Lemmy Kilmister Dead: Motorhead Frontman Did NOT Know He Was Dying Despite Health Struggles, Per Bandmate

Motorhead drummer Mikkey Dee looked back at the time the band lost its beloved frontman, Ian "Lemmy" Kilmester.

In the years before his death, Lemmy faced several health issues and struggled because of them. Still, he continued playing with the band until his passing.

Looking back, Motorhead drummer Mikkey Dee was asked in a new interview whether Lemmy knew he was dying months before his death in December 2015.

Dee told Rodrigo Altaf of Sonic Perspectives that, although Lemmy had several health conditions, he never had those thoughts at all.

"I know he didn't have these thoughts at all. But he did struggle with his health, and that was a pain in the a*s for Lemmy, because he wanted to live his normal life so much," he said. "But he had some good days and bad days. And '15 was a tough year for Lemmy, and for all of us, obviously."

With that, the drummer said his late bandmate had no clue about that.

In fact, Lemmy refused to quit touring although his health was clearly deteriorating.

In a separate interview with the "Waste Some Time With Jason Green" video podcast in May 2021, Dee revealed that the singer joined them on the band's last show on Dec. 11 in Berlin. Two weeks later, he passed away.

According to Dee, he and Phil Campbell tried talking him out about starting the European tour after Christmas instead. However, they soon realized they should not push him and let him do what he wanted to do because he knew best what he aimed to do.

Unfortunately, Motorhead was no longer able to start its European tour's second leg.

Lemmy Tried To Change Lifestyle Before Death

Amid his health issues, Lemmy reportedly made changes in his life to improve what he felt. However, for Dee, it was maybe a little too late.

Lemmy ultimately died at the age of 70 days after learning he had cancer. He discovered the dreaded disease after having a brain scan. The result, unfortunately, showed that he had cancerous tumors throughout his brain and neck.

His doctors said he had two to six months to live due to the severity of his case.

Aside from cancer, Lemmy also struggled with a heart condition and diabetes. In 2013, he underwent a surgery for his arrhythmia diagnosis.

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Lemmy, Motorhead