An Open Letter from Lemmy Kilmister to Motörhead and the Fans: “Louder Than Hell, Forever”
In a moving and powerful tribute that has surfaced nearly a decade after his passing, an open letter reportedly penned by the late Lemmy Kilmister has been released by the estate of the Motörhead frontman. The letter, originally written in 2015 just weeks before his death, is addressed to his bandmates, his road crew, and above all, the fiercely loyal Motörhead fans who stood by him through four decades of rock and roll chaos.
The message, brimming with Lemmy’s trademark grit, honesty, and gallows humor, captures the raw heart of a man who lived—and died—by his music. The letter serves as both a final farewell and a celebration of a legacy that remains immortal in the eyes of millions.
“To my brothers, and to the mad bastards out there who kept us going…”
Lemmy begins his letter with a blunt sincerity that defined his persona.
“If you’re reading this, it probably means I’ve kicked the bucket. I told you I wouldn’t go quietly, but hey — even I can’t argue with time forever. Still, I got more years than I should have, and I lived every bloody one of them at full volume.”
“To Phil and Mikkey — the best damn bandmates a man could ask for. You weren’t just musicians; you were my brothers in battle. We played through the noise, the booze, the madness — and we never faked a second of it.”
Lemmy, who founded Motörhead in 1975, became synonymous with the band’s fast, aggressive sound and outlaw spirit. Known for hits like Ace of Spades, Overkill, and Iron Fist, Motörhead paved the way for thrash, punk, and heavy metal alike. In the letter, Lemmy reflects on that journey with a mix of pride and disbelief.
“We never played for the charts, the suits, or the glory. We played for the noise. For the sweat on the ceiling. For the fans banging their heads in the front row. That’s what it was always about — the connection, the honesty. You knew we meant every word, and we did.”
“To the Motörhead family — you’re the reason we lasted.”
A significant portion of the letter is devoted to the fans — the Motörhead “lifers,” as Lemmy calls them.
“You lot were more than just an audience — you were part of the band. You lived it with us. The patched jackets, the deaf ears, the blood and beer spilled in the name of rock and roll — it was all real. You believed in Motörhead when nobody else did. You carried us across continents, through riots, across generations.”
“Every time I walked on stage and saw you out there, screaming every word louder than me, I knew we had something that could never be killed.”
Legacy and a Final Wish
Lemmy’s letter closes with a reflection on his legacy, and one final piece of advice to the rock world:
“Don’t ever water it down. Don’t make rock and roll polite. Don’t try to fit in. That’s not what this was ever about. Be loud, be ugly, be honest — and never forget where it came from.”
He ends the message with one final toast:
“I’ll be at the bar somewhere, telling bad jokes to Dio and Bonham. If you hear thunder, that’s just us jamming upstairs. Keep it loud down there. You owe me that much.”
A Permanent Legacy
Since Lemmy’s passing in December 2015, his influence has only grown. Tributes, statues, and festivals continue to celebrate his life and music. The release of this letter, authorized by his longtime manager Todd Singerman, has sparked a fresh wave of emotion among Motörhead fans worldwide.
Mikkey Dee, Motörhead’s longtime drummer, responded to the letter on social media: “He always said it his way. This letter is pure Lemmy — funny, real, and straight from the heart. We miss you, mate.”
Louder Than Hell, Forever
In a world increasingly sanitized and digital, Lemmy’s words cut through like a distorted bass riff: raw, human, and utterly unforgettable. For the Motörhead faithful, this final message isn’t a goodbye — it’s a rallying cry. One more charge, one more toast, one more song to play loud enough to wake the gods.
As Lemmy would say: “Born to lose. Live to win.”
