'Lemmy's statue can help drive Mother Town's cultural revival'

“WE'RE gathered here in Stoke-on-Trent, the city that gave us pottery, oatcakes, and the loudest, most iconic frontman in rock and roll history. Lemmy wasn't just born here, he was forged here.”

- 

The Motörhead manager's profound tribute at last month's unveiling of the statue of the heavy metal legend in his hometown was loudly cheered by the 'sea of love' crowd who flocked to Burslem's Market Square.

It is hoped this latest interactive public artwork crafted by the acclaimed Potteries-born sculptor Andy Edwards, renowned for his evocative moments of history creations, which he described as a 'flag in the ground' occasion, could spark the change the industrial Mother Town so desperately needs.

Born Ian Fraser Kilmister on Christmas Eve in 1945, two decades after Stoke-on-Trent was granted city status, there's an element of serendipity that a commemorative statue depicting Lemmy at the height of his fame in an iconic pose with his hallmark bass guitar, standing on a plinth enshrined with a portion of his ashes, became a place of ritual for people to come together in the city's centenary year of celebration.

Philanthropically funded by the band's management, the statue is the first phase of a momentous IFK Lemmy Forever initiative to celebrate the musician's life and impact, and create a movement to keep the spirit of Motorhead alive.

This cultural landmark can also become the catalyst for musical creativity in Lemmy's birthplace.