If you don't know already, the legend himself, Philthy Animal Taylor passed away on the 11th of this month from liver disease. He was 61.
It come as a total shock to me because I'd only logged on to Facebook to check my messages and there it was, black and white, right in front of me. A lot of people had known he'd been ill for a very long time, but no one expected him to die. It was certainly enough for me to change my complete mind set for the rest of the evening, and yes...there was a few tears! The whole world was grieving that night, I'm sure of it. Like many people, the first thing I could do was head to Tumblr and gather up my favourite photos of him to make a special R.I.P montage. Below is my favourite picture of him.
I haven't been a Motorhead fan for long, but when your favourite member and drummer (Philthy in this instance) passes away, part of you dies as well. In a way, he was one of my many heavy metal and hard rock heroes. I think he was a true legend and an asset to the metal industry. Many of my friends and my former art teacher (who got me on to the band in the first place, I can't thank you enough Sir!) have told me stories of what he'd got up to in the past, like gaffer taping drumsticks to his broken hand so he wouldn't have to miss a gig. Pure genius, if you ask me.
Well, it's a comfort that he's not in pain anymore, and I hope he's up there with Wurzel right now. One can dream! 61 is far too young an age to die, like any other, but life goes on.
Rest in peace, Philthy. You're gone but never forgotten.
