Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell died from multi-organ failure after suffering complications following multiple “necessary” surgeries, a coroner has ruled.
The Welsh rockstar, who was the band’s guitarist from 1984 until it disbanded in 2015, died aged 64 on 13 March.
Campbell suffered complications after multiple surgeries, and his death could not 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.
He died in hospital on 13 March, 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”.
Following his death, Motörhead paid tribute to Campbell in a post shared on Instagram, describing the “wonderful” guitarist as an “enormous beam of light”.
The statement said: “Phil was a wonderful guitarist, writer, performer, and musician who had Motorhead in his veins.
“He always led with his gift of guitar, and carried a great sense of humour, but most of all, Phil led with his heart. You could not be around him without a chuckle or 20, because quite simply, Phil loved life and lived it with great joy.
“There will be plenty of time for us to share stories – tales of Campbell glory – and some good jokes together; for now, please send love and positive energy to Gaynor and the boys while affording them time, space, and privacy.
“Much love and RIP Phil. The world has just lost an enormous beam of light, and we are devastated.”
Motörhead 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 10 albums including 1980 hit, Ace Of Spades, 1981’s No Sleep Til Hammersmith and 1982’s Ironfist.
Campbell was the second longest-serving Motorhead band member, after Lemmy, and went on to record music and tour with his sons, Todd, Dane and Tyla as the group Phil Campbell and The Bastard Sons.
