Phil Campbell, the Motörhead guitarist and backing vocalist, has died. He was 64.
The musician’s sons and bandmates announced that he “passed away peacefully” on Friday night in intensive care, following a “long and courageous battle” after a major operation. The nature of the operation was unclear.
“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 family wrote on their band Phil Cambell & the Bastard Sons’ Instagram.
“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,” they added. “We kindly ask that our family’s privacy is respected during this incredibly difficult time.”
Born May 7, 1961 in Pontypridd, Wales, Campbell began playing guitar as a child, joining the cabaret band Contrast as a teen. He also launched the heavy metal band Persian Risk in 1979.
Following Brian Robertson’s exit from Motörhead in 1984, Campbell auditioned for the open spot and was recruited along with fellow guitarist Michael ‘Würzel’ Burston.
Campbell performed with Motörhead until they disbanded in 2015, following founding member and lead vocalist Lemmy Kilmister’s death at age 70.
In 2016, the guitarist Phil Campbell & the Bastard Sons with his three sons, Todd, Dane and Tyla, before going on to release his debut solo album Old Lions Still Roar in 2019, featuring Alice Cooper and Dee Snider.