His family have asked for privacy during this ‘incredibly difficult time’
Tributes are pouring in for Motorhead guitarist Phil Campbell who died after a ‘long and courageous’ battle with his health. His family said that the rock star was in intensive care after a ‘complex major operation’.
The 64-year-old, who was born in Pontypridd, Wales, was best known for being Motorhead’s guitarist from 1984 until they broke up in 2015. The band are known for hits Ace of Spades, Overkill, and Born to Raise Hell.
In a statement posted on Facebook, his children shared he died on Friday evening, adding: “His legacy, music and the memories he created with so many will live on forever.”
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The full statement 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.”
Fellow band member Lemmy died in 2015 after a battle with prostate cancer. Phil recently toured with his own band Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, featuring his three sons.
The music legend started playing guitar when he was 10 years old, inspired and influenced by guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page. By the age of 13 he was playing semi-professionally in gigs around south Wales and first met Lemmy after a Hawkwind gid when he asked the singer for his autograph.
When Motorhead held auditions for a new guitarist in 1984, he went along was was hired along with Michael Burston.
The band called it a day after Lemmy’s death saying: “We will not be doing any more tours or anything. And there will not be any more records. But the fire survives, and Lemmy lives on in the hearts of everyone.”
In April 2020, Campbell opened up about how hard it was to see Lemmy struggle towards the end of his life saying that Lemmy “wasn’t quite himself” and that he had been “ageing a little bit more” on Motörhead’s final tour. He also admitted that the end of Motörhead was not easy to adjust to at first.