Cemeteries Derbyshire

Pilgrimage to Phil Taylor: Motörhead’s Powerhouse Drummer in Hasland Cemetery

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Cemetery view showing Phil Taylor's grave and surrounding landscape.
A wide view of the cemetery where Motörhead drummer Phil Taylor is interred, showing the black granite headstone in context with the peaceful landscape.
Medium shot of Phil Taylor's headstone with bottles of whiskey, beer, and photo.
Tributes left at the grave of Philip John Taylor, including whiskey bottles, beer cans, and a framed Motörhead photo.
Full view of Phil Taylor's grave, showing the headstone, flowers, and Jack Daniel's.
The final resting place of Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor, adorned with flowers and rock-and-roll tributes like Jack Daniel’s and BrewDog.
Tattoed hand touching Phil Taylor's headstone.
A touching moment at Phil Taylor’s grave, where my hand rests on the engraved inscription.
Close-up of 'Snaggletooth' logo and "PHILTHY ANIMAL" on the grave.
The distinctive Motörhead ‘Snaggletooth’ logo and Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor’s name engraved on his black granite headstone.
Close-up of headstone text and quote: "I'm a little teddy bear I don't swear."
The poignant main inscription on Phil Taylor’s grave, including the dates and the classic, humorous closing quote.
Close-up of Jack Daniel's bottle, red flowers, and BrewDog can at the grave.
A detailed look at the personalized tributes: Jack Daniel’s whiskey, vibrant red chrysanthemums, and a can of BrewDog Lost Lager.
Close-up of wooden drumsticks wrapped with tape at the gravesite.
A close-up of the rock-and-roll tribute: several wooden drumsticks, some with grip tape, left by visitors at the Motörhead drummer’s grave.
Wide shot of the cemetery with autumn trees and a view of the fields.
An atmospheric wide shot capturing the peaceful, rural cemetery where Phil Taylor is buried, surrounded by trees and a view of the landscape.

Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor, Motörhead’s relentless drummer, may have left the stage for the final time, but his legacy pulses strongly for fans of heavy music and dark tourism alike. Resting in Hasland Cemetery, Derbyshire, Taylor’s grave is a quiet, unassuming site — a stark contrast to the roar of the gigs he dominated — yet for fans, it is hallowed ground. Visiting this site is not just paying respects; it is a step into the world of a man whose rhythm defined a generation of chaos.

A Quiet Shrine

Unlike the spectacle of Victoria Hall or the immortal bronze of Lemmy in Burslem, Hasland Cemetery is serene, shaded by trees and lined with gravestones that whisper of lives long past. Phil’s resting place is modest, yet its simplicity amplifies its power: here lies a man whose beats shook arenas, now at rest in solemn quiet. For those who make the journey, it is an intimate encounter with a legend, a moment to reflect on the life behind the music.

Following the Beat of Rebellion

Phil Taylor was more than a drummer — he was a heartbeat of rebellion. His playing was raw, precise, and unyielding, pushing Motörhead’s music to the edge of chaos. Fans visiting his grave are connecting with that energy, tracing the rhythm of a life lived at full throttle. Small offerings — flowers, messages, booze, memorabilia — mark the gravesite as a shrine, a testament to the enduring devotion of those who refuse to let the legend fade.

A Dark Tourism Experience

Dark tourism is about more than morbid curiosity; it is about immersion into lives that straddled the extraordinary and the dangerous. Phil Taylor’s grave represents this perfectly: a real place where history, myth, and fan devotion intersect. It is quiet, reflective, and charged with significance — a stark contrast to the madness of Motörhead gigs, yet no less powerful for those who visit.

Linking the Three Amigos

Phil’s resting place is a key waypoint in the Motörhead pilgrimage. Fans can trace the paths from Lemmy’s memorial in Burslem, to Phil in Hasland, and beyond to Fast Eddie Clarke in Los Angeles, forming a map of devotion that spans continents and decades. Each stop tells part of the story: rebellion, chaos, music, and mortality intertwined.

Read More – The Three Amigos

Read More – Lemmy Kilmister memorial and my personal experience seeing Motörhead live

Tips for Visiting Hasland Cemetery

  • Plan ahead: The cemetery is public, quiet, and reflective; respect the space.
  • Bring flowers or memorabilia if you wish to pay homage.
  • Take your time: this is a place for reflection as much as photography.

Visiting Phil Taylor’s grave is a step into history, a connection to the raw pulse of Motörhead, and a dark pilgrimage for fans who seek more than the music — they seek the myth, the heartbeat, and the man behind it.

Useful Information:

  • 🌎 Location: Hasland Cemetery, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England.
  • ℹ️ Details: The resting place of Philip John Taylor (1954–2015), known as ‘Philthy Animal’
  • ✨ Signature Feature: A pilgrimage spot for Motörhead fans.
  • 🏢 Central Landmark: Hasland Cemetery, opposite St. Paul’s Church, Hasland.
  • 📍 Satnav: Main Cemetery Location
  • 🧭 Coordinates: 53.212613, -1.408049
  • 🅿️ Parking: Small side road next to St. Paul’s Church
  • 🌐 Official Link: Chesterfield Borough Council Bereavement Services

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