Rock Icon Lemmy to Get Bronze Statue in Burslem – Here’s What You Need to Know
Stoke-on-Trent prepares for an influx of rock fans as Lemmy’s statue is set to be unveiled in May 2025
Stoke-on-Trent is set to welcome a brand-new landmark honouring one of its most legendary sons, Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead. As part of the band’s 50th-anniversary celebrations, a statue of Lemmy will be unveiled in his birthplace, Burslem, on International Motörhead Day (8 May 2025). The statue is fully and privately funded, ensuring Lemmy's legacy is celebrated without public expense.
The 2.25m bronze statue, created by acclaimed British sculptor Andy Edwards, will depict Lemmy striking an iconic stage pose from the 1980s. Edwards, known for his sculptures of The Beatles in Liverpool and Bob Marley in Jamaica, expressed his deep personal connection to the project. “This new statue of Lem is special, not just because I share the same birthplace as him or because of how much he personally means to me, but because it’s so important to have a permanent international landmark celebrating him where he was born,” he said.
“Lemmy gave me joy, confidence in myself, and energy, and he’s also an avatar of the original spirit and power of rock ’n’ roll. I really hope it will become a meeting place for people from all over the world to take the journey to.”
Motörhead, the legendary band that has provided the soundtrack to generations and become a way of life for millions around the world, will mark their 50th anniversary in 2025 with a series of special releases and events throughout the year. With a career spanning live performances to millions of fans and more than 25 million albums sold, the Grammy Award-winning band remains as popular as ever as they enter their golden jubilee.
In 2024, Motörhead achieved a new UK top 10 single with Lawman in October, which amassed more than 320 million global streams, reached 20 million listeners on Spotify, and gained more than 112 million views on YouTube. Kicking off with an exciting release set to be announced in May, 2025 promises to be a year-long celebration that reaffirms the band's legacy, because Motörhead is for life, and Lemmy is forever.
The unveiling event will be led by Motörhead’s longest-serving guitarist, Phil Campbell, who will place a portion of Lemmy's ashes at the statue, further cementing its status as a shrine for fans worldwide.
Motörhead’s manager, Todd Singerman, highlighted the significance of the statue, stating, “To be able to see Lemmy further immortalised in his place of birth by Andy’s amazing statue is a huge deal.”
“This man left the building 10 years ago, yet he remains not only with us but is even more popular than ever. It’s because Lemmy stood for honesty, integrity, inclusion, and making the greatest, loudest rock ’n’ roll possible. Let’s face it, there is only one Lemmy, and the world continues to celebrate him and his music loudly and proudly.”
The statue has been crafted using Staffordshire clay, reflecting Lemmy's roots, before progressing through the wax moulding process and finally being cast in bronze. Located in Burslem's Market Place, the site is expected to attract fans from across the world, making it a significant cultural and economic boost for Stoke-on-Trent.
In addition to the statue unveiling, Motörhead will mark their 50th year with a series of special releases and events throughout 2025. This includes the launch of limited-edition vinyl reissues of their breakthrough albums, Overkill, Bomber and Ace of Spades, on 28 February. Each album will be cut as half-speed masters, pressed in special colour configurations, and include exclusive posters.
As anticipation builds for the statue’s unveiling, BBC Radio Stoke will feature an interview with local business leader Mike Lloyd at 7.10am tomorrow, discussing Lemmy's legacy and his well-known love for Port Vale Football Club.
The upcoming Lemmy statue stands as a powerful testament to the enduring impact of Motörhead's music and the legacy of their iconic frontman. Stoke-on-Trent is set to become a pilgrimage site for rock fans, with the statue serving as a lasting tribute to the man who truly defined the spirit of rock ’n’ roll.
Kicking off the celebrations will be special 50th-anniversary, limited vinyl editions of Motörhead’s breakthrough albums: Overkill, Bomber, and Ace of Spades. These are all cut as half-speed masters, pressed in special colour configurations, and include an exclusive poster, to be released on 28 February. Pre-order here.
To keep up with all the anniversary celebrations and Motörhead's latest news, visit Motörhead's official website.