Former Motorhead drummer Phil Taylor, a.k.a "Philthy Animal," died Wednesday at the age of 61.
Taylor's bandmate and Motorhead guitarist Eddie Clarke announced the sad news on Facebook Thursday.
"He has been ill for sometime but that does not make it any easier when the time finally comes," wrote Clarke, according to Entertainment Weekly. "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!"
Taylor, whose cause of death was not revealed, was part of the British heavy metal band for 14 years; from 1975 to 1984 and 1987 to 1992. The double-bass drummer performed on many of the group's famous albums, including "Overkill," ''Bomber," ''Ace of Spades" and the live recording "No Sleep 'til Hammersmith," according to The Associated Press.
English singer Ozzy Osbourne paid tribute to the late Motorhead drummer on his Facebook page. "Just heard about Phil 'Philthy Animal' Taylor's passing. It's a terrible terrible loss. He was a great friend - great drummer - a great guy and he will be dearly missed," Osbourne wrote in the post.
"Today is a very sad day for me. Rest in peace - and he still owes me 500 bucks from that time in Vegas," he quipped.