Phil Campbell, Motörhead Guitarist, Dies Aged 64

Phil Campbell, the legendary guitarist of British heavy metal band Motörhead, has died at the age of 64, after spending nearly three decades as a cornerstone of one of rock's most iconic lineups.

The news was announced by his band Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, which also includes his sons. "It is with profound 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 operation," the statement read.

Campbell was born in 1961 in Pontypridd, Wales. His passion for music ignited early: at 12, he discovered Hawkwind — the band where Lemmy Kilmister played bass and sang — and later recalled asking his future bandmate for an autograph. By 13 he had joined his first group, Contrast, and by the late 1970s he co-founded Persian Risk, releasing two singles with them.

Campbell auditioned for Motörhead in 1984 alongside guitarist Würzel — Lemmy hired both. His studio debut came with the album Orgasmatron in 1986, and over the following years he contributed to 16 studio albums, through to Bad Magic in 2015. After Würzel's departure in 1995, Phil Campbell became the band's sole guitarist. In 2005, he took home a Grammy Award as a member of Motörhead.

The band dissolved in 2015 following Lemmy's death. Campbell carried on, founding Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons and releasing his solo album Old Lions Still Roar in 2019.

Phil Campbell leaves behind an enduring legacy in the history of Heavy Metal.