Discover why May 8th is officially Motörhead Day—honouring Lemmy, Ace of Spades, and 50 years of rock and metal legacy.
Motörhead Day is officially celebrated on May 8th. This day pays tribute to the legendary band and its frontman, Lemmy Kilmister, and was chosen to commemorate the anniversary of the release of their iconic album Ace of Spades. In 2025, May 8th also marks a special event in Stoke-on-Trent, Lemmy’s hometown, where a statue in his honor was unveiled. Various activities were held to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary, reinforcing the significance of this date as International Motörhead Day.
Motörhead was a highly influential British rock and heavy metal band founded in London in 1975 by Lemmy Kilmister, who remained the frontman, vocalist, bassist, and principal songwriter until the group disbanded in 2015 following his death.
Lemmy formed Motörhead after being dismissed from Hawkwind, naming the new group after a song he had written for them. Known for their fast, aggressive sound—a fusion of heavy metal, punk, and rock and roll—Motörhead became pioneers of speed metal. Their classic lineup, featuring Lemmy, guitarist “Fast” Eddie Clarke, and drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor, is the most iconic.
The band rose to fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s with landmark albums like Overkill, Bomber, Ace of Spades, and No Sleep 'til Hammersmith. Their music and rebellious attitude earned them both loyal fans and fierce critics, with Motörhead even being dubbed “the loudest band in the world.” Known for their relentless work ethic and fast-paced recording style, the band’s legacy endures—fuelled by Lemmy’s larger-than-life persona and lasting influence on heavy metal and rock music.
Their most-streamed song—and the band’s ultimate anthem—is none other than Ace of Spades.
