Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor was the drummer of Motörhead for many years throughout the '70s, '80s and '90s, but now he has sadly passed away. He was 61.
Taylor died last night (November 11). The cause of death hasn't been announced, but Taylor had apparently been sick for some time.
Former Motörhead guitarist Eddie Clarke confirmed the news on Facebook, writing, "My dear friend and brother passed away last night. He had been ill for sometime but that does not make it any easier when the time finally comes. I have known Phil since he was 21 and he was one hell of a character. Fortunately we made some fantastic music together and I have many many fond memories of our time together. Rest in Peace, Phil!"
Motörhead's official Facebook account was updated with the following message: ""Lil' Philthy...he who once shouted 'stop wincing about' on an album...he who fueled many a young boy's punk/metal hairstyles...he who played the drums with fury and intent...he who liked to call people 'wazzocks' once in a while...friend, Roman, Yorkshireman...rest in peace. With much love..."
The British-born musician joined Motörhead during the 1975 sessions for the band's debut album, 1979's On Parole. He left the band for a few years in the mid-'80s but returned, and finally left the band for good in the early '90s. Almost exactly a year ago, last November, he appeared on stage with Motörhead during a show in Birmingham, UK. The photo above shows Taylor (second from the left) on-stage with Motörhead in 2014.
Taylor played in various other projects over the years, and he spent a stint as Frankie Miller's drummer in the '80s. That being said, Motörhead was by far his best-known gig.
UPDATE (11/13, 12 p.m.): Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister has now addressed Taylor's passing in an interview with Classic Rock, telling the publication: "I'm feeling very sad at the moment, in fact devastated, because one of my best friends died yesterday. I miss him already. His name was Phil Taylor, or Philthy Animal, and he was our drummer twice in our career. Now he's died and it really pisses me off that they take somebody like him and leave George Bush alive. So muse on that... We're still going, we're still going strong, it's just first Würzel and now Philthy, it's a shame man. I think this rock 'n' roll business might be bad for the human life."
Taylor died last night (November 11). The cause of death hasn't been announced, but Taylor had apparently been sick for some time.
Former Motörhead guitarist Eddie Clarke confirmed the news on Facebook, writing, "My dear friend and brother passed away last night. He had been ill for sometime but that does not make it any easier when the time finally comes. I have known Phil since he was 21 and he was one hell of a character. Fortunately we made some fantastic music together and I have many many fond memories of our time together. Rest in Peace, Phil!"
Motörhead's official Facebook account was updated with the following message: ""Lil' Philthy...he who once shouted 'stop wincing about' on an album...he who fueled many a young boy's punk/metal hairstyles...he who played the drums with fury and intent...he who liked to call people 'wazzocks' once in a while...friend, Roman, Yorkshireman...rest in peace. With much love..."
The British-born musician joined Motörhead during the 1975 sessions for the band's debut album, 1979's On Parole. He left the band for a few years in the mid-'80s but returned, and finally left the band for good in the early '90s. Almost exactly a year ago, last November, he appeared on stage with Motörhead during a show in Birmingham, UK. The photo above shows Taylor (second from the left) on-stage with Motörhead in 2014.
Taylor played in various other projects over the years, and he spent a stint as Frankie Miller's drummer in the '80s. That being said, Motörhead was by far his best-known gig.
UPDATE (11/13, 12 p.m.): Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister has now addressed Taylor's passing in an interview with Classic Rock, telling the publication: "I'm feeling very sad at the moment, in fact devastated, because one of my best friends died yesterday. I miss him already. His name was Phil Taylor, or Philthy Animal, and he was our drummer twice in our career. Now he's died and it really pisses me off that they take somebody like him and leave George Bush alive. So muse on that... We're still going, we're still going strong, it's just first Würzel and now Philthy, it's a shame man. I think this rock 'n' roll business might be bad for the human life."
