Photo Credit: Phil Campbell by Pep Bonet (Instagram)
Motörhead superfan-turned-guitarist Phil Campbell, who played with the band for over 30 years, has passed away following “a complex major operation.”
Phil Campbell, guitarist for British metal band Motörhead for over 30 years, has passed away at age 64. Motörhead, as well as his own band, Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, confirmed the news on social media over the weekend. Campbell “passed away peacefully” after spending time in intensive care following “a complex major operation.”
Born in Wales in 1961, Campbell first began playing guitar at age 10, having been influenced by greats like Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, and Todd Rundgren. Only two years later, he met Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister when the latter was playing a show at Cardiff Capitol Theatre with space-rock band Hawkwind. A devoted fan, Campbell waited in the foyer after their set, hoping to meet the group—a meeting that would change the trajectory of his life.
“Lem was the only band member that came out, and he signed my program with his old-style autograph, going all the way down the page on his picture,” Campbell once told Revolver. “If somebody said to me that day that I’d be in a big band with this guy and win Grammys and go around the world, I’d have thought they were crazy. But it just proves anything can happen.”
It wouldn’t be for another 10 years that the two men would cross paths again, but Campbell played with several bands in the meantime, including cabaret group Contrast, pub-rock band Roktopus, and heavy metal outfit Persian Risk.
But after Motörhead’s then-guitarist Brian Robertson left the band in 1984, Campbell auditioned to join. He remained with Motörhead until it disbanded in 2015, following Kilmister’s death.
“He was Motörhead’s guitarist for 31 years (the longest-serving member aside from Lemmy) having joined in 1984,” the band’s statement began. “After Lemmy’s passing, he was blessed to form Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons with his sons Todd, Dane, and Tyla, which recorded and toured together for years.”
“Phil was a wonderful guitarist, writer, performer, and musician who had Motörhead in his veins,” they continued. “He always led with his gift of guitar and carried a great sense of humor, but most of all, Phil led with his heart. You could not be around him without a chuckle or twenty, because quite simply, Phil loved life and lived with great joy.”
“There will be plenty of time for us to share stories—tales of Campbell glory—and some damn good jokes together; for now, please send love and positive energy to [his wife] Gaynor and the boys while affording them time, space, and privacy,” the statement concluded. “Much love and RIP, Phil. The world has just lost an enormous beam of light, and we are devastated.”
Besides his time with the aforementioned bands, Campbell released one solo album, 2019’s Old Lions Still Roar. The project featured Alice Cooper, Dee Snider, Judas Priest’s Rob Halford, and Reggae metal singer Benji Webbe. His most recent release was Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons’ 2023 album, Kings of the Asylum. The group had planned a tour across Europe and Australia this summer, but cancelled in February due to Campbell’s health.
