“Motörhead” guitarist Phil Campbell dies at the age of 64

Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell has died following surgery, his family says. His defining guitar sound thrilled fans for decades – the rock world mourns the loss of a legend.

Campbell’s band “Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons” made the sad news public via social media. His children speak out in an emotional statement.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved father Philip Anthony Campbell, who passed away peacefully yesterday evening after a long and brave battle in intensive care following complex, serious surgery.”

Campbell is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren. In the family he is affectionately called “Bampi”.

Campbell shaped the “Motörhead” sound for over three decades

The guitarist joined “Motörhead” in 1984 and remained a central part of the group until the band disbanded in 2015. In the last two decades he has taken on the role of lead guitarist and shaped the band together with the frontman Lemmy Kilmister crucial to the band’s unmistakable sound.

After the death of Lemmy Kilmister in 2015, the story of “Motörhead” ended. The band officially broke up shortly afterwards.

Guitarist Phil Campell and singer Lemmy Kilmister from "Motörhead" — Guitarist Phil Campell and singer Lemmy Kilmister from “Motörhead” Picture Alliance/Jim Ross/Invision/AP

New band with his sons

After “Motörhead” ended, Campbell remained active. Together with his sons he founded the band “Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons”. The group released several albums, most recently the work “Kings Of The Asylum” in 2023.

But health problems were already causing the first warning signs at the beginning of 2026: planned concerts in Australia and Europe were canceled at short notice.