Plans for a new statue of Motörhead bassist-vocalist Lemmy Kilmister in the UK town where he was born have been approved — but not without concern from local law enforcement.
The BBC reports that plans for the monument in the town of Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, were greenlit following amendments that would thwart what police called "good-natured but potentially incident generating attention."
Per the broadcaster, those cop concerns included "fans, footballer supporters or late night revellers potentially climbing" the statue to swill Jack Daniel's pose with the late rock icon's likeness. This led to height of the plinth for the statue being increased from two and half metres to three.
BBC notes how Staffordshire Police also raised concerns over a proposed microphone stand component of the statue, specifically that it could be "subjected to criminal damage." Revised plans have now moved the mic stand — raised and angled as the Motörhead frontman liked — closer to the statue's body for greater security.
Designed by sculptor Andy Edwards — whose work includes a statue of the Beatles in Pier Head, Liverpool — the Lemmy statue in Burslem will depict the artist born Ian Fraser Kilmister with his bass guitar, singing into the raised microphone.
Kilmister founded Motörhead in 1975 following time with Hawkwind, and fronted the band until his death in 2015 at age 70.
Via a GoFundMe campaign, statue planners have at present raised £4,512 of their £50,000 goal to pay for the monument.
