Guns N' Roses' Duff McKagan reveals he also received Lemmy's ashes in a bullet
He's among the close friends who were sent the ashes
Last updated 21st Dec 2023
Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan has revealed in his Planet Rock show that he was among Lemmy’s friends who received the late Motörhead legend’s ashes in a bullet.
In March 2021, over five years after Lemmy’s untimely death aged 70, it was revealed that, in accordance with Lemmy’s wishes, a select group of his closest acquaintances were being sent his ashes in a bullet housed inside a display case.
Among those who have publicly revealed they received Lemmy’s ashes are Judas Priest singer Rob Halford, retired tennis player Pat Cash, Ugly Kid Joe’s Whitfield Crane, Doro Pesch, former Headbangers Ball host Riki Rachtman, and ex-Hanoi Rocks singer Michael Monroe.
In June 2022, Michael Monroe shared his letter accompanying the bullet, which read: "Michael, We all know Lemmy knew many people, but had few that he considered friends and even fewer that he considered family. Being that you are one of those people he considered family, we would like to share a little piece of him with you.
"Lemmy touched all of our lives in a way I don't think any of us could ever forget, but with these ashes you keep not only the memories you have, you keep Lemmy with you forever.
"He was Lemmy. He Played Rock 'n' Roll. Don't Forget Him."
In the latest episode of their Planet Rock show Three Chords & The Truth, Duff McKagan and his wife Susan Holmes McKagan revealed that they also have some of Lemmy’s ashes at their home.
After playing Dave Grohl, Lemmy and Billy Gibbons’ cover of ‘Run Rudolph Run’, Susan said: “Dave is a good friend of ours, and a friend of us all. We also want to take a special moment to mention Lemmy Kilmister (who) passed a few years back on December 28th. Long live Lemmy, we love you.”
Duff added: “Lemmy lives forever. (He was) a good friend of (Dave) Grohl. We got a little tie in there. They did music together, they did Probot together as well.”
Susan continued: “You got to play The Grammys with Johnny Depp and Joe Perry (Hollywood Vampires’ 2016 tribute to Lemmy).”
“Listen, I’m an honorary Motörhead member!” Duff replied.
“That’s right,” Susan said. “We actually have some of his ashes here with us. He will never leave our hearts. ”
Listen to Three Chords & The Truth:
You can listen to the episode of Duff McKagan and Susan Homes McKagan’s Three Chords & The Truth show on Planet Rock this Saturday night (23rd December) from 7pm.
Lemmy – The Motörhead and Hawkwind legend's life in photos:
Lemmy's Childhood
Ian Fraser Kilmister was born on 24th December 1945 in the Burslem area of Stoke-on-Trent (pictured). After his father, Sydney, separated from his mum Jessie when Lemmy was three months old, he moved to Newcastle-under-Lyme and later to Madeley. Aged 10, Lemmy settled in the Welsh village of Benllech with his mum and her new husband, former rugby player George L. Willis.
Lemmy's secondary school
From the mid-1950s, Lemmy attended Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones comprehensive school in Anglesey where he acquired his 'Lemmy' nickname. Commenting on his school life, Lemmy told WalesOnline in 2015: "Funnily enough, being the only English kid among 700 Welsh ones didn't make for the happiest time – but it was interesting from an anthropological point of view."
Lemmy's first hero Little Richard
At school, Lemmy discovered rock n' roll music and decided to take up music himself after seeing a guitar-playing pupil "surrounded by chicks." His heroes in the late 1950s included Billy Fury, Marti Wilde, Johnny Kidd and the Pirates, Elvis and Little Richard. He said of Little Richard: "It's Little Richard's fault, all of it. Little Richard is directly responsible for Motörhead. I heard (1958 single) 'Good Golly, Mrs. Molly' and that was the end of it."
The Beatles at The Cavern Club
Lemmy's real epiphany moment came when, aged 16, he witnessed his idols The Beatles performing at The Cavern Club in Liverpool in 1961. Following the"f---ing tremendous" performance, Lemmy became a keen Beatles aficionado. He told NME in 2010: "The Beatles changed the world, they really did. I mean, the generation that was with them, which includes me, we believed that we could make the world better."
