Update: Speaking to Sweden’s Expressen, Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee confirms that “Motörhead is over, of course. Lemmy was Motörhead … We won’t be doing any more tours or anything. And there won’t be any more records. But the brand survives, and Lemmy lives on in the hearts of everyone.”

The singer passed away after being diagnosed with cancer.

Motörhead singer Lemmy has died aged 70 after a short battle with cancer, the band has announced.

“There is no easy way to say this…our mighty, noble friend Lemmy passed away today after a short battle with an extremely aggressive cancer,” the band said on its Facebook page.

“He had learnt of the disease on December 26th, and was at home, sitting in front of his favorite video game from The Rainbow which had recently made it’s way down the street, with his family.”

“We cannot begin to express our shock and sadness, there aren’t words.”

“We will say more in the coming days, but for now, please…play Motörhead loud, play Hawkwind loud, play Lemmy’s music LOUD.”

Born Ian Fraser Kilmister in 1945, Lemmy started out as a bassist and vocalist for Hawkwind in 1972, but formed Motörhead after he was kicked out of the band.

Lemmy was the only constant member of the heavy metal group, which has seen many line-up changes across its four-decade lifespan.