Phil Campbell has passed away at 64 years old

Legendary guitarist Phil Campbell, of Motorhead and Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, has passed away at 64 years old. From the Chaoszine team, our deepest sympathies to Campbell’s family, friends and loved ones.

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.

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.

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.

After Brian Robertson left, Motörhead held tryouts for a replacement guitarist on February 8, 1984. Two guitarists, Michael “Würzel” Burston and Philip Campbell, were selected. Lemmy had originally intended to hire just one guitarist, but after hearing Özel and Campbell perform together, he decided to hire both of them. The Young Ones’ “Bambi” episode included Motörhead as a musical guest on February 14, 1984. Soon after, on September 15, the band issued “No Remorse”, one of their most well-known compilations. After that, Campbell went on a global tour with the group and stayed with Motörhead until their breakup.