Phil Campbell, Longtime Motorhead Guitarist, Dead at 64

Phil Campbell, longtime guitarist for the Lemmy Kilmister-led metal band Motörhead, has died at the age of 64.

The guitarist’s death was announced Saturday on the social media accounts for his band Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Philip Anthony Campbell, who passed away peacefully last night following a long and courageous battle in intensive care after a complex major operation,” the statement read.

“Phil was a devoted husband, a wonderful father, and a proud and loving grandfather, known affectionately as ‘Bampi’. He was deeply loved by all who knew him and will be missed immensely. His legacy, music and the memories he created with so many will live on forever.”

The Wales-born Campbell formed the British heavy metal band Persian Risk in the late Seventies, spending five years in that group before he was recruited by Lemmy to join Motörhead in 1984 following the exit of guitarist Brian Robertson.

Campbell’s stint with Motörhead began with their seventh album 1986’s Orgasmatron, and he would ultimately serve as the band’s longest tenured guitarist, spending 31 years in Motörhead until they disbanded following the Lemmy’s death in 2015. During his run, Campbell recorded 16 studio albums with Motörhead, and contributed the riffs to tracks like “Deaf Forever,” “Eat the Rich,” and “Born to Raise Hell.”

Post-Motörhead, Campbell released his first solo album Old Lions Still Roar in 2019, as well as a trio of albums fronting the Bastard Sons; Campbell and the Bastard Sons were scheduled to tour Europe earlier this year, but the tour was canceled “due to medical advice Phil has just received,” the band said at the time.

When Motörhead for nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020, Campbell was not among the members initially considered for induction; only Lemmy, founding guitarist “Fast” Eddie Clarke and drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor were nominated. However, following fan outcry, Campbell and drummer Mikkey Dee were added to the ballot.

Dee, who joined Motörhead in 1992 and remained until Lemmy’s death, paid tribute to his longtime band mate Campbell on social media Saturday.

“He was the funniest guy I have ever known and the best rock guitar player I have ever played with. His vibe and feel for rock music were outstanding. We wrote 12 studio albums together, and he never stopped surprising me with his extreme talent. Most of all, I will miss hanging out with the nicest guy you could ever meet,” Dee wrote.