Lemmy joins The Rocking' Vickers
Having relocated to North West England, Lemmy cut his gigging teeth playing guitar with The Rainmakers and The Motown Sect before he joined his first 'proper' band, Blackpool rock and rollers The Rockin' Vickers in 1965. The Rockin' Vickers achieved modest success in Finland, and they released three UK singles with Lemmy in their ranks, including a cover of The Kinks' 'Dandy.'
Lemmy becomes Jimi Hendrix's roadie
After first witnessing Jimi Hendrix in live action at the Blackpool Opera House in April 1967, Lemmy moved to London later that year and became his roadie. He witnessed Hendrix performing live twice a night for three months. Lemmy said: "The only guy I knew in London shared a place with Noel Redding and he was part of Hendrix's road crew and they go out on tour and I was humping gear and they were doing 'Axis Bold As Love'. It was amazing. Hendrix was an original. There has never been anything like him since and certainly not before."
Lemmy joins Sam Gopal
Lemmy moved into psychedelic sonic realms when he joined Sam Gopal in 1968 as their vocalist and guitarist. The London band were managed by Cream and Bee Gees manager Robert Stigwood and they released one studio album, 'Escalator', in 1969. Lemmy appears as Ian Willis on the record, as he was considering changing his surname to that of his stepfather George Willis. In 1969, Lemmy met his future Hawkwind band mate Simon King in a record shop. The drummer successfully persuaded Lemmy to join his Oxfordshire-based psychedelic outfit Opal Butterfly, however the group split the following year.
Lemmy becomes a member of Hawkwind
In August 1971, two months before they released their second studio album 'In Search of Space', Lemmy joined psychedelic space rock outfit Hawkwind. Originally set to become a second guitarist, Lemmy started playing bass when the band's usual player failed to turn up for a charity gig in Notting Hill. Lemmy remarked years later: "Their bass player was pretty much saying 'please steal my gig!' So, I stole his gig."
Lemmy hones his bass playing in Hawkwind
Previously a rhythm guitarist, Lemmy honed his trademark bass sound with Hawkwind. He told Classic Rock Magazine in 2014: "I really found myself as an instrumentalist in Hawkwind. Before that I was just a guitar player who was pretending to be good, when actually I was no good at all. In Hawkwind I became a good bass player. It was where I learned I was good at something."
Hawkwind release 'Silver Machine'
Penned by vocalist Robert Calvert and guitarist Dave Brock's wife Sylvia McManus, Hawkind's 1972 single 'Silver Machine' became a Number 3 hit upon its release and it remains the band's most popular anthem, commercially at least. Calvert sang lead vocals on the original version, however the band considered it weak and Lemmy was drafted in to sing on the new recording. Reflecting upon the first version, Lemmy said decades later: "It sounded like Captain Kirk reading 'Blowing in the Wind'. They tried everybody singing it except me. Then, as a last shot, Douglas (Smith) said, 'Try Lemmy'. And I did it in one take or two." Calvert, who was sectioned at the time of the re-record, was "not pleased" when he found out.
Lemmy is fired by Hawkwind
Lemmy recorded three studio albums with Hawkwind – 'Doremi Fasol Latido' (1972), 'Hall of the Mountain Grill' (1974) and 'Warrior on the Edge of Time' (1975). He was fired from the band a day before the release of 'Warrior on the Edge of Time' after he was caught in possession of drugs crossing the border from the US into Canada. Police wrongly thought the drug was speed and, after a short time behind bars, Lemmy was released. Despite the mix-up, Hawkwind ousted him for his erratic behaviour. He later remarked: "(Hawkwind) dismissed me for doing the wrong drugs."
Lemmy forms Motörhead
Now a free agent, Lemmy decided formed a new band in 1975 with the sole ambition of them becoming "the dirtiest rock'n'roll band in the world. If you moved in next door, your lawn would die." After being wisely advised that 'Bastard' was an unsuitable moniker, Lemmy named his band Motörhead after the final song he penned and recorded with Hawkwind, 'Motorhead', which appeared as a B-side to 'Kings of Speed.' The first incarnation of Motörhead featured guitarist Larry Wallis (formerly of Pink Fairies) and drummer Lucas Fox alongside Lemmy.
Motörhead's classic line-up is born
Signed to United Artists, Lemmy and his Motörhead band mates decamped to Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales in late 1976 to record their debut album. Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor was recruited as the new drummer midway through the sessions. The album was shelved by their record label but it was later released as 'On Parole' in 1979. A month after they left Monmouth, Lemmy decided to expand Motörhead to a four-piece and recruited Taylor's friend "Fast" Eddie Clarke as a second guitarist. However, Larry Wallis swiftly quit to return to Pink Fairies and the 'classic' Motörhead line-up of Lemmy, Clarke and Taylor was born.
