The news has hit the rock world hard with the passing of Phil Campbell, longtime guitarist for Motörhead. Born in Pontypridd and always proud of his Welsh background, the musician first met future bandmate Lemmy at just 12 years old while getting an autograph at a Hawkwind concert. He cut his teeth in pub rock groups before joining the cult heavy metal act Persian Risk. When Brian Robertson exited Motörhead, Lemmy auditioned players and ended up taking on both Campbell and Wurzel. That updated lineup appeared on the BBC sitcom The Young Ones within days, and Campbell stayed a central figure through three decades of the band’s career until its end after Lemmy‘s death.
Campbell went on to release his first solo record Old Lions Still Roar back in 2019 with high-profile guests including Alice Cooper on vocals. His three sons formed part of his live setup on the road. One of his last outings came at a sold-out performance at the Muni arts centre right in his hometown of Pontypridd.
The family confirmed details through a Facebook post after he underwent a major complex operation. They spoke of him as a committed husband, outstanding father and affectionate grandfather known to them as ‘Bampi’. He leaves behind a deep impact on those who knew him, with his body of work and shared experiences set to endure.
