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Phil Campbell, the longtime guitarist for Motörhead, has died, Fox News Digital can confirm. He was 64 years old.
Motörhead released a statement on social media, saying, “We can’t believe we’re saying this…it’s with great sadness that Philip Anthony Campbell has passed.”
This group described him as a singer who led with his heart as a talent.
“Phil was an amazing musician, writer, singer, and musician who had Motörhead in his veins. He always led with his gift for the guitar, and he had a great sense of humor, but above all, Phil led with his heart. You couldn’t be around him without a chuckle or twenty, because quite simply, Phil loved life and lived with great joy,” the statement read.
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Phil Campbell, Motörhead’s longtime guitarist, has died aged 64. (Chiaki Nozu/WireImage/Getty Images)
As fans and friends mourn his passing, the band asked Campbell’s family for privacy. “We’ll have plenty of time to share stories — tales of Campbell’s glory — and some great jokes together; in the meantime, please send love and positive energy to Gaynor and the boys while giving them time, space, and privacy,” they said.
The tribute ended on a note of sadness and praise: “Lots of love and RIP Phil. The world just lost a great ray of light, and we are devastated.”
An additional statement shared on the Instagram account of his band, Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, read, “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 the intensive care unit after major and complex surgery.”
“Phil was a devoted husband, a wonderful father, and a proud and loving grandfather, known as ‘Bampi.’ He was loved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed. His legacy, the music and the memories he created with so many will live on forever. “
The statement concluded, “We kindly ask that our family’s privacy be respected during this incredibly difficult time.”
Born in Pontypridd, Wales, Campbell came to prominence in the late 1970s with the heavy metal band Persian Risk. But his career — and rock history — changed in 1984, when Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister asked him to replace Brian Robertson on guitar, according to Rolling Stone.
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Phil Campbell of Motörhead performs at Glastonbury Festival on June 26, 2015. (Tabatha Fireman/Redferns via Getty Images)
Campbell debuted on Motörhead’s 1986 album “Orgasmatron,” and quickly became the band’s longest-serving guitarist.
Over 31 years with the band, he recorded 16 studio albums and laid down some of the most memorable hits on songs like “Deaf Forever,” “Eat the Rich” and “Born to Raise Hell.”
Even after Motörhead disbanded following Kilmister’s death in 2015, Campbell kept the music alive.
(L–R) Phil Campbell, Lemmy Kilmister and Mikkey Dee of Motörhead attend the 57th Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 8, 2015, Los Angeles, California. (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
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He released his first solo album, “Old Lions Still Roar,” in 2019 and toured with his sons Phil Campbell and Bastard Sons.
Former Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee called Campbell “the funniest guy I’ve ever known and the best rock guitarist I’ve ever played with.”
Phil Campbell performs at Café de la Danse on September 27, 2019, in Paris, France. (David Wolff – Patrick/Redferns/Getty Images)
Dee added on Instagram, “Most of all, I’ll miss meeting the nicest guy you’ll ever meet… Sleep well, my friend and rock soldier. Say hello to Lemmy, Würzel, Filthy and Eddie. I’m sure you’ll be a crazy group hanging out together again!”
Campbell’s death is the latest in a series of losses for Motörhead fans.
Guitarist “Fast Eddie” Clarke, who helped shape the band’s classic sound, died in 2018 at the age of 67.
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Clarke, who joined the band shortly after it was founded in 1975 by Kilmister, was the last member of the band’s classic lineup and helped record hits like “Ace of Spades.”
