Motorhead Ex-Drummer Phil 'Philty Animal' Taylor Dead At 61: The Big Four Mourns
Former Motorhead drummer Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor died on November 11, 2015 at the age of 61, according to Blabbermouth.
"My dear friend and brother passed away last night...he was one hell of a character," said Guitarist "Fast" Edie Clarke. He announced the news on Facebook.
"Fortunately we made some fantastic music together and I have many, many fond memories of our time together," continued Clarke, cites BBC.
Taylor played with the heavy metal band for 14 years, with frontman Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister and Eddie. Phil replaced first drummer Lucas fox and was able to join on time to play on the debut album, "On Parole" in 1975.
He played on Motorhead's biggest hit "Ace of Spades" and the trio's iconic "Overkill". He left the band in 1984 and rejoined in 1987 until he parted ways with the group, RollingStone cited.
Ozzy Osbourne heard about Phil's passing and said in a statement, "terrible, terrible loss". He was a great friend - great drummer, a great guy and he will be dearly missed.
Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, offered his sympathies on Twitter.
Sad sad news about losing Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor. One of the best drummers in Rock n Roll. RIP Phil, you will be missed. A lot.
— Slash (@Slash) November 12, 2015 ">
Taylor fueled many a young boy's punk/metal hairstyles and played the drums with fury and intent, Motorhead posted on Facebook.
Philthy Animal is the man who invented thrash metal. "Motorhead was the first time I heard double bass done at that pattern.'' said Dave Lombardo, drummer of the band Slayer; in the Metal Evolution documentary on thrash, reveals The Guardian.
Lemmy has always played rock 'n' roll and it was Taylor, who took it over the top and made it thrash.
Motorhead wasn't punk rock. They were the first band to harness that energy and in the process, they created speed metal and thrash metal.
The Big Four - Slayer, Metallica, Anthrax, and Megadeth jammed together in 2011, and played Motorhead's Overkill.
James Hetfield dedicates the song to the band and mentioned that they grew up listening to the Godfathers of Metal.
