PHIL CAMBELL, former guitarist for MOTORHEAD and guitarist for PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS has died 3/13/2026 after complications from a surgery at 64.
MOTORHEAD unleashed "LIVE AT THE MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL 2007", 6/16/2023 (DOUBLE CD) via SILVER LINING MUSIC.
MOTORHEAD unleashed "𝙎𝙀𝙍𝙄𝙊𝙐𝙎𝙇𝙔 𝗕𝗔𝗗 𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗜𝗖", unleashed 2/24/2023 via SILVER LINING MUSIC.
PHIL
CAMPBELL and MIKKEY DEE, surviving members of British metal legends
MOTORHEAD were at a ceremony at HELLFEST OPEN AIR 2022 for the unveiling
of the LEMMY KILMISTER statue and enshrinement of his ashes. .
LEMMY KILMISTER (IAN FRASER) passed away 12/28/2015 to cancer at 70.
MOTORHEAD unleashed the bands anticipated live release "CLEAN YOUR CLOCK", 5/27/2016 (CD/DVD/BLUE RAY) via UDR MUSIC.
MOTORHEAD released "BAD MAGIC", 8/28/2015 via UDR MUSIC.
FROM PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS:
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.
Phil was a devoted husband, a wonderful father, and a proud and loving grandfather, known affectionately as “Bampi.” He was deeply loved by all who knew him and will be missed immensely. His legacy, music and the memories he created with so many will live on forever.
We kindly ask that our family’s privacy is respected during this incredibly difficult time
FROM MIKKEY DEE (MOTORHEAD, SCORPIONS): :
We got the news this morning, and it’s so extremely sad, about the sudden passing of my brother and dear friend, Phil Campbell.
He was the funniest guy I have ever known and the best rock guitar player I have ever played with. His vibe and feel for rock music were outstanding. We wrote 12 studio albums together, and he never stopped surprising me with his extreme talent. Most of all, I will miss hanging out with the nicest guy you could ever meet.
My family and I send our thoughts to Phil’s family. I truly wish them all the best for the future, and I will be right here if they ever need anything.
Sleep well, my friend and rock soldier. Say hi to Lemmy, Würzel, Filthy and Eddie. I am sure you’ll be a crazy gang hanging out together again!
FROM SAXON:
We are gutted to hear the news about our great friend.
Much love & strength to his family from all of us in Saxon.
FROM MOTORHEAD:
We cannot believe we’re saying this…it is with profound sadness that we have to say Philip Anthony Campbell has passed.
He was Motörhead's guitarist for 31 years (the longest serving member aside from Lemmy) having joined in 1984. After Lemmy’s passing, he was blessed to form Phil Campbell and The Bastard Sons with his sons Todd, Dane and Tyla, which recorded and toured together for years.
Phil was a wonderful guitarist, writer, performer, and musician who had Motörhead in his veins. 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.
FROM NERVOSA:
One of the best moments beside of @phil_campbell_and_the_bs in some festivals around Europe.
Rest in peace legend! Meet Lemmy and continue Motorhead eternally
Thank you so much for the best music and feelings through your unforgettable guitar.
FROM U.D/O.:
Phil, this is very hard to believe.
We have known each other for many years, and today I say goodbye to a great guitarist and a true legend of heavy music.
My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and fans.
Rest in peace, Phil.
Your music will live forever.
FROM SCHMIER (DESTRUCTION):
R.I.P. Phil - you were a true gentleman, one of a kind. I am shocked.
Devastating news while I sit on a broken down tourbus in Seattle … all the fun time we spent will cherish my life till my last day!
You showed us as young kids how it’s done! Thank you for everything, I am heartbroken and deeply saddened, we lost one of the best!
Now say hello to Wurzel and to “the Animal” and please continue to bend that sweet note and your amazing tone in Rock n Roll heaven!
What a bad day for all of us …
FROM OVERKILL:
RIP Phil. Thoughts go out to your family, friends and band members @phil_campbell_and_the_bs @officialmotorhead
FROM BECKY BALDWIN (FURY):
My first concert I begged my parents to let me go to was Official Motörhead
in Bristol in October 2005. I still wear the merch I bought that day,
and I distinctly remember standing in front of Phil Campbell and letting
the speakers rattle through me, thinking “this is the best feeling in
the world”. Many years later, my band Fury got the chance to tour with Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons
through Europe, and was so lucky to call him and his badass family my
friends. So we didn’t know one another for many years, but I’ll always
remember his kindness and support for others and fantastic sense of
humour. I’m sure I’ll still hear more and more stories of pranks and
general wild touring activities from others I meet in this world of rock
n’ roll. I’ll miss his recommendations on where I can find a good pint
of cider wherever I am in the world, and I won’t forget those dozens and
dozens of times I watched Phil play. Another legend who had utmost
respect for his fans and never wanted to stop. Thank you Phil, rest easy
FROM DORO:
I'm at a loss for words. This is so sad... Phil, it was an honor to call you a friend. We will never forget you! Rest in peace!
FROM ACCEPT:
We are deeply saddened to wake up to to the news that our dear brother , the remarkable Phil Campbell , has passed over.
He truly was a musical marvel, a good, kind human being , great friend and we feel honoured to have been able to share some moments in this life with him.