The Three Amigos
Lemmy recorded five studio albums with the classic "Three Amigos" line-up of Motörhead – 'Motörhead' (1977), 'Overkill' (1979), 'Bomber' (1979), 'Ace of Spades' (1980) and 'Iron Fist' (1982) – and achieved considerable success. His guttural growl and pummelling bass playing was integral to Motörhead's unique sound alongside "Fast" Eddie Clarke searing guitars and Filthy's animalistic drums.
Motörhead's debut album and Snaggletooth
The "classic" Motörhead line-up didn't get off to a good start, however. Just a few months after hiring "Fast" Eddie Clarke, the skint band decided to call it quits after playing a farewell show at the Marquee Club in London on 1st April. Lemmy's friend Ted Carroll, who hosted the Marquee Club gig, persuaded the band to spend two days at Escape Studios in Kent to record a single with producer John "Speedy" Keen. They ended up recording eight songs and debut album 'Motörhead' was released through Carroll's imprint on Chiswick Records on 12th August 1977. The album also introduced Motörhead's mascot Snaggletooth to the world.
Lemmy at Reading Festival in 1979
Lemmy pulling his signature move by holding his bass like a gun at Reading Festival on 24th August 1979. Alongside two appearances on Top of the Pops, a John Peel session, and their rapturously received Bomber tour, the Reading slot was a pivotal moment in Motörhead's ascendency at the end of the decade.
Lemmy saves The Damned
In 1976, Lemmy joined forces with The Damned's Captain Sensible and Rat Scabies and they played a concert as Les Punks. Three years later, he recorded an EP and played a handful of gigs with the same musicians as The Doomed. Captain Sensible credits Lemmy with saving The Damned, saying: "Without Lemmy and his encouragement, I don't think we would have gone on. But he had another band to do, so he couldn't do it full-time. Lemmy was a great man – a real charmer, an absolute gentleman. But he always reserved the right to be as f---ing rude as necessary if the occasion demanded it!"
Motörhead unleash 'Ace of Spades'
In October 1980, Motörhead unleashed their legendary single 'Ace of Spades'. A track that propelled Motörhead to global fame, the rip-snorting speed metal anthem opens with a frenetic bass intro from Lemmy before his trademark guttural growl takes centre stage. Despite widely being regarded as one of Motörhead's defining anthems, Lemmy said in 2000: ""I don't see the song that way at all. I believe we've done our best work since Eddie left the band in 1982."
Motörhead on Top of the Pops
A dapper suited and booted Lemmy backstage at Top of the Pops in London in February 1981 where Headgirl – a collaboration between Motörhead and Girlschool – performed their cover of Johnny Kidd & the Pirates' 'Please Don't Touch.' Motörhead appeared on Top of the Pops numerous times in the late 70s and early 80s.
Lemmy with Snaggletooth
Lemmy posing with Motörhead's fearsome mascot Snaggletooth at a London photoshoot in 1982.
Lemmy in 1982
Lemmy pictured in Chalk Farm, London in the summer of 1982. Earlier that year Motörhead released their fifth album 'Iron Fist', their final release with the classic Three Amigos line-up.
Motörhead appear on The Young Ones
Lemmy appeared on the Bambi episode of anarchic BBC comedy The Young Ones in 1984. Motörhead performed 'Ace of Spades' in the delapidated student house with their newly recruited guitarists Würzel and Phil Campbell, while Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor departed the group shortly afterwards.
Lemmy at Hammersmith Odeon
Lemmy in his imperious live glory at London's Hammersmith Odeon in 1984. Three years earlier, Motörhead released their legendary live album recorded at the same venue, 'No Sleep 'til Hammersmith', which debuted at Number 1 on the UK album chart.
Lemmy in 1984
Lemmy strapped to a fake electric chair during a photo session for the 'Killed By Death' single in Pimlico, London in July 1984.
Lemmy the deranged bishop
Three decades before Papa Emeritus and Ghost arrived on the scene, Lemmy posed as a deranged bishop in a Motörhead photoshoot in the mid-80s.
