Motorhead guitarist Phil Campbell died from multi-organ failure, inquest hears

Published: 08:01 EDT, 2 October 2026 | Updated: 08:03 EDT, 2 October 2026 Motorhead guitarist Phil Campbell died from multi-organ failure after suffering complications following 'necessary' surgeries, an inquest has heard.The Welsh rock star, who was the band's guitarist from 1984 until it disbanded in 2015, died aged 64 on March 13.Campbell suffered complications after multiple surgeries, and his death could not have been prevented, St Pancras Coroner's Court heard on Friday.The Pontypridd-born guitarist underwent two liver transplants and bowel surgery at the Royal Free Hospital in London earlier this year.The inquest heard he had previously drunk alcohol to excess but had been sober for seven years by the time of his death.Campbell had suffered from Hepatitis-C, but the inquest heard this had been treated.While the second of the two liver transplants was successful, Campbell suffered further complications.He underwent bowel surgery and was moved to intensive care, where he deteriorated rapidly.Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell (pictured in Paris in September 2019) died in March this year The musician's son Todd Campbell attended an inquest at St Pancras Coroner's Court today Motörhead at the 2005 Grammy Awards - left to right: Lemmy, Mikkey Dee and Phil Campbell Phil Campbell's family announced his death earlier this year, posting on Instagram a statement alongside a black and white photo of the guitarist with his wife GaynorHe died in hospital on March 13, with his cause of death recorded as multi-organ failure by coroner Dr Richard Brittain.Dr Brittain said: 'My view is that there is nothing here to suggest his death could have been prevented.'He summarised that Campbell died from 'recognised complications of necessary surgical procedures'.Motorhead was founded in 1975 by the bass player and singer Lemmy, whose real name was Ian Kilmister.The group helped pioneer heavy metal music in Britain with a string of top ten albums including 1980 hit Ace Of Spades, 1981's No Sleep Til Hammersmith and 1982's Iron Fist.Campbell was the second longest serving Motorhead bandmember, after Lemmy, and went on to record music and tour with his sons, Todd, Dane and Tyla as the group Phil Campbell and The B*****d Sons.The group took to Instagram with a statement alongside a black and white picture of Phil with his beloved wife Gaynor following the death in March this year.It read: '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'.