Tonight I would ask for a moment of silence for former Motörhead drummer Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor, who passed away last night at the age of 61, but silence is not something associated with the band and he'd mostly likely prefer some rowdy noise anyway.

Taylor played in Motörhead from 1975 to 1984 appearing in the band's classic trio line-up of bassist/rock-n-roll bad ass archetype Lemmy Kilmister and guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clark. During those years the band recorded some of the most definitive and influential albums of their career such as Ace Of Spades, which still serves as a blueprint to many a punk & metal band, and the explosion of speed and distortion live album No Sleep Til Hammersmith.

Phil left the band after the release of their 1983 album Another Perfect Day but again rejoined in 1987. Asked about his absence from the band in an interview "I always regretted leaving. Let's just say I took a three-year holiday." He exited from Motorhead for good in 1992.

After hearing of the news former bandmate Clarke wrote on his Facebook page this morning "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!"

What are you listening to tonight?