Motorhead drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor has passed away at age 61. According to his bandmate “Fast” Eddie Clarke, Taylor had been sick and died on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
"My dear friend and brother passed away last night," Clarke wrote on Facebook. "He had been ill for some time 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!"
The drummer performed with the British heavy metal band from 1975 to 1984. After taking a break from Motorhead, he regrouped with the band in 1987, but was fired in 1992 after he failed to learn the drums for the track “I Ain’t No Nice Guy.”
Last November, Taylor reunited (but didn’t perform) with the group onstage in Birmingham.
“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, Derbyshireman…rest in peace,” a post on the band’s official Facebook read. “With much love.”