Phil Campbell (musician)

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Phil Campbell
Background information
Birth name	Philip Anthony Campbell
Born	May 7, 1961
Origin	Pontypridd, Wales
Genre(s)	Heavy metal Speed metal
Instrument(s)	Guitar
Years active	1984—Present
Associated acts	Motörhead Persian Risk
Website	imotorhead.com

Philip Anthony Campbell (born on May 7, 1961) is the lead guitarist of the British heavy metal band, Motörhead and former guitarist of Persian Risk.

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Early days 1.2 Rise to success 2 Equipment 3 References

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early days

Campbell was born in Pontypridd, Wales and started playing guitar when he was 10 years old, inspired by guitarists such as; Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Jimmy Page, Michael Schenker and Todd Rundgren. At the age of 12, Phil Campbell got Lemmy's autograph after a Hawkwind gig, by the time he was 13, he was playing semi-professionally with a cabaret band at gigs around South Wales. He bought his first Les Paul in 1973; following the fate of many of his guitars, it was stolen.

In 1979 he formed the heavy metal band, Persian Risk, playing on their 7" singles, "Calling For You" (1981) and "Ridin' High" (1983). Compilation albums have been issued which feature some of his work with Persian Risk.

[edit] Rise to success

In 1984, Phil Campbell and Persian Risk supported Motörhead at some of their last dates with Brian Robertson. Motörhead frontman, Lemmy, held auditions for a new guitarist, narrowing the candidates down to two guitarists - Phil Campbell and Michael "Würzel" Burston. Lemmy had at first only wanted to hire one guitarist, but upon hearing Würzel and Campbell play together, Lemmy hired them both.

On February 14, 1984, Motörhead recorded the backing track for The Young Ones episode "Bambi". One of the band's most popular compilations, No Remorse, followed soon after, on September 15. For this the new line-up recorded four songs but would not be able to record a full album until 1986, due to contractual problems with the former record label. However, since then Campbell has appeared on eleven studio albums (including that 1986 album, Orgasmatron (album)) and several live albums and DVDs.

On a personal note, Lemmy confesses that the song "Dog Face Boy" from the 1995 Sacrifice album was inspired by Campbell's looks.^[1]. Campbell has since toured the world with the band and has remained a constant member of Motörhead, despite a number of changes to their line up over the years.

It is not unreasonable to suggest that Campbell doesn't get the recognition he deserves, as Campbell and Dee write the music for Motörhead, with founder Lemmy adding lyrics.

However, his popularity with fans, for his affable personality as much as his music, was shown in an online poll for the 100 Welsh Heroes. This was conducted in the winter of 2003-2004 as a response to the BBC's 100 Greatest Britons poll of 2002. Campbell placed 20th in the poll, in the company of politicians, reformists and statesmen, as well as media figures.

[edit] Equipment

Phil uses a LAG Gibson Explorer-type guitar both live and in the studio, it has two humbuckers and only one volume control.

[edit] References

Motörhead This box: view • talk • edit
Members
Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister - Phil Campbell - Mikkey Dee
Former members: Larry Wallis - "Fast" Eddie Clarke - Brian "Robbo" Robertson - Michael "Würzel" Burston
Lucas Fox - Phil "Philthy Animal" Taylor - Pete Gill - Tommy Aldridge
Discography
Albums: On Parole - Motörhead - Overkill - Bomber - Ace of Spades - No Sleep 'til Hammersmith - Iron Fist - Another Perfect Day - No Remorse - Orgasmatron - Rock 'n' Roll - No Sleep at All - 1916 - March ör Die - Bastards - Sacrifice - Overnight Sensation - Snake Bite Love - Everything Louder Than Everyone Else - We Are Motörhead - The Best Of - Hammered - Live at Brixton Academy - Inferno - BBC Live & In-Session - Kiss of Death
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Motörhead discography - Joe Petagno - Alan Burridge - Headgirl