Ian Fraser Kilmister, widely known as Motorhead vocalist and bassist Lemmy, died of cancer Monday in Los Angeles. He was 70.

The 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 December 26th, and was at home, sitting in front of his favorite video game from the Rainbow which had recently made it’s 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 British musician was a member of Hawkwind from 1972 to 1975 before founding heavy metal band Motorhead. The band’s biggest hit was “Ace of Spades” in 1980.

He had said that he drank a bottle of Jack Daniels every day for many years, and was known for his prodigious consumption of drugs and alcohol, though he is said to have finally slowed down in the past few years.

Radio personality Eddie Trunk first tweeted the news.

Sorry to report that I have confirmed Lemmy @myMotorhead has passed away just now at the age of 70. RIP to a true original icon of rock. — Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) December 29, 2015

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