Lemmy Kilmister has died. He was the frontman, bass player,
and heart and soul of the band Motorhead. I won’t rehash his story. It’s easy
enough to find on the net, especially since his death. What I will say is that
I’m sorry to hear of his loss. His music was important to me. As I’ve often said,
I don’t typically respect specific people, although I might respect certain
behaviors that folks exhibit. Lemmy is probably about as close to a whole person
I could respect as there exists out there. Death owes us all an apology for
taking Lemmy. Here are my top five favorite Motorhead tunes.
5. Killed by Death: Something has to take you out. Might as
well be death.
4. Ace of Spades: My introduction to the band.
3. In the Year of the Wolf: Remembering how we were when we
were young.
2. Just Cos You got the Power: An anthem for the little man.
1. Deaf Forever: The best heroic fantasy song ever written.
I wasn't a big fan of his music, but Lemmy was a rock icon and will be missed.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think Ace of Spades is everyone's introduction to Motorhead.
I heard about this on TV, but I am not a close follower of the bands.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard when our heroes die. May you have a wonderful New Year!
ReplyDeleteSad news... Death is absurd...
ReplyDeleteI knew of them, but I've never listened to their music. I will do it now.
Happy New Year, Charles! I wish you and your loved ones only good health, and happiness, and wishes come true!
Alex, it can be pretty harsh if you're not really into heavy stuff.
ReplyDeleteOscar, he was definitely a character.
Sage, I hope 2016 is better. Have a great one yourself.
Vesper, same to you for 2016
I never really heard much Motorhead, or if I did I probably didn't know it was Motorhead, but I'm definitely sorry to see him go and sorry for the loss.
ReplyDeleteGreg, you don't hear them outside of hard rock stations.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have listened to Motorhead.
ReplyDeleteCould never talk the others into doing The Game in my old bands. They were too scared.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that Aces Of Spades was everyone's intro to Motorhead. I got my first taste when they appeared on an episode of "The Young Ones". Got hooked right there and then.
ReplyDeleteI haven't listened to them much, but it's shitty when someone is just taken like that.
ReplyDeletePrashant, they are very loud
ReplyDeleteeric1313, Motorhead is definitely a bit dangerous
G.B., I never saw them on that until later I saw it on you tube
Riot kitty, yes, it was sad
Lemmy was undiluted rock and roll, and he cheated death longer than most of us will. One of the best there will ever be.
ReplyDeleteYour sentiment about death owing us an apology put me in mind of a great poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, a person who also died before any justice in the universe would dictate that she should. And how did she die? She tripped on some stairs.
ReplyDeleteI am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground.
So it is, and so it will be, for so it has been, time out of mind:
Into the darkness they go, the wise and the lovely. Crowned
With lilies and with laurel they go; but I am not resigned.
Lovers and thinkers, into the earth with you.
Be one with the dull, the indiscriminate dust.
A fragment of what you felt, of what you knew,
A formula, a phrase remains,—but the best is lost.
The answers quick and keen, the honest look, the laughter, the love,—
They are gone. They are gone to feed the roses. Elegant and curled
Is the blossom. Fragrant is the blossom. I know. But I do not approve.
More precious was the light in your eyes than all the roses in the world.
Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave
Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;
Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.
I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.