MUMBAI: Ian Fraser Kilmister, who is popularly known as rockband Motorhead vocalist and bassist Lemmy, died of “extremely aggressive” cancer in Los Angeles. He was 70.

He passed away on Monday.

The British band confirmed his death on its official Facebook page, saying: “There is no easy way to say this...our mighty, noble friend Lemmy passed away today after a short battle with an extremely aggressive cancer.”

“He had learnt of the disease on 26th December, and was at home, sitting in front of his favourite video game from the Rainbow which had recently made its way down the street, with his family.”

“We cannot begin to express our shock and sadness, there aren’t words. We will say more in the coming days, but for now, please...play Motörhead loud,” the band added.

The veteran musician was a member of Hawkwind band in the early 1970s before founding Motorhead, reports variety.com.

The band’s biggest hit was ‘Ace of Spades’ in 1980.

Lemmy played in a variety of British bands during the 1960s, briefly served as a roadie for the Jimi Hendrix Experience, and played bass in space rock outfit Hawkwind from 1972 to 1975.

Abetted by drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor and guitarist “Fast” Eddie Clarke, Kilmister and Company released Motorhead’s self-titled debut to minor British chart success in 1977.

In 1980, fourth album ‘Ace of Spades’ reached number four on the UK album chart, with its title track quickly becoming the group’s signature song.

Lemmy was known for his sexual prolificacy (he claimed to have slept with more than 1,000 women), love of video poker, and large collection of Nazi memorabilia.

He memorably appeared as himself in the 1994 Brendan Fraser-Adam Sandler comedy ‘Airheads’, claiming to have been editor of his high school newspaper, as well as filming cameos in films and TV shows.

Motorhead won its first and only Grammy in 2005 for best metal performance - ironically, for a cover of Metallica’s heavily Motorhead-indebted ‘Whiplash’.

He also wrote the Ramones song ‘R.A.M.O.N.E.S.’ and contributed lyrics to Ozzy Osbourne’s hit 1991 power ballad ‘Mama, I’m Coming Home’.