Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell died from multiple-organ failure after suffering complications from a series of necessary surgeries, a coroner’s inquest has heard.
Campbell, who joined Motörhead in 1984 and remained with the band until its dissolution in 2015, died on March 13 at the age of 64. The cause of death was disclosed Friday, October 2, at St. Pancras Coroner’s Court in London.
The Welsh guitarist had two liver transplants at London’s Royal Free Hospital earlier this year. While the second transplant was successful, Campbell subsequently developed complications and underwent bowel surgery. He was later moved to intensive care, where his condition deteriorated rapidly.
Coroner Dr. Richard Brittain recorded the cause of death as multiple-organ failure and concluded the guitarist died from complications arising from necessary surgical procedures.
“My view is that there is nothing here to suggest his death could have been prevented,” Brittain said.
My view is that there is nothing here to suggest his death could have been prevented.”
— Dr. Richard Brittain
The inquest also heard that Campbell had been sober for seven years at the time of his death. He had previously struggled with alcohol and had received treatment for Hepatitis C.
Campbell’s family announced his death in March, saying he had spent a long period in intensive care following what they described as a “complex major operation.” They remembered him as a devoted husband, father and grandfather, known within the family as “Bampi.”
“His legacy, music and the memories he created with so many will live on forever,” the family said.
Motörhead paid tribute to Campbell following his death, describing him as a “wonderful” guitarist, writer, performer and musician who “had Motörhead in his veins.”
The band also remembered Campbell for his sense of humor and his love of life.
“The world has just lost an enormous beam of light, and we are devastated,” Motörhead said.
Campbell was Motörhead’s second-longest-serving member after frontman and bass guitarist Lemmy Kilmister, joining the band in 1984 and helping define its sound with his electric guitar work. He played on every Motörhead album from 1986’s Orgasmatron through 2015’s Bad Magic.
After Motörhead ended following Kilmister’s death in December 2015, Campbell continued performing with his sons Todd, Dane and Tyla in Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons.
