Legendary Metal Guitarist Has Died
Former guitarist for iconic metal band, Motorhead, has died.
His sons announced his death, in a statement “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.”
Motorhead Honored Him on Their Socials
törhead wrote that Campbell was “a wonderful guitarist, writer, performer, and musician who had Motörhead in his veins”, adding: “He always led with his gift of guitar, and carried a great sense of humour, but most of all, Phil led with his heart. You could not be around him without a chuckle or twenty, because quite simply, Phil loved life and lived it with great joy.”
“There will be plenty of time for us to share stories – tales of Campbell glory – and some damn good jokes together; for now, please send love and positive energy to Gaynor and the boys while affording them time, space, and privacy. Much love and RIP Phil. The world has just lost an enormous beam of light, and we are devastated,” they added.
Forty Years of Thrash Metal
Motorhead disbanded in 2015 following the death of lead singer and bassist Lemmy Kilmister, who died at age 70 from cancer. He served as frontman for the band for four decades. During those forty years and played alongside Campbell for 31 years, they produced 22 studio albums.
Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix influenced his guitar playing. He started strumming around age 12. He joined Motorhead in 1984 after Brian Robertson left the band. He was known for his signature riffs, playing fan favorites, “Ace of Spades,” “No Class,” “Overkill” “Hellraiser,” “Shake Your Blood,” and “Dead Men Tell No Tales.”
Lemmy was also a Hendrix fan, both musically and how well he handled drugs. “Jimi taught me how to find drugs in the most unlikely places because that was part of my job for him,” Lemmy told Revolver. “That's how I learned to function on five hits of acid. But I also learned about theatrics and performing. Jimi was so effortlessly cool and he would move like an elegant spider.”
Collectively, the band was notorious for their antics on and off stage. But some of it paid off. In 2005 they won the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance.
Campbell was a beloved father, husband, and known as “Bampi” to his grandkids.