Former Motörhead drummer and current Scorpions band member Mikkey Dee revealed he narrowly escaped death after battling a severe sepsis infection during the holidays. In a heartfelt Facebook post on Thursday, the 61-year-old rocker detailed his frightening health scare and his determination to return to the stage.
A Fight for Survival
Dee’s ordeal began after he sprained his foot in early December. What initially seemed minor quickly escalated, leading to severe swelling and an infection that required emergency surgery.
“The ankle swelled up like hell, then it took on a weird shape and appearance and looked like an overcooked ham,” Dee told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.
By Christmas, Dee’s condition had worsened, and he was rushed to Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden.
“I became very ill so I had to go by ambulance to Sahlgrenska and there they found that I had sky-high values, so I became priority one there.”
Doctors quickly diagnosed sepsis, a potentially fatal condition where the body’s response to infection damages its own organs. If left untreated, it can lead to septic shock, organ failure, and death.
Emergency Surgeries and Recovery
Dee underwent three surgeries to remove infected tissue and prevent further damage. Reflecting on the harrowing experience, he said:
“It was surgery right away, the first of three. They cut away what was dead and infected and badly infested. It was not a good journey I was on.”
Acknowledging how close he came to losing his life, Dee added:
“Another day and I’d be playing drums with Lemmy [Kilmister] in heaven. I can say that.”
Lemmy Kilmister, the legendary frontman of Motörhead, passed away in 2015 from aggressive cancer—just four days after his 70th birthday.
Focused on Recovery and Return to the Stage
Now recovering at home, Dee is focused on regaining his strength in time for Scorpions’ Las Vegas residency starting February 27. Despite his near-death experience, Dee is optimistic about the band’s upcoming 2025 plans, which include celebrating 60 years of Scorpions with shows around the world.
“I’m working 100% to be back on the drum stool,” Dee assured fans. “The Stinger is out, and I can’t wait to see you all out there on the road and rock the hell out of you!”
Dee expressed deep gratitude for the care he received at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, crediting the doctors and nurses for saving his life.
“Thankfully, I have received fantastic care… After several operations, I am now back home and the numbers are all going in the right direction. Still lots of recovery and rehab in front of me.”
A Hellraiser’s Reminder
Mikkey Dee’s health scare serves as a stark reminder of how quickly sepsis can escalate and the importance of early medical intervention. Fans can rest assured, however, that Dee’s signature resilience—and rock ‘n’ roll spirit—remain intact as he gears up for what promises to be a landmark year with Scorpions.
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Photo Credit: DFP Photographic / Shutterstock.com