| Phil Campbell
Philip Anthony Campbell, born on May 7, 1961 in Pontypridd, Wales, is the lead guitarist of the British heavy metal band, Mot�rhead and former guitarist of Persian Risk.
Campbell started playing guitar when he was 10 years old, inspired by guitarists such as; Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Jimmy Page, Michael Schenker and Todd Rundgren. 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.
Mot�rhead
In 1984, following the departure of Brian Robertson, Mot�rhead frontman, Lemmy Kilminster, held auditions for a new guitarist, narrowing the candidates down to two guitarists - Phil Campbell and Michael "W�rzel" Burston. Lemmy had first only to hire one guitarist, but upon hearing W�rzel and Campbell play together, Lemmy hired them both.
On February 14, 1984, Mot�rhead recorded the backing track for The Young Ones episode "Bambi". One of the band's most popular compilations, No Remorse, followed shortly, it was released on September 15. Campbell has since toured the world with the band and has remained a constant member of Mot�rhead, despite a number of changes to their line up over the years.
Equipment
Phil uses a LAG Gibson Explorer-type guitar both live and in the studio, it has two humbuckers and only one volume control.
Trivia At the age of 12, Phil Campbell got Lemmy's autograph after a Hawkwind gig. Phil Campbell and Persian Risk supported Mot�rhead at some of their last dates with Brian Robertson. Campbell used to play drums, backing caberet acts and strippers around South Wales. A 100 Welsh Heroes poll was carried out on-line 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. |
