Sculptor who created Lemmy statue in Burslem receives prestigious award

The birthplace of Motörhead legend Lemmy Kilmister has a brand-new reason to celebrate. In Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, a stunning bronze statue of Lemmy now stands proudly in the town’s Market Place — and the artist behind it, Andy Edwards, has just received a major honour for his work.

The statue was officially unveiled on May 9th, and thousands of Motörhead fans gathered to witness the moment. Many travelled from different parts of the UK and even from other countries, proving just how much Lemmy still means to the world. Standing 2.25 meters tall on a 3-meter sandstone plinth, the statue captures Lemmy in one of his classic early-1980s stage poses. It shows him in full performance mode: confident, powerful, and unmistakably himself. Fans at the ceremony were blown away by how lifelike it looked, describing the statue as “incredible” and “full of Lemmy’s spirit.”

Over the weekend, the sculptor behind this masterpiece, Andy Edwards, was awarded the Civic Pride Honour at Staffordshire’s Your Heroes Awards 2025. These awards celebrate people in the community who make a positive impact, and Edwards’ work has clearly done just that.

When he received his award, Andy Edwards spoke to BBC Radio Stoke and admitted he was completely surprised. He said he didn’t expect it at all and felt overwhelmed by the kindness of the people who nominated him. According to him, the recognition “means an incredible amount,” especially because the statue has already brought so many people together.

In fact, Edwards revealed that visitors from more than 60 different countries have come to see the Lemmy statue since its unveiling. This is a huge achievement not just for him but also for the town of Burslem. As he explained, artworks like this can become a gathering point — something that connects people emotionally, even when they come from very different places. The statue has already become a cultural landmark for both rock fans and locals.

Andy Edwards’ connection to this project is deeply personal. Like Lemmy, he was born in Stoke-on-Trent. He grew up admiring Ian Fraser “Lemmy” Kilmister, and creating this statue of one of his heroes was an honour in itself. But this isn’t the first time Edwards has created an iconic piece of public art. His career is full of impressive works. He sculpted The Beatles statue at Liverpool’s Pier Head, which has become one of the most photographed landmarks in the city. He also created statues of The Bee Gees in Douglas on the Isle of Man, the legendary football partnership Brian Clough and Peter Taylor at Derby County’s Pride Park Stadium, and Sir Alex Ferguson at Pittodrie Stadium in Aberdeen.

Each of his works shows the same attention to detail and emotional connection that fans see in the Lemmy statue. Whether it’s musicians, athletes, or cultural heroes, Edwards captures something deeper than just a person’s appearance — he captures their energy, their presence, and their story.

The Lemmy statue is more than just a tribute to a musician. It’s a celebration of local pride, global fandom, and the power of art to bring people together. Andy Edwards’ recent award is well-deserved, and it highlights the impact his work has had on both the community and the many fans who continue to honour Lemmy’s legacy.

Rock legends immortalised as statues:

Lemmy statue in Burslem
Andy Edwards’ astonishingly lifelike statue of late Motörhead legend Lemmy was unveiled in his birthplace of Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent on 9th May 2025. The 2.25m bronze statue stands on a 3m sandstone plinth and depicts Lemmy throwing an iconic stage pose in the early 1980s.

Tina Turner statue in Brownsville, Tennessee

Tina Turner statue in Brownsville, Tennessee
A larger-than-life bronze statue of the late-great Tina Turner was unveiled on Saturday 27th September 2025 in her birthplace of Brownsville, Tennessee. Created by Atlanta-based sculptor Fred Ajanogha (Ajano Art), the seven-foot, nine-inch statue faces Carver High School in Brownsville, where a teenage Anna Mae Bullock attended and played basketball.

Lemmy statue at Hellfest
This colossal statue of Lemmy was revealed at French metal festival Hellfest in Clisson, France in June 2022. Created by French artist and sculptor Caroline Brisset (pictured), the impressive statue was created from steel and concrete, and it replaces the previous Lemmy statue at Hellfest that was erected six years ago.

Marc Bolan statue in Barnes, London
In September 2002, a bust of legendary T. Rex singer Marc Bolan was unveiled at the location of the car crash that claimed his life aged 29. The T. Rex Action Group (TAG) launched Marc Bolan’s Rock Shrine in 1997 (the 20th anniversary of his passing) with a memorial stone, and five years later the bronze sculpture of Bolan was revealed. It was paid for exclusively by T-Rex Action Group founder Fee Warner, sculpted by Canadian sculptor Jean Robillard, and unveiled by Bolan’s son Rolan Bolan. The sculpture features lyrics from Tyrannosaurus Rex’s 1968 song ‘Child Star.’