Burslem, the ‘Mother Town’ of The Potteries, could become an unlikely pilgrimage for fans of legendary rock band Motorhead.
Plans have been unveiled to erect a statue of the band’s frontman Lemmy in his hometown, crafted by the artist behind the world-famous Beatles statue on Liverpool’s waterfront – with hopes that it could be followed by a branded café, bar or even a visitor centre.
Sculpted in Staffordshire clay before being cast in bronze, the hoped-for statue will show the Stoke-on-Trent rock legend performing at the height of his fame in the early 1980s and would stand in the Market Place on an eight-foot plinth resembling an overhanging stage.
One of The Potteries’ most famous sons, Lemmy – born Ian Fraser Kilmister – formed the British heavy metal band Motorhead in 1975 and was singer and bassist with them until his death from cancer at the age of 70 in 2015.
Born in Burslem – one of the six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent – he later moved with his family to Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire, although he spent much of his childhood in Wales.
Often said to have one of the most recognisable and iconic voices in rock, he went on to record more than 20 studio albums with the band, which is probably best known for the 1980 single Ace of Spades.
As well as the statue of Lemmy the plinth will feature the Motorhead logo, personal and career details, a dedication and the names of 100 fans and celebrities who have supported the project.
The proposals will now go before councillors for the statue to be created by sculptor Andy Edwards, which organisers hope will help make Burslem a place for pilgrimage for the band’s fans across the world, as well as a showpiece artwork for other visitors.
For many years, Burslem was the largest town in The Potteries – regarded as the spiritual home of British ceramics – and where Josiah Wedgwood began to develop modern pottery production techniques.
For more information on Stoke-on-Trent as a destination, see www.visitstoke.co.uk
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