Celebrity
Phil Campbell, the legendary Motörhead guitarist, has died at the age of 64 after undergoing major surgery.
Iconic Motörhead Guitarist Phil Campbell Dies at 64 After Major Surgery
The guitarist Phil Campbell, one of the most celebrated members of Motörhead, has passed away at the age of 64. It was Paul Campbell and The Bastard Sons, the band composed of his sons Todd, Dane and Tyla, who broke the news of his death.
The statement released today says that Phil died after a “long and brave fight in intensive care following a complicated operation.”
Campbell was the guitarist for Motörhead from 1984 to 2015 when the band ended after the death of Lemmy Kilmister, the founding member. He played with a forceful style that was a major element of the band’s signature sound and he forever changed the face of rock music.
Tributes Keep Coming for Phil Campbell After His Death
The death announcement for Phil Campbell was posted by the band on Instagram with a picture of Phil and his wife, Gaynor. The post was as follows:
“With heavy hearts, we share the news that our dear father, Philip Anthony Campbell, has left us. He passed away peacefully last night after a long, brave struggle in intensive care following a complicated major operation.
Phil was not only a committed husband but also an excellent father and a proud, loving grandfather, affectionately known as ‘Bampi.’ He was so very much loved by everyone who knew him and will be missed greatly. His music, his legacy, and the countless memories that he has made with so many people will always continue.”
At the end, they asked for privacy, “We would greatly appreciate it if you could respect our family’s privacy during this extremely difficult time.”
Many celebrity friends and fans paid their respects to the legendary guitarist in the comment section. Chris Caffery, who has shared the stage with Motörhead, said, “RIP to my favorite rock star ever. This news really breaks my heart. Sending my prayers and hugs to his family.”
Music Greats Remember Phil Campbell
Musicians and fans alike kept posting tributes to Phil Campbell. The guitarist Alex Skolnick tweeted: “I’ll always remember him with @officialmotorhead very well (and some of the funniest tour stories). My sympathies to the entire Phil camp. He was a true original both onstage and off. Rest in peace PC.”
Phil was born in Pontypridd. He got into music when he was a kid, first playing the guitar at 10 years old. He admired greats such as Jimi Hendrix, Tony Iommi from Black Sabbath, and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin. By the time he was 13, he was already performing semi-professionally as part of a cabaret band called Contrast. He was also part of the founding of Persian Risk, and then he joined Motörhead in 1984, becoming the main element of their sound for more than thirty years.
Phil impressed with his heavy guitar riffs and charismatic character, and left a permanent imprint on rock music. Fans and fellow artists alike will remember him as a truly unique person, both on and off the stage.
Phil Campbell’s Legacy: From Motörhead to Family Band
Phil Campbell tried out together with Michael “Würzel” Burston for the position in Motörhead. Both of them eventually got the job and the band became a four-piece. Phil was the guitarist who played with Motörhead for the longest time, he held the position until the band broke up in 2015 after the death of the founder Lemmy Kilmister.
In 2016, Phil started a new band with his sons called Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons. The band already released four albums with their powerful rock music and Phil is still carrying on the musical heritage. Also, Phil came out with a solo album in 2019.
Recently, the band had to cancel their scheduled headlining performance at Takedown Festival because of Phil’s health problems which were the main reason he was facing difficulties in his last years.
