LONDON -- Motorhead's former drummer Phil Taylor died aged 61 on Wednesday.
The sticksman, who was often known by his nickname Philthy Animal, laid down the rhythms for all the metal band's classic tracks including "Ace of Spades" and "Overkill."
Guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clarke revealed the news on his Facebook page Thursday, says that his "dear friend and brother" had passed away. "He had been ill for some time but that does not make it any easier when the time finally comes," he said.
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));My dear friend and brother passed away last night. He had been ill for sometime but that does not make it any easier...Posted by Fast Eddie Clarke Official on Thursday, 12 November 2015
The band's official Facebook page paid tribute to "he who played the drums with fury and intent."
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));Lil' Philthy...he who once shouted 'stop wincing about' on an album...he who fueled many a young boy's punk/metal...Posted by Official Motörhead on Thursday, 12 November 2015
Taylor played with the band, including Clarke and frontman Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister, from their formation in 1975 until 1984. He rejoined in 1987 and stayed with them until 1992, when he was fired for failing to learn the drum track to "I Ain't No Nice Guy." He last played onstage with them in California that year.
During his years with the band he played drums on all their seminal albums, Overkill, Bomber, Ace of Spades and live album No Sleep 'til Hammersmith.
Ozzy Osbourne was among the musicians paying tribute, saying it was a "terrible, terrible loss".
"Rest in peace" he wrote, "and he still owes me 500 bucks from that time in Vegas."
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));Just heard about Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor's passing. It's a terrible terrible loss. He was a great friend - great...Posted by Ozzy Osbourne on Thursday, 12 November 2015