The rock and metal world woke up to heartbreaking news today. PHIL CAMPBELL, the legendary guitarist best known for his decades with MOTÖRHEAD, has passed away at the age of 64.
The news was confirmed by his band PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS, the group he formed with his sons Todd, Dane, and Tyla following the end of MOTÖRHEAD. In a deeply emotional statement shared by the family, they revealed that Campbell died peacefully after a long and courageous fight in intensive care following a complex major operation.
Remembered not only as a ferocious guitarist but also as a devoted family man, Campbell leaves behind a legacy that stretches far beyond the stage. To his grandchildren he was lovingly known as “Bampi,” and to countless fans around the world he was the smiling Welshman who helped define the sound of one of rock’s most unstoppable bands.
For more than three decades, Campbell stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Lemmy in MOTÖRHEAD. Joining the band in 1984, he would remain a central figure until the band’s final days in 2015. Over those 31 years he became the longest-serving member aside from Lemmy himself, helping shape classic albums like Orgasmatron, 1916, and Bastards. His gritty riffs, razor-sharp solos, and unmistakable rock ’n’ roll feel became an inseparable part of the band’s identity.
Shortly after the news broke, former MOTÖRHEAD drummer Mikkey Dee shared an emotional tribute. Calling Campbell “the funniest guy I have ever known,” Dee remembered their years together writing and recording a dozen studio albums. More than anything, he said he would miss simply hanging out with his friend — the warm-hearted musician whose love for rock music was matched only by his sense of humor.
He ended his message with a bittersweet image: Campbell joining the fallen legends of the MOTÖRHEAD family — Lemmy, Michael “Würzel” Burston, Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor, and Eddie Clarke — somewhere beyond this world, forming what Dee called a “crazy gang hanging out together again.”
Born in Wales, Campbell picked up a guitar at just ten years old and never looked back. By his teenage years he was already playing semi-professionally, eventually forming the heavy metal band PERSIAN RISK before fate intervened. Years earlier, as a young fan at a HAWKWIND concert, he had managed to get Lemmy’s autograph. Not long afterward, he would audition for MOTÖRHEAD — and end up becoming a core part of the band’s history.
After Lemmy’s death in 2015 brought MOTÖRHEAD to an end, Campbell refused to slow down. Instead, he launched PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS with his children, continuing to tour and record with the same raw energy that had defined his career. The band released their third album, Kings Of The Asylum, in 2023, proving that the fire was still burning.
Back in 2019, Campbell also released his long-awaited solo album Old Lions Still Roar, featuring appearances by Rob Halford, Dee Snider, and Alice Cooper — a testament to the respect he commanded across the rock and metal world.
In February, PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS were forced to cancel several tour dates due to medical advice. At the time, little information was shared. Now fans understand why.
Today the metal community mourns the loss of a guitarist whose playing powered some of the loudest, fastest, and most beloved rock records ever made. More importantly, friends and fans remember the man behind the guitar — a musician known for his kindness, humor, and huge heart.
Rest in peace, PHIL CAMPBELL.
The volume just got a little quieter without you. 🎸
