Motörhead’s Mikkey Dee Nearly Died from Sepsis: “Another Day and I’d Be Playing Drums with Lemmy in Heaven”
In a candid and harrowing revelation, Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee has opened up about a near-death experience that almost claimed his life earlier this year. The iconic drummer, best known for his thunderous performances alongside the late Lemmy Kilmister, came terrifyingly close to joining his legendary bandmate when an aggressive case of sepsis landed him in intensive care.
“It was like being hit by a truck,” Dee told Rock Pulse magazine in an exclusive interview. “One day I was feeling a bit under the weather, and the next, I’m being wheeled into an ICU with doctors telling me I might not make it through the night.”
A Silent Killer
Sepsis, a potentially fatal condition triggered by the body’s extreme response to infection, can escalate rapidly. In Dee’s case, the infection started as a seemingly routine bout of food poisoning contracted while on a short break in Southern France.
“I had some bad oysters—figures, right?” he said with a wry laugh, attempting to bring levity to the situation. “Next thing I know, I’m burning up with fever, vomiting, hallucinating… I couldn’t even stand. My wife called the ambulance, and thank God she did. If she had waited until morning, I wouldn’t be here.”
Doctors later confirmed that the infection had spread quickly through his bloodstream, triggering full-blown septic shock. Dee spent four days in intensive care, unconscious for most of it.
“They told me later that my organs were beginning to shut down. Kidneys, liver, heart—they were all struggling. One more day and I’d be playing drums with Lemmy in heaven,” he said, voice cracking as he recalled the ordeal.
A Wake-Up Call
The near-death experience was a shocking wake-up call for the 61-year-old drummer, who, despite decades of hard touring and the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, has always prided himself on his resilience.
“I’ve survived long tours, food poisoning in South America, bar fights in Eastern Europe, and nights on the tour bus that should’ve ended with a funeral. But this? This came out of nowhere. I was helpless.”
Dee, who currently plays with the Scorpions, was forced to cancel several European dates as he underwent a month-long recovery. “My bandmates were incredibly supportive,” he said. “Klaus [Meine] kept checking in, and Rudolf [Schenker] sent me this massive get-well basket with, ironically, no food in it. Just vitamins and hand sanitizer.”
Lemmy in the Room
As he lay in his hospital bed drifting in and out of consciousness, Dee said he felt the presence of his old friend and bandmate, Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister, who died in 2015 from prostate cancer and heart failure.
“There was this moment, I don’t know if it was real or a hallucination, but I swear I saw Lemmy sitting in the corner of the room, smoking a cigarette and sipping Jack like he always did. He just nodded at me, like, ‘Not yet, mate.’ And then he was gone.”
For Dee, that moment—real or imagined—was a turning point. “Lemmy always said death was just another gig. I think he was there to make sure I didn’t miss my cue. I woke up the next day, and the doctors said my vitals were improving. I honestly believe he gave me a kick in the ass from beyond.”
New Perspective
Since recovering, Dee has taken a hard look at his life, both on and off the stage. “I’ve always pushed myself hard. Long nights, loud shows, no sleep, poor diet. That’s the life, right? But now, I’m starting to realize I need to pace myself. I’ve still got years left in me, and I want to spend them wisely.”
He’s also become an outspoken advocate for awareness around sepsis, a condition that kills over 11 million people each year globally.
“Most people don’t even know what sepsis is,” he said. “I didn’t. It’s not like you see posters about it on the subway. But it kills more people than cancer in some countries. That needs to change.”
Dee has already begun working with a Swedish medical nonprofit, Beats Against Sepsis, to help raise awareness and support early detection initiatives. He’s even lending his name and drumsticks to a benefit concert later this year in Stockholm.
“I want people to understand that it can happen to anyone, anywhere. If I can survive it, and get back behind the kit, maybe someone else can too.”
Back Behind the Kit
Now back on his feet—and back on the drums—Dee is channeling his experience into his music. He’s returned to the studio with the Scorpions and says the upcoming album will include a track inspired by his brush with death.
“It’s called ‘One More Day,’ and it’s not a ballad,” he laughed. “It’s loud, fast, and furious. Just the way Lemmy would’ve liked it.”
When asked if he ever considered hanging up the sticks for good, Dee scoffed. “Retire? Not a chance. As long as I can hold drumsticks, I’m gonna hit something with them. That’s what I do. That’s what Lemmy would’ve wanted me to do.”
A Legend Still Beating
Mikkey Dee’s story is a stark reminder that even the toughest rockers aren’t invincible—but they sure as hell don’t go down easy.
“Death came knocking,” he said, “and I told him to piss off.”
Now, with a renewed sense of purpose and a second lease on life, the legendary drummer is more determined than ever to keep the beat alive—for himself, for his fans, and for the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned,” Dee concluded, “it’s this: life is loud, fragile, and fast as hell. So you better play