Lemmy and his friend Samantha Fox
Lemmy with his close friend, glamour model Samantha Fox in 1985. Paying tribute to Lemmy following his death in 2015, Fox told Metal Hammer: "When my dad died Lemmy wrote me a beautiful poem; it was like two pages of A4 paper. He read it to me and it made me cry so much. I said, 'Lemmy, stop it now, stop it now.' He had this full-on rock'n'roll persona but he was a real softie and could write some beautiful poetry. When my dad died he said, 'Don't worry, Sam, when you get married I'll walk you up the aisle.' How great would that have been? But that marriage never happened!"
Lemmy in 1988
Lemmy on stage with Motörhead in New York City in 1988. The band were touring their eighth album 'Rock 'n' Roll.'
Lemmy moves to Los Angeles
Lemmy proudly clutching one of his beloved Rickenbacker bass guitars in Los Angeles. Lemmy moved to Los Angeles in 1990 and stayed there until his death.
Lemmy on stage in 1991
Ian 'Lemmy' Kilmister performs onstage with Motörhead at the World Music Theater in Tinley Park, Illinois on 20th July 1991.
Lemmy's memorabilia
Lemmy at his Los Angeles home. Lemmy was a keen collector of military regalia and Nazi memorabilia – he vehemently denounced Nazism, racism and Adolf Hitler but stated he collected Nazi ephemerae as he liked how it looked.
Lemmy at the Rainbow Bar & Grill
Here's Lemmy pictured outside his favourite watering hole, The Rainbow Bar and Grill in Hollywood, in 2001. His apartment was just two blocks away from the famous boozer.
Lemmy with a Jack Daniel's
Lemmy clutching a Jack Daniel's and coke outside The Rainbow Bar and Grill. The 2005 documentary Motörhead: Live Fast Die Old claimed that Lemmy drank a bottle of Jack Daniel's every day for over 30 years. He gave up drinking JD in 2013 due to health reasons.
Lemmy in 2003
Motörhead legend Lemmy at a Los Angeles photoshoot in 2003
Lemmy immortalised at Hollywood's RockWalk
In September 2003, Lemmy and his Motörhead band mates Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee had their hands pressed into concrete as they were inducted into Hollywood's RockWalk at Whisky A Go-Go.
Lemmy with Dave Grohl
Lemmy with arguably his biggest fan, Foo Fighters lynchpin Dave Grohl in 2004. Lemmy played bass and sang on the track 'Shake Your Blood' by Dave Grohl's heavy metal side project Probot. Grohl said at the time: "We recorded (Lemmy's) track in Los Angeles in maybe two takes about a year and a half ago. Until then I'd never met what I'd call a real rock 'n' roll hero before. F--- Elvis and Keith Richards, Lemmy's the king of rock 'n' roll—he told me he never considered Motörhead a metal band, he was quite adamant. Lemmy's a living, breathing, drinking and snorting f---ing legend. No one else comes close."
Lemmy in 2004
Lemmy photographed prior to Motörhead's A Night at the Opera concert at the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, London in February 2004. The one-off gig at the Vilar Floral Hall was part of One Amazing Week, a series of events showcasing London's cultural life.
Motörhead win their only Grammy
Motörhead won their first and only Grammy Award in 2005 in the Best Metal Performance category for their cover of Metallica's 'Whiplash', which appeared on the album 'Metallic Attack: The Ultimate Tribute.'
Motörhead make their debut at Download Festival
Lemmy photographed on stage with Motörhead at Download Festival in June 2005 where they headlined the second stage on the Sunday night. It was the band's first appearance on the hallowed turf of Donington Park since Monsters of Rock in 1986.
Lemmy in 2006
Lemmy flips the bird at a London photoshoot in 2006. The band's tenth album 'Kiss of Death' was released that summer.
Lemmy and Slash
Lemmy with his good friend Slash in January 2007. Slash first met Lemmy in London 20 years earlier on Guns N' Roses' inaugural trip to the UK. Slash said in 2017: "It was the first time Guns N' Roses came to the UK (in 1987), and somebody asked us, 'Would you guys like to meet Motörhead, they're doing a record?' So it was like, 'Oh yeah!' I mean, we just go off a plane. And listened to those f__king records as a kid, and I'd seen Motörhead twice before I ever came here, so yeah, it was intimidating. But we went down there and they were cool – and Lemmy and I were friends ever since." Lemmy sang on Slash's 2010 solo single 'Doctor Alibi.'
