BLACK SABBATH’s TONY IOMMI On LEMMY: ‘His Legend Will Never Die’

BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi has released the following statement regarding the passing of MOTÖRHEAD mainman Lemmy Kilmister:

“Very sad to hear of the passing of our dear friend Lemmy. He gave so much to the music business and was totally dedicated to his fans. His legend will never die. His life was all about the music, being on stage and a giving pleasure to others.

“Rest in peace, Lemmy. You’ll be greatly missed.”

Lemmy, who just celebrated his 70th birthday on Christmas Eve (December 24), learned two days later, on December 26, that he was afflicted with an aggressive form of cancer. He died two days later, on Monday (December 28) at his home in Los Angeles.

Lemmy had been dealing with serious health issues for the past two years, including getting a pacemaker in 2013 and suffering from a hematoma last year. But despite 40 years of hard living and drinking, he continued to tour and record at a feverish pace.

The band was forced to cancel or postpone a number of shows this year due to Lemmy‘s poor health, which also forced him to cut back on his drinking and give up smoking.

While MOTÖRHEAD itself was revered by metal and punk fans, Lemmy himself became a rock and roll icon and elder statesman, the embodiment of a musician who lived the rock lifestyle to the fullest and never stopped.