Motorhead drummer Phil 'Philthy Animal' Taylor dies at 61
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Heavy metal band Motorhead says former drummer Phil Taylor, an iconic metal thrasher nicknamed "Philthy Animal," has died. He was 61.
"Fast" Eddie Clarke, guitarist with the Grammy-winning rockers, said on Facebook that Taylor died late Wednesday.
He didn't disclose a cause of death, saying Thursday that Taylor "had been ill for some time but that does not make it any easier when the time finally comes."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}He said Taylor was "one hell of a character."
Taylor drummed on Motorhead's best-known albums, including "Overkill," ''Bomber," ''Ace of Spades" and the live recording "No Sleep 'til Hammersmith."
His distinctive double bass-drum style on tracks like "Overkill" helped define a new genre — thrash metal.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}On Motorhead's Facebook page, the band paid tribute to "Lil' Philthy ... he who fuelled many a young boy's punk/metal hairstyles ... he who played the drums with fury and intent."
Ozzy Osbourne called his death a "terrible, terrible loss."
Taylor left the band in 1984, rejoined in 1987 and left again in 1992.