Our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences go out to his boys and family.
@phil_campbell_and_the_bs
FROM OPETH:
”We extend our warmest condolences to the family and friends of Phil Campbell who recently passed away. He was a very nice guy and we met on a few occasions. Mainly festivals when Motörhead were on the bill with us. My most vivid memory of him is bowling together in Los Angeles once, a long time ago. Him and Martin Lopez hit it off I believe. I can’t remember bowling myself that evening, but maybe I was? Phil came across as a very warm and gentle guy without any boring rockstar mannerism (even if he definitely was a rockstar!). It was fun to hang with him. He was cracking jokes left, right and centre and made everybody feel calm. You know, meeting an idol can be intimidating, but with him you felt welcome and just part of the gang. He was also a superb guitarist. Old school and quite underrated I’d say. He had that bluesy vibe to his playing that I always liked. Like Lemmy, Phil Campbell was one of a kind. They don’t make ’em like that anymore. It’s shocking he’s gone. And way too soon! He will be sorely missed by many.”
Mikael Åkerfeldt, March 14, 2026.
FROM NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS:
It was an honour for us to work alongside Phil Cambell and to support the music he made with his sons. Watching that bond of family, riffs and the love of this music passed down through generations was something truly special. Phil lived and breathed heavy metal, and he carried that spirit everywhere he went. He was also one of the most lovely people you could meet.
Our thoughts are with his family, bandmates and the countless fans around the world. Rest in power, Phil
FROM GEEZER BUTLER (BLACK SABBATH):
Sad to hear of the passing of Phil Campbell. We had some fun times when we toured together back in the day. A truly nice man with a wicked sense of humour. Many a laugh was had on that tour, especially when he arrived at a gig in full make-up, skirt and blouse! RIP Phil, say hi to Lemmy [please don’t wear the skirt though]!
FROM SCORPIONS:
Very sad News …
we just learned about the passing of our dear friend Phil Campbell … our heartfelt condolences go out to Mikkey, Phil’s Family and Friends … he was such a sweet guy .. what a loss for the Hard‘n Heavy Community ….
Scorpions
FROM UTOPIA RECORDS:
PHILLIP ANTHONY CAMPBELL R.I.P.
After Lemmy, he was the longest serving member of Motorhead, joining in 1984 and remaining with the band until their final show.
Phil played on sixteen Motorhead albums starting with 1986's Orgasmatron.
Aussie fans welcomed Phil to the fold on the bands inaugural Australian tour in 1984 whey performed a massive 24 shows around the country.
When LEMMY passed he picked up the pieces and began a solo career releasing the album OLD LIONS STILL ROAR in 2019 before forming PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS with his three sons.
You did great bloke, you were Lemmy's right hand man, you were a MEAN MACHINE, you were BUILT FOR SPEED and you were TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, you did absolutely fucking great.
@phil_campbell_and_the_bs @officialmotorhead @persianrisk @utopia
records
FROM TIM RIPPER OWENS:
RIP to Phil Campbell!! This is one of the guys that when I came onto the scene and Motörhead opened for Judas Priest in LA (my first time there), he befriended me and treated me like one of them. We became friends and had so many laughs together! I still have a few of his funny phone messages. He loved music, he loved friends, and he loved his family. He was a legend and I was lucky I got to call him a friend. This is a very sad day for us all. My condolences to his family
Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons
Tim Ripper Owens
FROM JASON BITTNER (SHADOWS FALL):
Woke up to some very Sad news today - my friend Phil Campbell has passed. Phil was one of the sweetest guys I have met in Rock and Metal and he made me laugh my ass off for 3 months straight on a tour and he was a legend!! Go be with your bud Lemmy and turn it up upstairs!!
FROM DESECRATION:
Very sad to hear of the passing of local and international legend Phil Campbell. Motorhead were always a big influence (to us all too i imagine), and we're very grateful to have known the rock n roll gent. Always warm and generous, two immediate stand-out personal memories are our Ollie taxiing him into town after we finished rehearsing (and drinking!) at his techie Tim's lock-up, and when he made me mess up our Glasgow set when he was playing the same night in another part of town! (well ok, that was prob my own fault but still =p )
R.I.P. Phil (no photos I'm afraid, we're just too old (school =p ) )
FROM AIRBOURNE:
We’re deeply saddened to hear of Phil Campbell’s passing today. He was one of the last true Rock’n’Roll heroes on earth, but more than that he was one of the kindest, most generous and warmest people you could meet on this long never ending road.
Rock’n’roll is running out of heroes, but Phil will always be one of them, one of the last really LOUD ones.
Our hearts go out to his family and both the road crews from Motörhead & Phil Campbell and The Bastard Son’s.
From all of Airbourne band and crew.
FROM RAVEN:
Shocked
to hear of Phil’s passing… crossed paths with him many times & he
never forgot to mention “ thanks Mark for lending me trousers to play
that gig in Berlin!!” He was a lovely guy… condolences to his family
& friends….
FROM ONSLAUGHT:
RIP
Phil. Such a massive influence on the band and a true gent, I think
Nige is still hungover from the tour with you back in '87 
Thanks for the memories, thanks for your solo on our cover of Bomber
and thanks for always looking happy to see us. Your music and spirit
will never be forgotten. Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ R.I.P.
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