MOTÖRHEAD's LEMMY Says Fans Were Unbelievably Supportive When He Got Sick

MOTÖRHEAD mainman Lemmy Kilmister spoke to Rolling Stone magazine about the band's decision to cancel a European tour at the end of last year due to his ongoing health problems. Since being diagnosed with diabetes in 2000, Lemmy has had to have a defibrillator installed in his heart, and more recently suffered from an "unspecified hematoma," which led to the cancellation of several European shows last summer. As a result, he has had to make some difficult adjustments. His drinking has slowed to a trickle, and the two packs of Marlboro Reds he used to smoke each day are down to one or two cigarettes a day. "Let's face it — it isn't as much fun," said Lemmy. "But it can't be as much fun if I die. I don't believe that's much fun, either."

He added: "I suddenly realized I was waking up in pools of other people's vomit, and I had no recollection of them. That's a bit much. I'm not saying don't have fun, don't snort the occasional line — but don't make it your life."

According to Lemmy, fans have been incredibly supportive during his recovery. "Oh, man, the kids were unbelievable when I got sick," he said. "No bitching. It was all 'Take your time, get better. Don't worry, we'll wait for you. Get well.'"

Lemmy, who turned 68 years old in December, told Classic Rock he didn't expect to still be here at 30,

"I don't do regrets," he said. "Regrets are pointless. It's too late for regrets. You've already done it, haven't you? You've lived your life. No point wishing you could change it.

"There are a couple of things I might have done differently, but nothing major; nothing that would have made that much of a difference.

"I'm pretty happy with the way things have turned out. I like to think I've brought a lot of joy to a lot of people all over the world. I'm true to myself and I'm straight with people."

Asked if his illness last year has made him more aware of his own mortality, Lemmy said: "Death is an inevitability, isn't it? You become more aware of that when you get to my age. I don't worry about it. I'm ready for it. When I go, I want to go doing what I do best. If I died tomorrow, I couldn't complain. It's been good."

MOTÖRHEAD's European tour has been rescheduled for February, with a U.S. tour to follow in March.