Former Motörhead drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor passed away on November 11, at 61 years of age. Frontman Lemmy Kilmister told UK's Classic Rock that he is “very sad” and “devastated” about the death of Taylor and he also remembered form guitarist Michael "Würzel" Burston in 2011. 

Lemmy said: "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.

“We're still going, we're still going strong, it's just first Würzel and now Philthy, it's a shame man. I think this rock 'n' roll business might be bad for the human life."

Taylor's former bandmate “Fast” Eddie Clarke broke the sad news via his official Facebook page.

Motörhead have since taken to social media with the following tribute: “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... with much love.”

“Fast” Eddie Clarke’s original message: “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!”

Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor played in Motörhead from 1975 to 1984, and from 1987 to 1992.