Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell’s last social media photo before his death showed him having fun with friends.
In a photo posted to Instagram on February 17, the singer is pictured posing happily arm-in-arm with Fozzie frontman Chris Jericho, Trixter bassist PJ Farley, and Fozzie drummer Grant Brooks.
Jericho captioned the photo: “It’s always fun to see old buddies,” calling his friend the “King of the Rock and Roll Liver” and noting that they had spent time together in Cardiff, Wales, the night before.
Jericho also recalled handing out “200 copies” of USA Today newspapers in the front row at a Heaven and Hall concert after Campbell told “a great story about riding a horse on stage” during metal band Testament’s show, and that when the late Ronnie James Dio “got on stage” “fans picked them up and started reading them.”
The Fozzie singer called the incident “just true rock hilarity.”
“Of course Phil also performed solo on #ShesMyAddiction in 2012 and will always be part of the @fozzyrock family!” Jericho noted.
On Saturday, amid news of Campbell’s death, Farley reshared a snapshot in tribute to her friend, saying they had met Campbell “only about three weeks ago” and that Campbell was “in great spirits.”
“He always brought stories and jokes and his sons and Gray Goose,” Farley wrote. “Truly a class act and he will be missed. My condolences to his family 🙏🏻.”
Followers of Farley’s account offered support amid the loss. “Oh my god. I just picked up my phone that day and this is the first time I’ve heard about this. So sad. A huge loss to music and humanity. Rest in strength, Phil,” one person wrote, while another added: “Shocking news.”
A third commented: “So sad. God bless Phil 🙏🏻🎸🖤,” while a fourth chimed in: “I knew it was an iconic photo when I saw it. I can’t believe it 💔.”
Campbell’s family announced Saturday that he died at the age of 64. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Philip Anthony Campbell. He passed away peacefully last night after a long and brave battle in intensive care following a complex major surgery,” a statement shared on Instagram read.
“Phil was a devoted husband, a wonderful father, and a proud and loving grandfather, affectionately known as ‘Bumpy,'” the statement continued.
“He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. His legacy, music and the memories he created with so many will live on forever.”
The statement ended by asking that the family’s privacy be “respected at this incredibly difficult time.”
Campbell joined Motörhead in 1984 with Michael “Wurzel” Burston and ultimately recorded 16 studio albums with the heavy metal band.
He formed Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons in 2016 and went on to release albums such as ‘The Age of Absurdity’, ‘We’re the Bastards’ and ‘Kings of the Asylum’.
European and Australian tour dates scheduled for 2026 were canceled earlier this year, with a statement saying: “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to our fans, but Phil’s health is always our top priority.”
