Phil Campbell, the Welsh guitarist best known for his decades with heavy metal pioneers Motörhead, has died at the age of 64, his family announced on Saturday. The statement said Campbell passed away after “a long and courageous battle in intensive care after a complex major operation,” and asked for privacy as the family grieves.
Born in Pontypridd, South Wales, in 1961, Campbell taught himself guitar from age 10, drawing early inspiration from Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. Before joining Motörhead, he played in local outfits including cabaret band Contrast and bar group Roktopus, and was a member of metal act Persian Risk, appearing on the singles “Calling for You” and “Ridin’ High” before leaving the band prior to their 1986 debut album.
Campbell joined Motörhead in 1984 alongside fellow guitarist Michael “Würzel” Burston. The pairing replaced Brian “Robbo” Robertson and made their recording debut on the band’s 1986 album Orgasmatron. While Würzel left in 1995, Campbell remained a fixture of the group, ultimately becoming the longest‑serving guitarist in Motörhead’s history and recording 16 albums with the band before the death of frontman Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister in 2015.
A representative for Motörhead, speaking to Entertainment Weekly, paid tribute to Campbell’s musicianship and character, saying he “was a wonderful guitarist, writer, performer, and musician who had Motörhead in his veins,” and recalling his humour and warmth. “The world has just lost an enormous beam of light, and we are devastated,” the band’s statement concluded, while urging fans to send support to Campbell’s wife, Gaynor, and their sons.
After Motörhead ended with Lemmy’s death, Campbell rebuilt his career with Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, a band he formed in 2016 featuring his sons Todd, Dane and Tyla alongside vocalist Neil Starr. The group released The Age of Absurdity in 2018 and We’re the Bastards in 2020; live and studio albums in 2023—Live in the North and Kings of the Asylum—featured Joel Peters on vocals following Starr’s departure. Campbell also released a solo record, Old Lions Still Roar, in 2019, which included guest appearances from Alice Cooper, Rob Halford and Dee Snider.
Campbell’s family described him as “a devoted husband, a wonderful father, and a proud and loving grandfather, known affectionately as ‘Bampi.’” He is survived by his wife, Gaynor, and their sons Todd, Dane and Tyla. The family asked for privacy as they make arrangements; further details on memorials or tributes have not yet been released.
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