MOTORHEAD legend "Fast" Eddie Clarke has died aged 67.

The rock star, who founded the Brit heavy metal band, passed away in hospital yesterday.

4 'Fast' Eddie Clarke passed away in hospital yesterday Credit: Copyright (c) 2017 Rex Features.

4 Motorhead band members Lemmy, Phil Taylor and Eddie Clarke in 1980 Credit: Getty - Contributor

The former Motorhead guitarist had been battling pneumonia.

A statement posted on the band's official Facebook page said: "We are devastated to pass on the news we only just heard ourselves earlier tonight.

"Edward Allan Clarke - or as we all know and love him Fast Eddie Clarke - passed away peacefully yesterday.

"Fast Eddie...keep roaring, rocking' and rollin' up there as goddamit man, your Motörfamily would expect nothing less!!!"

4 Fast Eddie helped re-energise heavy metal in the '70s and '80s by helping Motorhead releasing a host of best-selling albums and singles Credit: 1982 Fin Costello

4 The heavy metal band released a string of best-selling albums including Overkill, Ace of Spaces, No Sleep 'til Hammersmith and Iron First Credit: Copyright (c) 2017 Rex Features.

"Fast" Eddie was born in Twickenham, West London in October 1950 and began playing guitar aged 15.

He was the last original member of the heavy metal band which formed in the mid 1970s.

The guitarist was introduced to frontman Fraser "Lemmy" Kilmister by drummer Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor.

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Motorhead helped re-energise heavy metal in the '70s and '80s by releasing a host of best-selling albums and singles.

They including their self-titled debut, Overkill, Ace of Spaces, No Sleep 'til Hammersmith and Iron First.

The band released comeback album Dog Eat Dog in 2011.