Phil Campbell, guitarist and longest serving member of Motörhead aside from band founder Lemmy Kilmister, passed away at the age of 64. His band, Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, announced his passing via social media writing: “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.”
Campbell was in Motörhead from 1984 up until Lemmy’s death in 2015. He was the band’s sole guitarist in their last 20 years of existence, and outside of lyrics, was considered the group’s primary musical songwriter during that time.
Former Judas Priest singer Tim “Ripper” Owens shared his condolences writing: “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.”
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