‘Live to Win’ Documentary Chronicles Making of Lemmy Kilmister Statue [Watch]
It's been almost one full year since we tragically lost the beloved Lemmy Kilmister. Throughout the year, tributes to the Motorhead frontman have been ceaseless, with one of the most remarkable being the bronze statue that now sits inside the patio area of the frontman's favorite haunt: the Rainbow Bar and Grill. A mini-documentary, Live to Win, has been made (seen above), detailing the ambitious project from its idea state through fruition.
Directed by Rocio Romero, the nearly six-minute documentary opens up with a clip of Lemmy's onstage introduction before panning to a shot outside of the legendary Rainbow. Next onscreen are Katon and Anne De Pena (Katon is the frontman for thrash outfit Hirax), who served as the development directors for the statue. Katon mentions how he casually made a Facebook post stating there should be a statue of Lem at the Rainbow and it took off from there.
The two also explain the process of getting this idea off the ground and the crowdfunding efforts used to source more than $20,000. Also featured is Mikey Maglieri, owner of the Rainbow and artist Travis Moore, who was tasked with the making of the statue. Moore recalls offering to help, explaining they were looking for the perfect look that would both personify Lem and respect his legacy. He then takes viewers through the early stages of constructing the statue, which began with an 18 inch rendering done with wire, foil and clay.
In an interview with Loudwire, Moore mentioned the debate that ensued when striving to find the perfect representation of Lemmy to immortalize him in. "I think the main thing is they wanted to find a picture that typified him. I mean that’s an atypical look for a person, but it typified him," the artist began. "And I know they were searching for that hat-coat combo and Robert John had taken so many good pictures of him and I think that was about the time that they were at the GRAMMYs and 'Ace of Spades' was re-charting and there was really a resurgence for him and you can see that it was a happy time and he looks healthy and good. We just wanted to stay away from portraying him in a way that wouldn’t be proper, and he needed to be rocking, a tough looking dude with a full face and that was the idea."
The stature was unveiled on Aug. 24 to a massive crowd all present at the Rainbow Bar and Grill (photos below) to pay their respects to the late icon as well as celebrate his ever-lasting legacy. Lemmy passed away on Dec. 28 after being diagnosed with terminal neck and brain cancer. His cause of death, however, was prostate cancer, cardiac arrhythmia and congestive heart failure.
It should be noted that Motorhead's management are seeking a local L.A. muralist painter that is interested in providing their services to paint a celebratory mural commemorating the life of Lemmy on the side wall of The Roxy Theater, which faces the patio area that is being re-named "Lemmy's Lounge" at the Rainbow. Interested parties are asked to submit their info here by Dec. 24.
Photos From the Unveiling of the Lemmy Kilmister Statue
10 Unforgettable Lemmy Kilmister Moments