MOTÖRHEAD DRUMMER 'PHILTHY ANIMAL' TAYLOR'S KIT UP FOR AUCTION
16th November 2017



phil taylor motorhead

Former Motörhead drummer, the late Phil 'Philthy Animal' Taylor's original Camco drum kit with shark motif bass drumskins is up for auction at Bonhams.

These iconic original bass drum skins appeared on Phil's drum kits at numerous live shows and recordings throughout the 1980s, some of which include Top Of The Pops in 1980, the official music video for 'Ace Of Spades', released in 1980, and Motörhead's live show in Nottingham.

The Bonham's auction brochure describes the items as:

"Mirror finish, comprising; two 24 x 14inch bass drums each fitted with original front skins bearing shark teeth motifs and with an original Motörhead sticker, two original black wooden front head hoops, an 18inch floor Tom, a 16inch hanging Tom, a 15inch hanging Tom, and a 14inch hanging Tom. 'Cloud' badge.

"Each drum head on the Toms fitted with a clear Remo CS Black Dot. Accompanied by three vintage drum cases including a Le Blond bass drum case, one double braced double tom stand, various spare Remo CS Black Dot clear heads and various spare Camco lugs, dampers, and accessories."

phil taylor motorhead

Philthy, who sadly passed away in November 2015, just over a month before Motörhead mainman Lemmy, took up drumming in the early 1970s. Legend has it that he was a Leeds United football hooligan at the time and his father said "if you want to hit something, hit these drums".

He joined Motörhead during the recording of the band's first album, 'On Parole', in 1975, after original drummer Lucas Fox left. According to Lemmy's autobiography, 'White Line Fever':

"We decided that Lucas had to go, because he was starting to get very weird. He was trying to keep up with my speed habit, and of course you can't."

Then-guitarist Larry Wallis was particularly taken with Phil during his audition, continues Lemmy in his book:

"What a horrible little fucker!" he chortled. "He's fucking perfect!"

phil taylor motorhead

Phil provided a frenetic double bass drum barrage which created a new genre, Thrash Metal. Motörhead are often also credited as the first Speed Metal band due to the sensational drumming on 'Overkill', the title track of the second album.

Bonham's state provenance, which is statement of ownership, as:

"Given to the vendor by his friend, another fellow drummer, who had acquired it from a private sale in the early 1990s."

The auction takes place on 13th December at 12.00GMT and the starting price is £5,000 to £7,000. It's Lot 93 in auction 24241 at bonhams.com.

phil taylor motorhead