect Day
1983

Memoirs Of A Madman
2014

Hall Of The Mountain Grill
1974

Ozzmosis
1995

1916
1991

Slash
2010

Warrior On The Edge Of Time
1975

The Ozzman Cometh
1997

On Parole
1979

The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (Music From The Movie And More...)
2004

The Decline Of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
1988
Frequent collaborators
Around the web
See who really made the music.
Gatefold maps every producer, engineer, and player across your shelf — the credits no one else surfaces.
Start your shelf →Free forever. Works with 10 records or 10,000.