Lemmy in 2008
Lemmy on stage with Motörhead at Vieilles Charrues Festival in France in July 2008.
Lemmy at Hammersmith Apollo
Lemmy pulls his signature bass gun move at London's Hammersmith Apollo in 2008.
Lemmy in 2010
Motörhead's Lemmy captured in 2010 by late-great photographer Mick Hutson.
Lemmy on the Gigantour in 2012
Lemmy performs with Motörhead in Illinois in February 2012 as part of the Dave Mustaine curated Gigantour. The impressive line-up on the trek also included Megadeth, Volbeat and Lacuna Coil.
Lemmy The Legend
Lemmy at the Classic Rock Roll of Honour awards at London's The Roundhouse in 2012. At the inaugural event seven years earlier, Lemmy scooped the Living Legend Award.
Lemmy at Download Festival 2013
Lemmy at Motörhead's fourth and final appearance at Download Festival in June 2013. Motörhead were scheduled to perform at the 2016 edition, however the show was axed in the wake of Lemmy's death.
Lemmy at the 57th Grammy Awards
Lemmy at the 57th Grammy Awards at The Staples Center in Los Angeles in February 2015. The band were nominated in the Best Metal Performance category for 'Heartbreaker', however they lost out to Tenacious D's cover of Dio's 'The Last in Line.'
Lemmy's penultimate UK show
Motörhead performed on The Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in June 2015 in what proved to be their second to last UK performance – their final show on these shores happened a day later at Eden Sessions in Cornwall on 27th June.
Lemmy's final concerts
Lemmy at the Zenith venue in Munich, Germany on 20th November 2015 as part of Motörhead's 40th anniversary tour. The band's last ever concert happened at Berlin's Max-Schmeling-Halle on 11th December just 17 days before Lemmy's untimely passing.
Lemmy dies aged 70
Lemmy died at his Los Angeles apartment from prostate cancer, cardiac arrhythmia, and congestive heart failure on 28th December 2015. He passed away four days after his 70th birthday and two days after he was diagnosed with cancer.
Motörhead pay tribute to Lemmy
Announcing his death, Motörhead wrote: "There is no easy way to say this…our mighty, noble friend Lemmy passed away today after a short battle with an extremely aggressive cancer. He had learnt of the disease on December 26th, and was at home, sitting in front of his favourite video game from The Rainbow which had recently made its way down the street, with his family. We cannot begin to express our shock and sadness, there aren't words.We will say more in the coming days, but for now, please…play Motörhead loud, play Hawkwind loud, play Lemmy's music LOUD. Have a drink or few. Share stories. Celebrate the LIFE this lovely, wonderful man celebrated so vibrantly himself. HE WOULD WANT EXACTLY THAT."
Lemmy gifts his friends bullets containing his ashes
As part of his dying wish, Lemmy gave a number of his closest friends a very special gift – a bullet with his ashes inside. Among the recipients were Judas Priest's Halford, retired tennis player Pat Cash, Michael Monroe, Doro Pesch and former Headbangers Ball host Riki Rachtman.
Lemmy statue at Rainbow Bar & Grill
A 6ft bronze Lemmy statue was unveiled at his favourite drinking establishment, West Hollywood's Rainbow Bar and Grill, on Wednesday 24th August 2016. Fans raised $23,000 to fund the sculpture.
The colossal Lemmy statue at Hellfest
A colossal statue of Motörhead legend Lemmy was unveiled at French metal festival Hellfest in Clisson, France in June 2022. Created by French artist and sculptor Caroline Brisset (pictured), the impressive statue was created from steel and concrete, and it replaced the previous Lemmy statue at Hellfest that was erected in 2016.
The planned Lemmy statue in Burslem
British sculptor Andy Edwards has been enlisted to create a proposed bronze statue of Ian Fraser Kilmister in his birthplace of Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent. The planned Lemmy statue will be sculpted in Staffordshire clay before being cast in bronze. It's proposed that the sculpture, which depicts Lemmy in his imperious on stage glory with Motörhead in the 1980s, will be installed on an 8ft (2.5m) plinth, designed to resemble an overhanging stage. Organisers have submitted the planning request to Stoke-on-Trent City Council for approval, and they argue that the new statue would 'give more purpose to this area and provide a place for the public to learn about one of Burslem's iconic inhabitants.'