Lemmy! Motörhead! Ferndale!

Lemmy in Ferndale

Storied speedfreak, rock ’n’ roll torchbearer, death-defier and Motörhead bassist-shouter Lemmy Kilmister is finally the beast upon whom a film is based. Tho we’ve not seen the doc yet, we can imagine the rock ’n’ roll holy hell to be had, even if by-the-numbers. We’ve also heard the film’s a lovefest to the diminutive, gentlemanly maestro in leather, full of frothy star salutations, all of which are deserved, of course.

A Lemmy reviewer in NME wrote, “Hearing him roar the words to ‘Rock It’ alone is reason enough to watch this movie: ‘Rock ’n’ roll will save your soul/And I got it/ Give it to me loud and free/Don’t knock it.’ As is the fact that long after this film has brought him more attention, long after many of the people in it who call him “a god” are counting their millions sober and contemplating their next investment, he’ll still be singing those words to anyone who’ll listen.” 

Mojo said the film’s “an unflinching and deeply humanizing portrait of one of modern music’s truly iconic figures.” The press release says the film offers a “rare and revealing look at Lemmy’s life with candid at-home interviews, studio sessions, and priceless live concert footage.”

The film’s talking heads include Alice Cooper, Jarvis Cocker, Joan Jett, Billy Bob Thornton, Ozzy, Dave Grohl (who cares?), Slash, pro wrestler Triple H, and members of The Clash, Metallica, Guns ’N Roses, Jane’s Addiction, and others.

Ferndale’s Magic Bag (22900 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 248-544-1991) hosts the film’s “exclusive Michigan premiere” on Wednesday and Thursday, Feb 2-3. Tickets are $8, and are available in advance. Doors open at 8 p.m., film starts at 9:30, both nights. Smells like a sell-out.

Tags: Alice Cooper, Lemmy Kilmister, Metallica, Motorhead, Ozzy