Motörhead remembers Phil Campbell in a new statement

Motörhead remembers the late guitarist Phil Campbell in a new statement posted on the social media accounts of the band.

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.

Born in Pontypridd, Campbell began playing the guitar at the age of ten. He was influenced and inspired by guitarists like Todd Rundgren, Michael Schenker, Jan Akkerman, Jimi Hendrix, Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin. After a Hawkwind performance, Campbell, then twelve, met Lemmy and requested an autograph. Campbell began performing semi-professionally with a cabaret group called Contrast when he was thirteen years old. Later, he performed at shows in and around South Wales with a pub-rock group named Roktopus(not to be confused with Rocktopus). In 1978, he purchased his first Les Paul during a New Year’s Day guitar sale at a store on London’s Ealing Broadway. Later on, the instrument was taken and then given back.