A statue of the musician is erected in Lemmy Kilmister’s birthplace. The central English city of Burslem, a district of the city of Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, has just approved the corresponding application.
There is no stranger behind the statue
Now the late Motörhead frontman is to be honored in the form of a bronze image. According to plans by artist Andy Edwards, it will be 2.25 meters high and show Kilmister in a typical stage pose. So he should play his bass and stretch himself towards a slightly raised microphone stand. Edwards has experience with statues of famous musicians. For example, he created the Beatles’ figures at the Pier Head in their hometown of Liverpool. He was also responsible for sculptures by Bob Marley, also in Liverpool, and the Bee Gees in Douglas on the Isle of Man.
Lemmy Kilmister on stage in the music video of Motörhead’s biggest hit:
Authorities demanded design changes
However, before Lemmy Kilmister’s statue could be approved, the artist had to make changes to the design. Police expressed safety concerns over the “well-intentioned but potentially attention-seeking” tribute. Primarily it was about revelers who might try to climb the statue. To limit the dangers, the base of the statue was raised and the microphone stand was also moved closer to the body of the Motörhead boss, who died in 2015. Following city guidelines, Edwards also changed the material of the plinth: instead of black granite, it will now be made of sandstone to match the surrounding buildings.
Lemmy Kilmister: Tributes to pioneering musicians
Once funding is secured, the bronze Lemmy Kilmister will be erected in Burslem Market Square. There is currently an online fundraising campaign to support the project. This is not the first time that the musician has been paid tribute in the form of a sculpture. At the metal festival “Hellfest” in Clisson, France, a metal statue of Lemmy Kilmister has been standing for two years, with parts of his ashes built into it. The scene wants to honor the musician who, with his band, was an important pioneer for the first wave of heavy metal. Another likeness of him is in a restaurant in West Hollywood where the musician often ate.