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Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell died from complications of 'necessary' surgeries, coroner rules

From the Newshound archive · first published 2 October 2026 · last updated 3 October 2026.

Phil Campbell, Motörhead's Welsh guitarist, who died aged 64 after complications from two liver transplants and bowel surgery, had been sober for seven years by the time of his death.
Phil Campbell, Motörhead's Welsh guitarist, who died aged 64 after complications from two liver transplants and bowel surgery, had been sober for seven years by the time of his death.

Phil Campbell, Motörhead's longest-serving guitarist after Lemmy, died on 13 March aged 64 following two liver transplants and bowel surgery at the Royal Free Hospital in London. At St Pancras Coroner's Court on Friday, Coroner Dr Richard Brittain recorded multi-organ failure as the cause of death, finding that nothing could have been done to prevent it. The Pontypridd-born rock star had battled Hepatitis C and a history of excessive drinking, though he had been sober for seven years by the time he died.

The second liver transplant went well, but Campbell's condition quickly deteriorated after the bowel operation; he was transferred to intensive care, where he died.

His family called him a 'devoted husband, wonderful father and proud grandfather' who endured a 'long and courageous battle' in intensive care.

Campbell, who joined Motörhead in 1984, had kept making music alongside his sons Todd, Dane and Tyla in Phil Campbell and the B****** Sons.

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