Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Motorhead fans' health fears grow over Lemmy after frontman walks off stage mid concert

Lemmy had to leave the stage after three songs

Heather Saul
Thursday 03 September 2015 06:16 EDT
Comments
Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead
Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Motörhead fans are voicing their concern over frontman Lemmy’s health after the rocker was taken ill and walked off stage during a perfromance.

Lemmy, real name Ian Kilmister, played three songs during a concert in Austin, Texas, on Tuesday before having to leave the stage, telling the crowd: “I have to tell you, I got sick about a week ago”. After attempting to play "Metropolis" but clearly struggling, he stopped and told the crowd, “"I can't do it”, before walking off.

In footage of the show, audience members can be heard commenting on how sick he appeared, with one noting: “He looks like he’s ready to pass out”.

The heavy metal band released a statement on its Facebook page confirming Lemmy would not appearing until he was “properly rested and bring on all cylinders again”, blaming the illness on altitude sickness.

Their message said: “As you might have heard, Motörhead again had to abbreviate a performance due to Lemmy not feeling well. This is a DIRECT follow-on from the altitude issues in Colorado, and clearly, Lemmy tried to get back at it too quickly. For this reason, Motörhead will not play in San Antonio tonight, but the show will still go on with Saxon headlining.”

Motörhead were forced to cancel dates in their 2013 summer tour due to Lemmy’s ill health.

The 69-year-old has lived a notoriously faced paced lifestyle and often described his love of whiskey and women in interviews, claiming he had slept with over 1,000 women during his career.

Describing his refusal to settle down, he told The Independent in 2010: "This is how my life was always meant to take place: in the back of a tour bus somewhere, a girl I've never met before in my lap, and who will be gone by morning. It's how I live. It suits me.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in