Metallica’s Lemmy Kilmister gets a tattoo on his finger.

A Personal Tribute to a Rock Legend Metallica’s Lemmy Kilmister

James Hetfield, the iconic frontman and guitarist of Metallica, has taken his deep admiration for Motörhead to an extraordinary level. The Bay Area rock legend recently revealed a deeply personal tribute to the late Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister, Motörhead’s legendary frontman. Hetfield shared that he had Lemmy’s cremated ashes tattooed into an Ace of Spades insignia on his middle finger, marking a permanent homage to his friend and musical inspiration.

Hetfield’s Emotional Instagram Post

In an emotional Instagram post shared via Metallica’s official account on Wednesday, April 17, Hetfield expressed his reverence for Lemmy: “With the steady hand of friend and tattoo artist Corey Miller … a salute to my friend and inspiration Mr. Lemmy Kilmister. Without him, there would be NO Metallica. Black ink mixed with a pinch of his cremation ashes that were so graciously given to me. So now, he is still able to fly the bird at the world.”

Remembering Lemmy Kilmister’s Legacy

Lemmy Kilmister, renowned for his signature mutton chops and Motörhead’s iconic 1980 anthem “Ace of Spades,” passed away in 2015 at the age of 70 after a battle with cancer. His influence on rock and metal music is immeasurable. His legacy continues to resonate through the generations of musicians he inspired, including Hetfield and the members of Metallica.

Hetfield’s Longstanding Admiration for Motörhead

Hetfield’s love for Motörhead has been no secret. Over the years, Metallica has frequently covered the classic track “Overkill,”. They even performed a tribute show at Kilmister’s 50th birthday party, under the alter-ego band name, the Lemmys. Hetfield has also been a vocal advocate for Motörhead’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Once stating in 2016, “There’s no more rock & roll person on this planet than Lemmy and Motörhead.”

The Profound Impact of Lemmy on Metallica

Following Kilmister’s death, Metallica paid their respects to the influential bassist and singer, whose fast-paced tempos and punk attitude played a crucial role in shaping the early sound of Metallica. In a 2016 Sirius XM interview, Hetfield reflected on Lemmy’s impact: “Motörhead had a lot to do with Metallica sitting here right now. But just Lemmy as an entity, as kind of a father figure, he helped us a lot. He was unafraid. And he was a character. And he was himself. And we all respected that so much. He did his own thing to the last breath. No matter who you are, how could you not be inspired by that?”

Lars Ulrich’s Tribute to Motörhead’s Influenc

Lars Ulrich, Metallica’s drummer, also expressed his deep admiration for Motörhead and the influence they had on Metallica’s formation. Speaking to Rolling Stone after Lemmy’s passing, Ulrich recalled the summer of 1981, when he followed Motörhead on tour: “They took me in, they let me be a part of what they were doing, and it inspired James and me to form this band based on that kind of attitude and that kind of aesthetic of engaging with your fans and being open and transparent and letting people in and sharing the experience. We were all just a bunch of lost kids who wanted to belong to something that was bigger than ourselves.”

Ensuring Lemmy’s Legacy Lives On

Through this unique and heartfelt tribute, James Hetfield ensures that the spirit of Lemmy Kilmister will forever be a part of him. Continuing to inspire not only Metallica but also fans of rock and metal music around the world.

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