With such great national and international media interest, I hardly need to recount the day in great detail. Let’s face it. Unless you have been on another planet, you will no doubt have seen plenty of coverage in the press and on social media. 9 May 2025 was a day when the people of Burslem and Motörheadbangers, young and old, gathered to remember Ian Lemmy Kilmister, son of the town, honoured with an incredible statue crafted by the genius of Andy Edwards.
Anticipation was building all morning around the Market Square, and even as my friends and I travelled towards the location, there was full coverage on the local radio station on the taxi driver’s radio.
Glorious weather saw the Square bathed in sunshine, with Motörhead t-shirts, cuts and patches everywhere you looked. The few police maintained a low profile, laughing and mixing with the fans in a jovial and respectful manner. 
The nearby pubs were doing a roaring trade, huge queues snaking away from the bars. In The Old Post Office, Phil Campbell was hidden away, a few press interviews completed, waiting for the moment later in the day when he would place some of Lemmy’s ashes into the statue.
Coordination of the day was skilfully led by Alan Hungerford, Lemmy’s former right-hand man and his team, who had everything under close control. It was a scene of high excitement, controlled and tempered by the slightly sombre reason, but ultimately a fitting tribute to possibly the most iconic rock figure we have ever seen.
Several other legends were present, including one Krusher Joule, who was chatting with friends and taking selfies with anyone who wanted to.
If you have heard any of the Motörcast podcasts that have been running for the past few years, then you will be familiar with the host, Howard H Smith. Lead singer of Acid Reign, host of Talking Bollocks podcasts and comedian (to name just three things H does), H was the ideal choice for compere, and he ran it in style, with brief interviews with former members of the Rocking Vicars, the local Mayor, US manager Todd Singermann, Edwards and of course, Phil Campbell. Plenty of emotion on display as memories were shared.
These speeches were preceded by a biker cavalcade who brought the ashes to the event. This was followed by a 21-rev salute, then the speeches and the unveiling of the statute itself.
Huge applause rang out as the orange cover was removed, hundreds of camera phones in the air, capturing those initial moments as the magnificent piece of work was revealed. And then Phil placed the ashes in the plinth, all inside an iconic Lemmy hat. Cue Motörhead on the sound system, and it was done. 
Of course, the party continued late into the evening, with various events across the town. At Grumpys, the biker bar that is the home of the biker cavalcade, Motörwrecked played a lengthy set of Motörhead classics, whilst an auction in the interval saw fans grab some exclusive items.
Ultimately, this was a day to remember, to think about all those times that you had watched Motörhead over the years, and to marvel at the permanent memorial unveiled a few hours earlier.
With plans for a permanent museum across the road from the Market Square, and much more besides, the legacy of Lemmy is only just beginning. 
