Still Bringing People Together: Motörhead Legend Lemmy Celebrated at the O2 Apollo Manchester
"It was only on my way home from the event that it started to dawn on me just how incredible it is that even a decade after he passed, Lemmy is still bringing people together, an amazing feat."
Photography: David Weddle @dweddlephotography
Venue: O2 Apollo Manchester
Date: 16th of June 2026
Words: David Weddle
Venue: O2 Apollo Manchester
Date: 16th of June 2026
Words: David Weddle
After dedicating five decades of his life to rock and roll, the legendary frontman Lemmy Kilmister of an equally legendary band, Motörhead, had a real connection with his fans. They not only loved his music, but there was also a genuine love for the man himself. It says a lot about who Lemmy was; there were no airs and graces. He was a down-to-earth man who was renowned for living hard and playing even harder both on stage and off.
Now, just over a decade since he passed, Lemmy's ashes have made the journey from the hallowed ground of Donnington and the Download Festival to the iconic O2 Apollo Manchester, a place that Lemmy played at 23 times between 1979 and his final gig there in November 2024. It is a venue that Lemmy knew very well, so it is really great that they have been chosen to be his new home in the city.
With the sun breaking through the clouds, a faint rumble could be heard in the distance. What could it be? You may be forgiven for thinking it was a thunderstorm brewing, as it was a tad warm, but you would be very much mistaken. It was the rumble of a huge procession of bikers who were escorting Lemmy on his journey across the city from O2 Victoria Warehouse.
Now, just over a decade since he passed, Lemmy's ashes have made the journey from the hallowed ground of Donnington and the Download Festival to the iconic O2 Apollo Manchester, a place that Lemmy played at 23 times between 1979 and his final gig there in November 2024. It is a venue that Lemmy knew very well, so it is really great that they have been chosen to be his new home in the city.
With the sun breaking through the clouds, a faint rumble could be heard in the distance. What could it be? You may be forgiven for thinking it was a thunderstorm brewing, as it was a tad warm, but you would be very much mistaken. It was the rumble of a huge procession of bikers who were escorting Lemmy on his journey across the city from O2 Victoria Warehouse.
All of a sudden there was bike after bike on the horizon, their mean machines glinting in the sun; it was a sight to behold. As they pulled into the O2 Apollo Manchester's car park, we had the first glimpse of the slot machine, a machine that he even took on tour with him.
Transported on the back of the coolest GMC pickup you are likely to see in Manchester any time soon, the slot machine and the rest of the convoy came to a stop and were quickly surrounded by people wanting to get a glimpse and a photo or two. The entourage dismounted their vehicles and watched as the machine was moved from the truck and taken into the venue to take up its position in its new home.
As everyone filed inside, there wasn't a sense that this was in any way a sad or sombre occasion akin to a funeral; this was most definitely an occasion of deep respect for what was happening but still a very upbeat and positive vibe in the place. It was full of people who shared a real connection with Lemmy, from the likes of Alan Hungerford, Lemmy's former security guard and his PA, to Ace from Skunk Anansie, who was friends with Lemmy for twenty or so years.
Transported on the back of the coolest GMC pickup you are likely to see in Manchester any time soon, the slot machine and the rest of the convoy came to a stop and were quickly surrounded by people wanting to get a glimpse and a photo or two. The entourage dismounted their vehicles and watched as the machine was moved from the truck and taken into the venue to take up its position in its new home.
As everyone filed inside, there wasn't a sense that this was in any way a sad or sombre occasion akin to a funeral; this was most definitely an occasion of deep respect for what was happening but still a very upbeat and positive vibe in the place. It was full of people who shared a real connection with Lemmy, from the likes of Alan Hungerford, Lemmy's former security guard and his PA, to Ace from Skunk Anansie, who was friends with Lemmy for twenty or so years.
Ace (Skunk Anansie), photo: David Weddle
Inside the exclusive event, guests were able to see the slot machine up close. A huge array of backstage passes from across the years and a drawing of Lemmy signed by the man himself were on display. There was, of course, one thing that grabbed everyone's attention as they entered the room. A small glass display case containing a portion of Lemmy's ashes encased in a custom urn topped with a replica of Lemmy's iconic hat.
It was quite surreal being so close to Lemmy's ashes, a man who made such a huge impact on the world of music and beyond. It was only on my way home from the event that it started to dawn on me just how incredible it is that even a decade after he passed, Lemmy is still bringing people together, an amazing feat.
It was incredible to see so many like-minded people come together to celebrate the life of someone who inspired so many by simply doing what he loved to do and doing it with everything he had.
It was quite surreal being so close to Lemmy's ashes, a man who made such a huge impact on the world of music and beyond. It was only on my way home from the event that it started to dawn on me just how incredible it is that even a decade after he passed, Lemmy is still bringing people together, an amazing feat.
It was incredible to see so many like-minded people come together to celebrate the life of someone who inspired so many by simply doing what he loved to do and doing it with everything he had.
