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Phil Campbell

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Phil Campbell

1961 – 2026 · aged 64 · rock guitarist

“Motörhead guitarist for 31 years and leader of Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons.”

Portrait: Jonas Rogowski / Wikimedia Commons

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Philip Anthony Campbell was a Welsh rock guitarist best known for his 31 years in Motörhead, the second longest serving member after Lemmy Kilmister. Born in Pontypridd on 7 May 1961, he started playing guitar at ten, drawn to players such as Jimi Hendrix, Tony Iommi, Jimmy Page, Jan Akkerman,…

Philip Anthony Campbell was a Welsh rock guitarist best known for his 31 years in Motörhead, the second longest serving member after Lemmy Kilmister. Born in Pontypridd on 7 May 1961, he started playing guitar at ten, drawn to players such as Jimi Hendrix, Tony Iommi, Jimmy Page, Jan Akkerman, Michael Schenker and Todd Rundgren. At twelve he met Lemmy after a Hawkwind show and asked for an autograph. By fourteen he was playing semi-professionally with the cabaret band Contrast, then with the South Wales pub-rock group Roktopus.

In 1979 he formed the heavy metal band Persian Risk, appearing on the singles Calling for You (1981) and Ridin' High (1983). On 8 February 1984, after Brian Robertson left Motörhead, the band auditioned guitarists and hired both Campbell and Michael "Würzel" Burston. Campbell stayed through the band's final years, appearing on studio albums from Orgasmatron (1986) to Bad Magic (2015) and touring worldwide. After Lemmy's death in December 2015, Motörhead disbanded. Campbell later spoke about how hard it had been to watch Lemmy decline on the final tour.

Outside Motörhead he released the solo album Old Lions Still Roar (2019), with guest vocals from Alice Cooper, Rob Halford, Dee Snider and others, and led Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons with his sons Todd, Dane and Tyla. That band issued an EP in 2016 and albums including The Age of Absurdity (2018), We're the Bastards (2020) and Kings of the Asylum (2023). He lived in Pontypridd with his wife Gaynor and their children.

Campbell died in hospital on 13 March 2026, aged 64, after complications from major surgery. Motörhead announced his death the next day and asked for privacy for Gaynor and their sons. An inquest at St Pancras Coroner's Court in London on 2 October 2026 recorded the cause as multi-organ failure following recognised complications of necessary procedures, including two liver transplants and bowel surgery at the Royal Free Hospital. The coroner found the death could not have been prevented. He was buried in Wales on 13 May 2026. The family endorsed donations to the Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary.

Biography adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); Motörhead official site; The Independent / PA inquest report; Chaoszine; People magazine.

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Phil Campbell of Motörhead at Wacken Open Air 2013
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Tributes

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Wait, what. I literally had something of his on in the background twenty minutes ago. That's a gut punch.

Bram Nilsson6h ago

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same, saw it pop up and just stopped

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6 people are remembering Phil here. Every candle here is someone saying they were glad Phil lived. No account needed; it takes a moment and it stays here.

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Hyejin Han🇺🇸7h ago
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Death

He died in hospital on 13 March 2026 at age 64 after a complex major operation and intensive care. Motörhead announced the death on 14 March. An inquest at St Pancras Coroner's Court on 2 October 2026 recorded multi-organ failure after complications of necessary surgeries at the Royal Free Hospital in London, including two liver transplants and bowel surgery. Coroner…

He died in hospital on 13 March 2026 at age 64 after a complex major operation and intensive care. Motörhead announced the death on 14 March. An inquest at St Pancras Coroner's Court on 2 October 2026 recorded multi-organ failure after complications of necessary surgeries at the Royal Free Hospital in London, including two liver transplants and bowel surgery. Coroner Dr Richard Brittain said the death could not have been prevented. He was buried in Wales on 13 May 2026.

Early life

Philip Anthony Campbell was born in Pontypridd, Wales, on 7 May 1961. He began guitar at age ten and by twelve had met Lemmy after a Hawkwind gig. As a teenager he played with Contrast and Roktopus around South Wales and bought his first Les Paul in London in 1978.

Philip Anthony Campbell was born in Pontypridd, Wales, on 7 May 1961. He began guitar at age ten and by twelve had met Lemmy after a Hawkwind gig. As a teenager he played with Contrast and Roktopus around South Wales and bought his first Les Paul in London in 1978.

Career

He founded Persian Risk in 1979, then joined Motörhead with Würzel in February 1984 and remained until the band ended after Lemmy's death in 2015. He played on Motörhead albums from Orgasmatron through Bad Magic. Later work included Old Lions Still Roar (2019) and Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons with his sons, releasing The Age of Absurdity, We're the…

He founded Persian Risk in 1979, then joined Motörhead with Würzel in February 1984 and remained until the band ended after Lemmy's death in 2015. He played on Motörhead albums from Orgasmatron through Bad Magic. Later work included Old Lions Still Roar (2019) and Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons with his sons, releasing The Age of Absurdity, We're the Bastards, Live in the North and Kings of the Asylum.

Personal life

Campbell lived in Pontypridd with his wife Gaynor and their sons Todd, Dane and Tyla, who later played with him in Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons. After Motörhead ended he described adjusting to life without the band as difficult. The family later asked for donations to the Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary in his memory.

Campbell lived in Pontypridd with his wife Gaynor and their sons Todd, Dane and Tyla, who later played with him in Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons. After Motörhead ended he described adjusting to life without the band as difficult. The family later asked for donations to the Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary in his memory.

Legacy

Campbell is remembered as Motörhead's longest serving guitarist after Lemmy and as a bridge between the band's classic era and later line-ups. Tributes stressed his playing, humour and family band with his sons. Motörhead called him an enormous beam of light and asked fans to support Gaynor and the boys.

Campbell is remembered as Motörhead's longest serving guitarist after Lemmy and as a bridge between the band's classic era and later line-ups. Tributes stressed his playing, humour and family band with his sons. Motörhead called him an enormous beam of light and asked fans to support Gaynor and the boys.

Questions people ask about Phil

When did Phil Campbell die?
He died on 13 March 2026 at age 64. Motörhead announced his death the following day.
How did Phil Campbell die?
An inquest in London on 2 October 2026 recorded multi-organ failure after complications of necessary surgeries, including liver transplants and bowel surgery at the Royal Free Hospital. The coroner said the death could not have been prevented.
What was Phil Campbell known for?
He was Motörhead's guitarist from 1984 until the band disbanded in 2015 after Lemmy's death, then led Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons with his sons.
Where was Phil Campbell born?
He was born in Pontypridd, Wales, on 7 May 1961.
Who was Phil Campbell's wife?
He was married to Gaynor Campbell. Motörhead's tribute asked for privacy for Gaynor and their sons.

Written by People Forever from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) and the reporting cited. Updated . Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

Timeline

  1. 7 May 1961
    Born in Pontypridd, Wales
  2. 7 May 1961
    Born in Pontypridd, Wales
  3. 1 January 1979
    Forms Persian Risk
  4. 8 February 1984
    Joins Motörhead with Würzel
  5. 1 December 2015
    Motörhead ends after Lemmy's death
  6. 25 October 2019
    Releases solo album Old Lions Still Roar
  7. 13 March 2026
    Dies in London hospital aged 64
  8. 13 March 2026
    Died in Royal Free Hospital, London, England
  9. 13 May 2026
    Buried in Wales
  10. 2 October 2026
    Inquest records multi-organ failure after surgery
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