Motorhead guitarist Phil Campbell died from multi-organ failure after suffering complications following necessary surgeries, an inquest has heard.
The Welsh rockstar, who was the band’s guitarist from 1984 until it disbanded in 2015, died aged 64 on March 13.
Campbell underwent two liver transplants and bowel surgery at the Royal Free Hospital in London earlier this year. While the second liver transplant was successful, he suffered further complications, underwent bowel surgery and was moved to intensive care, where he deteriorated rapidly.
The inquest at St Pancras Coroner’s Court heard that Campbell had previously drunk alcohol to excess but had been sober for seven years by the time of his death. He had also suffered from Hepatitis C, which the inquest heard had been treated.
His cause of death was recorded as multi-organ failure by coroner Dr Richard Brittain. The coroner said: “My view is that there is nothing here to suggest his death could have been prevented.”
He summarised Campbell’s death as resulting from “recognised complications of necessary surgical procedures”.
Motorhead was founded in 1975 by bass player and singer Lemmy, whose real name was Ian Kilmister. The group helped pioneer heavy metal music in Britain, with top-10 albums including 1980’s Ace Of Spades, 1981’s No Sleep Til Hammersmith and 1982’s Ironfist.
Campbell was Motorhead’s second-longest-serving band member after Lemmy. He later recorded music and toured with his sons Todd, Dane and Tyla as Phil Campbell and The Bastard Sons.
