Phil Campbell, the longtime guitarist for Motörhead, has passed away at the age of 64.
According to the official Instagram account of his band, Phil Campbell and The Bastard Sons, he died peacefully Friday night after “a long and courageous battle in intensive care following a complex major operation.” The post noted that Campbell was “deeply loved by all who knew him and will be missed immensely,” leaving behind a wife, children, and grandchildren.
Campbell began his music career in the 1970s with the heavy metal band Persian Risk before joining Motörhead in 1984 alongside Michael “Würzel” Burston. After Würzel left the band in 1995, Campbell remained the sole guitarist until Motörhead disbanded in 2015 following the death of frontman Ian ‘Lemmy’ Kilmister. During his tenure, he recorded 16 studio albums with the legendary rock group, which was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.
In 2016, Campbell formed Phil Campbell and The Bastard Sons, releasing their debut album Old Lions Still Roar in 2019. The band had planned a European tour earlier this year, which was canceled on medical advice.
Phil Campbell’s powerful riffs and decades-long contribution to rock music have left a lasting legacy. He was 64.#newsafro_
