Phil Campbell, Longtime Motörhead Guitarist, Dies at 64

Phil Campbell, the longtime guitarist of Motörhead, has died. He was 64.

Campbell’s death was announced Saturday (March 14) through the Instagram account 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 reason for Campbell’s original operation remained unclear at press time.

Born in Wales in 1961, Campbell began his music career in the 1970s with the metal band Persian Risk before being recruited by Lemmy Kilmister to join Motörhead in 1984 following the departure of guitarist Brian Robertson. At the time, Michael “Würzel” Burston was also a guitarist for Motörhead, remaining with the band until 1995.

Campbell’s first album with Motörhead was the band’s seventh, Orgasmatron, released in 1986. He went on to become the group’s longest-tenured guitarist, spending three decades with the band until they disbanded following Kilmister’s death in 2015. Overall, Campbell recorded 16 albums with Motörhead.

After his time in Motörhead, Campbell formed Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons in 2016, and the band released several albums. He released his solo debut, Old Lions Still Roar, in 2019.

The Bastard Sons had been scheduled for a European tour earlier this year, but the outing was canceled “due to medical advice Phil has just received,” the group announced at the time.

Motörhead was nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2020, but Campbell was not initially included among the members considered for induction. Only Kilmister, founding guitarist “Fast” Eddie Clarke, and drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor were nominated. Following an outpouring of support from fans, Campbell and drummer Mikkey Dee were added to the ballot. The band has not yet been inducted.

Dee, who joined Motörhead in 1992 and remained with the band until Kilmister’s death, honored his bandmate on Instagram following Campbell’s passing.

“He was the funniest guy I have ever known and the best rock guitar player I have ever played with,” Dee wrote. “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.”

The drummer continued, “My family and I send our thoughts to Phil’s family. I truly wish them all the best for the future, and I will be right here if they ever need anything. Sleep well, my friend and rock soldier. Say hi to Lemmy, Würzel, Filthy and Eddie. I am sure you’ll be a crazy gang hanging out together again!”