Motörhead: Fan backing campaign for statue of frontman Lemmy

Peter Lang-Stephens, 65, is campaigning alongside fellow fans, commercial developer Mark Curran and sculptor Andy Edwards – who created the world-famous Beatles statue in Liverpool’s Waterfront – for funds to build the statue in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent,

Peter, who is originally from Cornwall but has lived in North Berwick for 14 years, was a roadie for bands including The Police, and a singer for a punk band called The Bad Shapes in the late ’70s.

He became a fan of Motörhead after attending a concert in Plymouth in 1977.

He said: “I had always been a punk, back in the ’70s, so for a punk to go to a metal concert was something that just didn’t happen because it could cause a lot of problems.

“I ended up being chased out of the concert but Lemmy stopped them and I was taken backstage, where I met members of the band.

“Years later I introduced the band to my kids and I joined the fan club, Motörhead Bangers.”

Plans are in place to have the statue built in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent

A resident of Kirk Ports, and with two now grown-up daughters who attended Law Primary and North Berwick High School, Peter founded Motörhead Wörld in 2019, after the fan club he was a member of – Motörhead Bangers – closed down when its founder fell ill.

And while Peter said he may be the only member in the county, he has met many fans from across the world.

He said: “After Motörhead Bangers ended I had people saying to me to start my own group and that’s how Motörhead Wörld was created.

“We now have over 28,000 members and sub-groups across the world in places like Chile, Ukraine and Bosnia.

“It is a way for fans to interact, plan for concerts, and also raise money for charity.”

One member of the club is Hollywood star Jason Momoa, known for his roles in films including Aquaman and also Game of Thrones.

Peter Lang-Stephens hopes to have the statue built in 2023

Peter said: “I have spoken with Jason over email and he has backed the statue, too.

“We are hoping he might come over when it gets built, which would be amazing because I imagine he would draw crowds in himself.

“The biggest backing we have had, though, was from Lemmy’s son, Paul.

“He is very keen for it to be built. I think having family back the plans is very important.”

Hollywood star Jason Momoa has backed the plans for a statue

The final planning application for the £50,000, five-metre tall statue is expected to be approved in the next couple of weeks.

The ‘Lemmy Statue and Motörhead Project’ has also purchased Burslem’s Queen’s Theatre, which Peter, Mark and Andy plan to turn into an arts centre.

Peter, who worked in the health and social care industry for 36 years and is now retired, said: “This is a big project. The statue is expected to cost about £50,000.

“We have said that the first 500 people to donate £10 will have their name on a plaque below the statue.

“We are confident of raising the funds and we hope to have it built by the end of the year.”