Burslem, the birthplace of Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister, may soon become home to a dedicated live music venue in his honor. This development comes just weeks after a statue commemorating the iconic musician was unveiled in the city’s Market Place.
Plans are currently being developed to establish an 800-capacity music club to be known as ‘Kilmister Halls‘. The proposed venue would not only serve as a live music hub but would also feature a café and a museum, creating a comprehensive tribute to Lemmy‘s legacy. The project aims to revitalize the currently vacant Queen’s Theatre building on Wedgwood Street.
Leading these ambitious proposals is IFK Legacy CIC, the same company responsible for the 2.25-meter Lemmy statue that was erected in Burslem last month. Organizers are reportedly “looking at procuring the building and raising funds,” according to the BBC.
Local artist Andy Edwards, who sculpted the Lemmy statue, believes the proposed venue could significantly benefit the city’s music scene. In an interview with BBC Radio Stoke, Edwards commented: “We’ve got a big musical heritage in this city and we used to attract the best bands. That’s drifted away and this [new venue] would make a huge difference in getting that back again.” He added that discussions between IFK Legacy and Stoke-On-Trent City Council, which owns Queen’s Theatre, have been “really positive.”
The Queen’s Theatre, a Grade-II listed building, has a history of closures, having first shut its doors in 1998, reopened in 2003, and then closed again in 2014. Its location on Wedgwood Street places it near the newly unveiled Lemmy statue, further centralizing the tribute efforts.
Lemmy Kilmister was born in Burslem on Christmas Eve, 1945. Although he moved at a young age, first to Newcastle-under-Lyme and later spending parts of his childhood in Madeley and Benllech, his birthplace holds a special connection. He founded Motörhead in 1975 following his departure from Hawkwind. Lemmy remained the heavy metal band’s sole constant member throughout their nearly 50-year career. Motörhead effectively disbanded after his passing on December 28, 2015, at the age of 70, just two days after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The recent unveiling of the Lemmy statue in Burslem on May 9 was a poignant event. Stoke-On-Trent Lord Mayor Lyn Sharpe honored his connection to the area, stating, “Lemmy was one of us.” Longtime Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell was also in attendance at the ceremony. The potential addition of ‘Kilmister Halls‘ would further solidify Burslem’s status as a key site for fans wishing to celebrate Lemmy‘s enduring legacy.
