Motorhead have announced that the ashes of their legendary frontman Lemmy Kilmister will be displayed at Download Festival, which kicks off today and runs through Sunday. The band will hold their seventh 'Lemmy Forever' ceremony at the event to honor their late bandmate.
Details of the Tribute
Lemmy, born Ian Fraser Kilmister, passed away in 2015 at age 70 shortly after a cancer diagnosis. For years, Download Festival has featured a tribute to the iconic musician, and organizers have confirmed it will continue this year. A portion of Lemmy's ashes will be enshrined in a fruit machine inside Lemmy's Lounge, a miniature version of his custom urn. The tribute ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 12 at 3 PM.
Future Plans for the Ashes
After the festival ends, the same ashes will be transported to the O2 Apollo in Manchester, where they will remain permanently following another 'Lemmy Forever' ceremony. This ensures UK fans have another opportunity to pay their respects.
The ceremonies have been organized over the years by guitarist Phil Campbell, who sadly passed away in March 2026 at age 64 due to complications from surgery. Since his death, Motorhead's manager Todd Singerman has taken over the organization.
Todd Singerman stated: "It remains a responsibility we proudly carry. Not everyone can make the pilgrimage to visit Lemmy in Hollywood, so we are bringing Lem back to his fans. These places meant something to him and they mean something to the people who loved him." He added that the 2026 ceremonies will also allow fans to pay tribute to Phil, whom he called "an important family member," noting that Lemmy would "insist we all raise a glass to Phil."
Lemmy's Ashes Travel History
Lemmy's ashes have been displayed in various locations over the years. In 2024, they were featured in an urn shaped like his trademark hat at London's Stringfellow's strip club. They have also been escorted by a convoy of Harley Davidson bikers to Nottingham Rock City, appear annually at Bloodstock Festival, and a portion resides at the Los Angeles Rainbow Bar & Grill. Some ashes were scattered at the Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany.
Additionally, some ashes were incorporated into an Ace of Spades tattoo on the middle finger of Metallica's James Hetfield, and a few loved ones turned some into bullets.
Legacy and Tributes
Since his death 11 years ago, numerous tributes have honored Lemmy. Metallica released the song 'Murder One,' named after his favorite amp, depicting his rise to fame. He was inducted into the Hall of Heavy Metal History and had an extinct crocodile, the Lemmysuchus, named after him. In November 2016, an asteroid was officially named 243002 Lemmy.
