Motorhead vocalist and bassist Lemmy aka Ian Fraser Kilmister has died of cancer in Los Angeles.
He died on Monday (US time) aged 70. The band confirmed Lemmy's death with a post on its official Facebook page.
"There is no easy way to say this...our mighty, noble friend Lemmy passed away today after a short battle with an extremely aggressive cancer," it read.
"He had learnt of the disease on December 26th, and was at home, sitting in front of his favorite video game from The Rainbow which had recently made it's way down the street, with his family.
"We cannot begin to express our shock and sadness, there aren't words."
They promised to update fans in the coming days, but "for now" encouraged them to play his music, tell tales, and remember a legend who will be sadly missed.
"Please...play Motorhead loud, play Hawkwind loud, play Lemmy's music LOUD.
Have a drink or few.
"Share stories. Celebrate the LIFE this lovely, wonderful man celebrated so vibrantly himself. He would want exactly that."
The touching tribute finished with the simple message: "Born to lose, lived to win".
Fans are already sharing their memories, messages and expressing sadness at the loss on Twitter.
The news of Kilmister's death comes a month after that of Motorhead drummer Phil Taylor.
-nzherald.co.nz