Former MOTÖRHEAD guitarist Phil Campbell has died at the age of 64. His passing was announced in a social media post on the social media of his band PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS, in which he was joined by his sons Todd, Dane and Tyla.
The message reads: “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.”
In February PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS canceled its previously announced shows in Australia and Europe from March to May “due to medical advice Phil has just received“. No further details were made available at that time.
Campbell was a member of MOTÖRHEAD from 1984 through 2015, and for the last 20 years of the band’s existence was its sole guitarist, appearing on classic releases such as ‘Orgasmatron’, ‘1916’ and ‘Bastards’, among others. With MOTÖRHEAD founder Lemmy‘s 2015 passing, MOTÖRHEAD came to an abrupt end.
Phil began his musical journey at age 10, when he picked up a guitar for the very first time. By the time he turned 13 he semi-professionally partook in a cabaret band called CONTRAST. Later on he was playing all across South Wales in a band called ROCKTOPUS and in the year of 1979 he formed the heavy metal band PERSIAN RISK.
PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS released their third album, ‘Kings Of The Asylum’, in September 2023 through Nuclear Blast Records. It was PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS‘ first and only studio release to feature singer Joel Peters.