Op woensdag 11 november overleed origineel Motörhead drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor aan de gevolgen van een niet nader bekend gemaakte ziekte. Taylor maakte de roemruchte beginjaren van de band mee van 1975 tot 1984 en drumde op tal van Motörhead klassiekers als Bomber, Overkill, Iron Fist en natuurlijk Ace Of Spades. Na zijn vertrek bij Lemmy en co. speelde hij een tijdje in de band Waysted samen met UFO bassist Pete Way. In 1987 keerde hij terug bij Motörhead om in 1992 weer te vertrekken.

Voormalig Motörhead guitarist ‘Fast’ Eddie Clarke liet via sociale media de volgende boodschap achter: “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!”

Lemmy meldde: “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.”

Ozzy Osbourne: “It’s a terrible, terrible loss. He was a great friend – great drummer — a great guy and he will be dearly missed. Today is a very sad day for me. Rest in peace — and he still owes me 500 bucks from that time in Vegas.”

Metallica: “RIP Phil ‘Philthy Animal’ Taylor. You inspired us beyond words.”

Slash: “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.”

Dave Mustaine (Megadeth): “I am very sad to hear about the passing of Phil ‘Philthy Animal’ Taylor. My condolences to his family. Rest In Peace Phil.”

Mike Portnoy: “RIP Philthy Animal Taylor. Motorhead’s Overkill was one of the first double bass songs I ever learned.”

Arejay Hale (Halestorm): “RIP Philthy Animal Taylor, you crazy motherfucker! Go rock some heavenly drums and make the angels deaf.”

In november 2014 was de originele Motörhead line up met Lemmy en Eddie Clarke even bijeen in de National Indoor Arena te Birmingham. Het zou het laatste samenzijn van een legendarische hardrock band. Phil Taylor is 61 jaar oud geworden.