David Farnor | On 23, Jan 2016

A documentary about Motörhead frontman Lemmy has been released exclusively on BBC iPlayer.

Lemmy: In His Own Words, which landed on the Beeb’s VOD service last night, presents a portrait of Ian Fraser Kilmister, who passed away at the end of December 2015.

The film takes a look back through the BBC vaults at one of rock music’s most charismatic figures, compiling performances and interviews from a 50-year career. Footage comes from various BBC programmed, including I’m In A Rock ‘N’ Roll Band! (2010), Forever Young: How Rock ‘n’ Roll Grew Up (2010), Heavy Metal Britannia (2010), Riverside (1982), Later… With Jools Holland (2000), The Young Ones (1984), French & Saunders (1990) and Whistle Test (1985), along with classic Top of the Pops studio performances and some material never previously broadcast.

James Stirling, Editor for BBC Music, says: “Lemmy was a colossal figure in British music and he had a unique approach to both his songs and the industry he found himself in. There was a smart sense of humour at the heart of everything, something clearly demonstrated through his interviews and performances we’ve uncovered from the BBC Music archive.”

The programme is part of a range of exclusive iPlayer content commissioned by BBC Music, from concert recordings, such as Elton” Live At Eden and a David Gilmour and David Bowie gig at the Royal Albert Hall, to festival specials, such as a behind-the-scenes look at Glastonbury and a tour of Bestival with Duran Duran. Radio 6 Music presenter (and Elbow frontman) Guy Garvey has also enjoyed his own iPlayer series, Music Box, while fellow radio presenter Marc Riley also had a live music series commissioned, featuring performances from artists such as Wire, Monotony, Teleman, The Wytches and Jesca Hoop.

Lemmy’s documentary follows a similar tribute to Amy Winehouse, subtitled “In Her Own Words”, which premiered in June 2015, and a live-stream of the singer’s funeral on YouTube, which attracted more than 250,000 views. The 18-minute Lemmy portrait is available on BBC iPlayer until 23rd March 2016.

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