Mikkey Dee recently opened up about his journey to joining Motörhead in 1992, revealing that he actually rejected multiple invitations from frontman Lemmy Kilmister before finally accepting the gig.
During an interview with Loudwire discussing his latest musical project, Lex Legion, a group that reunites him with three of his former King Diamond bandmates, the Swedish musician reflected on the early days of his career. According to Mikkey Dee, the first offer to join the iconic rock trio came in the mid-1980s.
“Motörhead asked me in 1986 [or 1987] to join them,” he shared (via Loudwire).
At the time, King Diamond was riding the momentum of their 1986 debut album, Fatal Portrait, which followed the 1985 dissolution of Mercyful Fate. Concurrently, Motörhead had just dropped Orgasmatron, introducing fans to their new four-piece lineup featuring guitarists Phil Campbell and Wurzel, alongside drummer Pete Gill. By 1987, King Diamond was touring across Europe as a supporting act for Motörhead, sharing the bill with the German thrash outfit Destruction.
Despite the incredible opportunity, the drummer respectfully declined the offer.
“I turned them down for two reasons, respectfully. And we kept contact. It wasn’t like I said, ‘F**k no, I’m not coming.’ I was extremely honored, actually. But reason number one was that I was super happy with our band, King Diamond. We were a bunch of friends,” Mikkey Dee explained.
His second reason stemmed from a deep respect for the legendary status of the group.
“I didn’t feel I earned my stripes yet to join a band like Motorhead. So I was smart enough to turn them down a couple times until I actually joined the band. I was mature and I had a bit more experience and routine in my whole body,” Mikkey shared.
Mikkey Dee eventually departed King Diamond after completing four studio records, finishing his contractual obligations with the tracking of the Conspiracy album. His departure came down to a simple realization: “I didn’t think it was that much fun anymore.”
Following his exit, he teamed up with Dokken frontman Don Dokken for his 1990 solo release, Up From the Ashes. The experience revitalized his passion for playing.
“Everything was great fun again. We had a fantastic couple of years. The best college I’d gone through, really,” he noted.
However, the rapidly shifting musical landscape and the explosion of grunge caused the lineup, which featured Europe guitarist John Norum, Accept bassist Peter Baltes, and Watchtower guitarist Billy White, to eventually disband as “Everybody was struggling pretty hard.”
It was during this period of uncertainty that Lemmy Kilmister reached out once again. Mikkey Dee recounted a pivotal conversation with Don Dokken, who recognized that his solo venture had run its course.
“I said, ‘Lemmy called again. I think it’s the third or fourth time now.’ And [Don] said, ‘You should f**king take that.’ I said, ‘Yeah, I’m ready for those guys now.'”
From that point on, Mikkey Dee became an immovable fixture behind the kit for Motörhead, playing on 12 consecutive studio albums ranging from 1993’s Bastards to their 2015 swan song, Bad Magic.
Reflecting on his unwavering loyalty to the group, he stated:
“I would never leave Motörhead ever, ever for any band in the world,” Dee said. “But unfortunately Lemmy passed away. Then Motörhead was over. Period. There will never, ever, ever be another Motörhead again. And now my brother and colleague Phil Campbell [died earlier this year] which is extremely, extremely unfortunate. I’m the last man standing.”
Following the tragic death of Lemmy Kilmister in late 2015, Phil Campbell formed Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, releasing three studio albums. Following the guitarist’s unexpected passing at age 64 in March of 2026, his sons are honoring his legacy by performing as Phil Campbell’s Bastard Sons at the upcoming Hella Rock Festival in the U.K.
When asked about the possibility of an official tribute event honoring his late bandmates, Mikkey Dee confirmed that discussions have taken place.
“We’ve been talking to do a big thing at a point — put a bada** band together and then have guest singers and guitar players on there. We just need to find the time for it.”
While his current commitments with Scorpions and Lex Legion keep him incredibly busy, his historic tenure with the band remains a constant presence in his life.
“I think about Motorhead, not every day, but almost every day.”
