MOTÖRHEAD Guitarist: 'I've Accomplished Way More Than I Ever Thought That I Could'

Thomas Stanley Orwat Jr. of RockMusicStar.com recently conducted an interview with MOTÖRHEAD guitarist Phil Campbell. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

RockMusicStar.com: Do you ever get concerned about you personal safety when you play in places such as third-world countries?

Phil Campbell: Actually, we did have a bit of a riot one time. I can't remember exactly where it was, but it was somewhere in South America. We played a set, and it was cut like five minutes short. And the audience didn't seem to like that. So, we had to lock ourselves in the dressing room.

RockMusicStar.com: Have you ever considered doing a solo album?

Phil Campbell: Yes, I have thought about it a lot. But I shelved it a couple years ago, because I've decided that I want to write a book about all the insane things that happen on tour. So I'm trying to compile all of those stories and funny situations. So, at this point, I'm working on that. But, I'm a bit lazy, so it's taken a while. But as far as a solo record, I do have a studio at home, it's just hard finding the time. With MOTÖRHEAD, we've been working so hard, for so long.

RockMusicStar.com: MOTÖRHEAD has pretty much been on the record, tour cycle non-stop since you joined the band, 28 years ago. Seriously, have you ever had an extended break during your time in the band?

Phil Campbell: Not really. We have never taken longer than a couple of months off. We will have a little time off when this tour, the Gigantour, finishes. And that will be nice. But we have decided to cut back a little bit and enjoy the spoils of our hard work before we get too old.

RockMusicStar.com: Is there anything that you would still like to accomplish as a member of MOTÖRHEAD?

Phil Campbell: I've accomplished way more than I ever thought that I could when I was a young kid learning the guitar. We get great crowds every night, we've played some amazing concerts and places. It's nice that I got a Grammy Award, even if it wasn't for our own song. But we still got one, and I thought I would never have one of those on my mantle piece, along with several other awards. So, there's really nothing else that I desire to accomplish. But I think that our greatest accomplishment, really, is the fact that we are still going, and stronger than ever. I've been with Lemmy for 28 years, so that's the main accomplishment, and we've done it with maintaining our dignity, and we still have a bit of sanity left. And people are still enjoying going to the shows. So that's really our greatest achievement, when looking back on it. And just playing a good gig is satisfying to me, and just keeping it going.

Read the entire interview from RockMusicStar.com.