Lemmy: Death certificate for Motorhead frontman shows he died of prostate cancer

Lemmy died two days after his cancer diagnosis

Motörhead frontman Lemmy was the rock star’s rock star (EPA)

The Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister died from prostate cancer, his death certificate has revealed.

Lemmy passed away in Los Angeles on 28 December, just two days after being told he had an “extremely aggressive” form of cancer.

The 70-year-old had become unwell during a gig in September and left fans concerned over his health when he had to leave the stage mid-show. Motörhead were also forced to cancel a string of shows in 2013 over his poor health.

A picture of the death certificate issued by the Los Angeles Department of Public Health and obtained by TMZ lists the cause of death as prostate cancer, cardiac arrhythmia and congestive heart failure.

Lemmy was born in Stoke-on-Trent, grew up in North Wales and attempted a number of low paying jobs before becoming a roadie for Jimi Hendrix. He went on to found the Grammy award-winning Motörhead, a band he insisted were rock'n'roll - not heavy metal.

Lemmy was famed for his fast-paced life, his love of Jack Daniels and his refusal to live a conventional life. He eventually settled in an apartment in LA, reportedly located close to his favourite bar. He told The Independent in 2010: “This is how my life was always meant to take place: in the back of a tour bus somewhere, a girl I've never met before in my lap, and who will be gone by morning. It's how I live. It suits me.”