ON AUGUST 2nd, 2023, a giant tribute to Ian ‘Lemmy’ Kilmister took place, featuring a parade, communal toasts, and the enshrinement of his ashes at Lemmy’s Bar in the village of Wacken.
Despite wretched weather conditions, nothing could derail the thunderous celebrations, which saw Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee participate in an afternoon parade featuring several giant floats carrying hundreds of loud and raucous Motörhead fans. The proceedings started at the festival site and headed through the town of Wacken to Lemmy’s Bar, where hoards of fans were waiting for the enshrinement ceremony, which saw Phil and Mikkey place Lemmy’s ashes in a specially-prepared glass display unit next to personal items including his hat, boots, bass guitar, and Marshall stack. Fans were also treated to a re-enacted version of Lemmy’s Dressing Room, which contained all his favorite things such as books, newspapers, whiskey, of course, and even his beloved Kinder Eggs with a toy, and the building itself was adorned with various Motörhead-themed murals, including one of Lemmy himself.
Later, at night onstage, headlining rocker Doro (an old friend of Lemmy’s) was joined on stage by Phil and Mikkey for “Love Me Forever” and “Ace Of Spades,” which saw the crowd go crazy and underscore the enormous presence Lemmy carries as an immortal man of the people. Throughout the day (and doubtless into the remaining days of the festival), toasts were raised in Lemmy’s name.
“Lemmy loved playing Wacken; there was a long relationship as we played for the first time in 1997 and returned many, many times,” said Mikkey Dee. “It is quite natural that he is returning now and has another place forever.”
“It’s great that Lemmy will be at Wacken forever among such good friends,” said Phil Campbell. “And I’m glad there’s another home where people can raise a toast to him.”
The Lemmy Forever at Wacken celebration was part of a wider movement that started at last year’s Hellfest, and sees Lemmy enshrined and celebrated at select spots around the world, which he loved while giving fans a place to gather, remember, and honor him.