The Early Days: Creamed Rice and Cold Food
Before rising to fame, Lemmy's diet was a matter of circumstance rather than choice. In his younger years living in cramped flats, resources were scarce. As he recounted in an interview, the main food staple was often tinned creamed rice, which he would consume directly from the can. His habit of eating cold food was also born out of necessity when touring and on the road with other bands like Hawkwind, stealing uneaten leftovers from hotel trays.
Life on the Road: A Diet of Sandwiches and Stealing
Even after achieving fame and having access to better food, Lemmy maintained some of his simple habits. Accounts from those who toured with him reveal his peculiar choice of post-show sustenance: a simple white bread sandwich. A former touring partner noted that Lemmy was content with this for decades, suggesting a preference for routine over lavish rockstar riders.
The Jack and Coke Era
The most famous component of Lemmy's diet was his legendary daily consumption of Jack Daniel's whiskey mixed with Coca-Cola. For decades, this was his drink of choice, with some reports alleging he drank a full bottle every day. The combination was so intertwined with his image that after his death, fans petitioned to rename the cocktail 'The Lemmy'. His reliance on alcohol was complemented by a long-term amphetamine habit, which helped fuel his relentless touring schedule but also contributed to his thin frame and long-term health issues.
The Late-Life Health Scare and Changes
In his later years, Lemmy's hard-partying lifestyle finally took its toll on his body. After being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2011, he was advised by doctors to curb his drinking and smoking. This led to one of the biggest changes in his routine: switching from sugary Jack and Coke to the less sugary vodka and orange juice. He also reportedly cut his smoking habit from two packs a day to one. During a period of fluid retention, doctors discovered he had been binging on blueberries as a replacement for drinking, proving his tendency for excess even with healthier foods.
A Comparison of Lemmy's Diet
| Aspect | Early Career (Pre-2011) | Later Years (Post-2011) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Drink | Jack Daniel's and Coke | Vodka and orange juice |
| Alcohol Consumption | Reportedly a bottle a day | Cut down to fewer daily drinks |
| Snacks | Sandwiches (baked beans, anchovy), cold chips, cold pizza | Still enjoyed sandwiches, but also binged on blueberries |
| Drug Use | Heavy, long-term amphetamine use | Continued speed use daily |
| Smoking | Chain-smoked (up to 2 packs daily) | Reduced to one pack per day |
| Dietary Pattern | Highly inconsistent, based on convenience | Still inconsistent, but with some attempts at healthier substitutions |
| Health Issues | Mostly unacknowledged, despite toxicity reports | Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, heart issues |
The Role of Lifestyle and Attitude
Lemmy's diet cannot be separated from his broader rock and roll philosophy. He famously told doctors he'd rather die than quit drinking, and his overall attitude was one of defiant authenticity. His survival for as long as he did, despite his famously unhealthy lifestyle, was a subject of fascination and often disbelief. His longevity was, in a sense, an anomaly—a testament to his own rugged constitution rather than any dietary wisdom. His death from aggressive cancer and heart failure in 2015 ultimately demonstrated the unsustainable nature of his habits.
Lemmy's Odd Eating Habits:
- Stealing Food: In his pre-fame days, he would steal cold, uneaten food from hotel room service trays.
- Ambrosia Creamed Rice: A favorite simple and cheap food from his youth, sucked straight from the can.
- Cold Pizza: Considered a perfect breakfast by Lemmy, usually with plenty of salt.
- Sandwich Preference: Post-show sandwiches on white bread were a consistent fixture, featuring fillings like cold baked beans or anchovies.
- Dislike of Vegetables: Aside from potatoes and green beans, Lemmy publicly stated his aversion to most vegetables, particularly onions and Brussels sprouts.
Conclusion
What was Lemmy Kilmister's diet? It was a reflection of his chaotic, no-compromise lifestyle: a reckless blend of legendary alcohol intake and haphazard food choices. While he made some forced adjustments late in life due to his diabetes diagnosis, his dietary history remains a testament to his authentic, unapologetic rock and roll spirit rather than a model for healthy living. The man known for his Jack and Coke and gravelly voice truly lived to win, but ultimately lost the battle to the cumulative effects of his extreme habits. More insights into his life can be found in his autobiography, White Line Fever.
