'He really is a god': Lemmy statue unveiled in Stoke-on-Trent
The statue of Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister was unveiled to the world to cheers from hundreds in Burslem town centre today.
Mötorhead fans descended on his hometown on Friday afternoon for the official unveiling ceremony – Lemmy Forever Stoke-on-Trent.
The statue has been crafted by acclaimed local sculptor and lifelong Motörhead fan Andy Edwards and he captures Lemmy in his iconic pose with his bass guitar.
Some had travelled for miles to be at the unveiling ceremony – others yards.
Bernie Potts, from Burslem, lives approximately 300 yards from the statue and will have a view of it every time he leaves his house.
Bernie said: "It's brilliant to see so many people here, I love it.
"I was a Mötorhead fan, not a massive one, but I liked them and I shall be seeing the statue every morning when I go out.
"I didn't get to go in on the day Mötorhead were playing at Vale Park in 1981 – I was in the pub down the road – so seeing this is great."
The musician, once described as having 'one of the most recognisable voices in rock', was born Ian Fraser Kilmister in Burslem.
He joined the band Hawkwind in 1971, but after being arrested for drug possession and being sacked, he became a founding member of Motörhead in 1975 - which he led for decades until his death in 2015.
His statue was funded by the Kilmister estate and is inspired by Lemmy's performance with Motörhead at the Heavy Metal Holocaust festival at Vale Park in 1981.
At the ceremony, fans cheered to a speech from Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell who placed Lemmy's ashes inside the statue after arriving in a biker motorcade.
Decades-long Mötorhead fan, Garry Davies, travelled from Swindon to visit Burslem for the first time for the Lemmy Forever ceremony.
He said: "I didn't think there would be this many people, it is incredible.
"It's good to see a statue of him in his hometown because it's something to remember the man by because he really was a god."
Bob Cartlidge, from Biddulph, worked as a HGV driver on Mötorhead's UK tours and has been a fan of the band for 50 years.
Bob said: "In the mid-70s I worked for them driving the equipment for around two and a half years.
"We were very happy when they said it was going to be there and to be honest, we have missed him since he died.
"He's iconic and he deserves it really."
Lord Mayor, Cllr Lyn Sharpe also took to the stage before the unveiling along with the leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Cllr Jane Ashworth.
Cllr Sharpe said: "It's absolutely wonderful. What a day and what a turnout. There are lots of Stokies here but also people from all over the world - I've just met a girl from the Netherlands.
"I've just spoken to a family from Stourbridge, which I know isn't far, but they never would have come to Burslem if it wasn't for the Lemmy statue.
"It's a great statue and the detail is amazing."
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