Phil Campbell

Philip Anthony Campbell was born in Pontypridd on 7 May 1961, and started playing guitar when he was 10-years-old, inspired and influenced by guitarists such as Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi, Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page, Jan Akkerman, Michael Schenker and Todd Rundgren. At the age of 12, Campbell met Lemmy after a Hawkwind gig and asked him for an autograph. By the age of 14, Campbell was playing semi-professionally with a cabaret band called Contrast. He later played with a pub-rock band called Roktopus (not to be confused with Rocktopus) at gigs in and around South Wales. He bought his first Les Paul in 1978 at a New Year's Day guitar sale at a shop on Ealing Broadway, London. The guitar was later stolen but returned. In 1979, Campbell 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.

Campbell resided in Pontypridd with his wife, Gaynor, and their children.

Campbell died of complications from surgery on 13 March 2026, at the age of 64. His death was announced one day later on a social media post made by the band. He was laid to rest in Wales on 13 May 2026.