Legendary Welsh guitarist passed away peacefully after intensive care battle, family announces
Phil Campbell, the longtime ‘Motörhead‘ guitarist and later leader of ‘Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons‘, has passed away at the age of 64. His passing was announced on March 14 in a statement shared by his family and by the band that includes his sons.
In their message on social media, Campbell’s family said he died peacefully on the night of March 13 after spending time in intensive care following a “complex major operation.”
“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,” they wrote. “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. We kindly ask that our family’s privacy is respected during this incredibly difficult time.”
Campbell was born in 1961 in Pontypridd, Wales. In 1979, he helped found the Welsh outfit ‘Persian Risk’, before joining ‘Motörhead’ in 1984, auditioning at the same time as Michael “Würzel” Burston, with both getting the gig and turning the band into a quartet.
His first recorded appearance with ‘Motörhead’ was on 1986’s “Orgasmatron,” and he remained a member of the band until they ended following Lemmy Kilmister’s death in 2015. In 2016, he formed ‘The Bastard Sons’ with his literal sons Tyla, Todd and Dane, releasing four albums, most recently 2023’s “Kings of the Asylum.” He also released an all-star solo album, “Old Lions Still Roar,” in 2019, featuring ‘Judas Priest’s’ Rob Halford, ‘Twisted Sister’s’ Dee Snider, ‘Skindred’s’ Benji Webbe and ‘Orange Goblin’s’ Ben Ward among others.
Campbell’s death prompted tributes from fellow musicians, with ‘Doro Pesch’ writing on Instagram that she was “at a loss for words” and calling it an honour to have been his friend. Former bandmate Mikkey Dee also praised Campbell’s personality and playing, calling him “the funniest guy” he had ever known and “the best rock guitar player” he had played with.
In recent months, ‘Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons’ had cancelled an Australian tour on medical advice, with the band pulling out of their scheduled headlining appearance at Takedown Festival due to Phil’s health, saying his wellbeing would remain the top priority.
Campbell’s legacy now rests in decades of recorded work and the generations of players influenced by his signature ‘Motörhead’ riffs. All Metal sends its deepest sympathies to Phil’s family and friends.
