Motörhead Guitarist Phil Campbell Dead At 64

Phil Campbell, the longtime guitarist for Motörhead, has died at the age of 64.

The news was shared through social media by Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, the band Campbell formed alongside his sons Todd, Dane, and Tyla. According to the statement, Campbell passed away peacefully after complications stemming from a major operation.

In a heartfelt message, the band wrote:

“We cannot believe we’re saying this…it is with profound sadness that we have to say Philip Anthony Campbell has passed.

He was Motörhead’s guitarist for 31 years (the longest serving member aside from Lemmy) having joined in 1984. After Lemmy’s passing, he was blessed to form Phil Campbell and The Bastard Sons with his sons Todd, Dane and Tyla, which recorded and toured together for years.

Phil was a wonderful guitarist, writer, performer, and musician who had Motörhead in his veins. He always led with his gift of guitar, and carried a great sense of humour, but most of all, Phil led with his heart. You could not be around him without a chuckle or twenty, because quite simply, Phil loved life and lived it with great joy.

There will be plenty of time for us to share stories -tales of Campbell glory- and some damn good jokes together; for now, please send love and positive energy to Gaynor and the boys while affording them time, space, and privacy.

Much love and RIP Phil. The world has just lost an enormous beam of light, and we are devastated.

The family also asked for privacy as they grieve the loss.”

Earlier this year, Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons canceled a string of planned tour dates across Australia and Europe scheduled between March and May after Campbell was advised to step away from performing for medical reasons. No further details were revealed at the time.

Campbell joined Motörhead in 1984 and remained with the band until it came to an end following the 2015 death of frontman Lemmy Kilmister. Across more than three decades with the group, Campbell became a defining part of Motörhead’s sound and ultimately served as the band’s sole guitarist during the final twenty years of its run.

After Lemmy’s passing brought Motörhead to a close, Campbell continued making music by launching Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons with his sons. The band would go on to tour internationally and release new material, carrying forward Campbell’s unmistakable heavy metal legacy.

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