In a remarkable display of admiration, Metallica’s frontman, James Hetfield, has immortalized the legacy of Motörhead’s iconic frontman, Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister, in a deeply personal manner.
Revealed through an Instagram post shared via the band’s official account on Wednesday, April 17, Hetfield disclosed that he had the cremated ashes of Lemmy Kilmister incorporated into a tattoo adorning his middle finger. Crafted in the form of an Ace of Spades insignia, the tattoo symbolizes Hetfield’s profound respect and indebtedness to the English rock legend.
Performed with precision by tattoo artist Corey Miller, Hetfield described the tribute as “a salute to my friend and inspiration Mr. Lemmy Kilmister.” He elaborated further, stating, “Without him, there would be NO Metallica. Black ink mixed with a pinch of his cremation ashes that were so graciously given to me. So now, he is still able to fly the bird at the world.”
Lemmy Kilmister, renowned for his distinctive mutton chops and the seminal Motörhead anthem “Ace of Spades,” passed away in 2015 at the age of 70 after a valiant battle with cancer.
Hetfield’s profound affinity for Motörhead has been evident throughout his career. Metallica has frequently paid homage to the band by covering their songs, with “Overkill” being a notable favorite. Moreover, the band performed a special tribute show at Kilmister’s 50th birthday celebration under the guise of the Lemmys.
Advocating for Motörhead’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Hetfield emphasized in 2016, “There’s no more rock & roll person on this planet than Lemmy and Motörhead.”
Lemmy’s influence on Metallica is undeniable. Reflecting on the impact, Hetfield remarked in a 2016 Sirius XM interview, “Motörhead had a lot to do with Metallica sitting here right now.” He continued, “Just Lemmy as an entity, as kind of a father figure, he helped us a lot. He was unafraid. And he was a character. And he was himself.”
The sentiment is echoed by other members of Metallica, including drummer Lars Ulrich, who reminisced to Rolling Stone about the pivotal role Motörhead played in shaping their ethos. Recalling the formative days of Metallica, Ulrich shared, “They took me in, they let me be a part of what they were doing, and it inspired James and I to form this band based on that kind of attitude.”
Lemmy Kilmister’s enduring legacy continues to resonate deeply within the world of rock music, with tributes like Hetfield’s serving as poignant reminders of his indelible impact.