Latest news with #Motörhead
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
For 30 years, I was away nine months of the year. My wife kept our family together
This story is part of the July 27 edition of Sunday Life. See all 14 stories. Musician Phil Campbell, who spent three decades playing guitar in the band Motörhead, can thank his mother, Luisa, for setting him on the path to his destiny. Here, the 64-year-old talks about the important women in his life, including his wife, Gaynor, with whom he has three adult sons. My maternal Italian grandmother, Rosa Pinchiaroli, was born in Italy and came to Wales in her 20s. She used to live next door to us in her later years, and we'd take care of her. I used to visit her every day – she is the only grandparent I knew. She passed away when I was in my 20s. My mum, Luisa, was partially blind for most of her life. She was knocked on the head at 12 and had vision problems ever since. She had more than 20 operations to reattach her retina. My father, Jack, looked after her a lot. She was one of three sisters. My aunty Pina lived in Milan, while aunty Rita had an Italian cafe in South Wales. We'd visit Rita a lot; her sons still come to see my band play sometimes. Mum played the piano a little, and used to let me go to gigs in London when I was very young. I was 12 when I met Lemmy [Kilmister, founder of Motorhead], who was playing with Hawkwind at the time. He was the only one in the band who came out to sign my program. If Mum didn't let me go to that gig, I would have missed that opportunity. Ten years later, I joined Motorhead. I never heard Mum swear or say a bad word. She was very religious; we'd all go to church regularly. She always had a set of rosary beads and would pray. Mum died of Alzheimer's when I was on tour. She was aged in her 70s. My father died five years later. I have a sister, Jeanette, 15 years older than me, and a brother Steve – 13 years younger. I was brought up like an only child for most of my childhood. My sister used to take care of me when Mum was back and forth from hospital. Jeanette now lives next door to me – our gardens are joined. Mrs Rimmer taught me music at school. She was encouraging, whereas other teachers gave up on me. I was allowed to go in the music room and play guitar. Mrs Rimmer was the one who took our folk group at school to the Eisteddfod in North Wales. It was a great experience. I was more interested in music and guitars than girls when I was young. I dated a few different girls while I was at school, but in my era, that meant you asked a girl to a dance. I didn't dance; I would just stand there all night.
The Age
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
For 30 years, I was away nine months of the year. My wife kept our family together
This story is part of the July 27 edition of Sunday Life. See all 14 stories. Musician Phil Campbell, who spent three decades playing guitar in the band Motörhead, can thank his mother, Luisa, for setting him on the path to his destiny. Here, the 64-year-old talks about the important women in his life, including his wife, Gaynor, with whom he has three adult sons. My maternal Italian grandmother, Rosa Pinchiaroli, was born in Italy and came to Wales in her 20s. She used to live next door to us in her later years, and we'd take care of her. I used to visit her every day – she is the only grandparent I knew. She passed away when I was in my 20s. My mum, Luisa, was partially blind for most of her life. She was knocked on the head at 12 and had vision problems ever since. She had more than 20 operations to reattach her retina. My father, Jack, looked after her a lot. She was one of three sisters. My aunty Pina lived in Milan, while aunty Rita had an Italian cafe in South Wales. We'd visit Rita a lot; her sons still come to see my band play sometimes. Mum played the piano a little, and used to let me go to gigs in London when I was very young. I was 12 when I met Lemmy [Kilmister, founder of Motorhead], who was playing with Hawkwind at the time. He was the only one in the band who came out to sign my program. If Mum didn't let me go to that gig, I would have missed that opportunity. Ten years later, I joined Motorhead. I never heard Mum swear or say a bad word. She was very religious; we'd all go to church regularly. She always had a set of rosary beads and would pray. Mum died of Alzheimer's when I was on tour. She was aged in her 70s. My father died five years later. I have a sister, Jeanette, 15 years older than me, and a brother Steve – 13 years younger. I was brought up like an only child for most of my childhood. My sister used to take care of me when Mum was back and forth from hospital. Jeanette now lives next door to me – our gardens are joined. Mrs Rimmer taught me music at school. She was encouraging, whereas other teachers gave up on me. I was allowed to go in the music room and play guitar. Mrs Rimmer was the one who took our folk group at school to the Eisteddfod in North Wales. It was a great experience. I was more interested in music and guitars than girls when I was young. I dated a few different girls while I was at school, but in my era, that meant you asked a girl to a dance. I didn't dance; I would just stand there all night.
Daily Mirror
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ozzy Osbourne was 'not ready to go anywhere' in chilling admission before death
Black Sabbath and rock legend Ozzy Osbourne made a very poignant admission before his death as he looked back on his wild life and revealed he had no regrets Ozzy Osbourne made a touching admission in his final memoir, that is now going to be released after his death. The Black Sabbath icon died on Tuesday aged 76, just weeks after his last performance with the iconic rock band in his hometown of Birmingham. The Prince of Darkness decided to hang up his crown at Villa Park on July 5, surrounded by his beloved family and fellow rock legends. He wished to say one final 'thank you' to his devoted fans, and was able to do just that. Ozzy was never one to shy away from the darker topics in life, and often spoke of how he wanted to be remembered when he died. He made one final confession in his memoir, Last Rites, that will be posthumously released on October 7. READ MORE: The rocker reflected on his later years, health struggles and even his final performance at the Back to the Beginning concert earlier this month. In a quote from the upcoming book, Ozzy revealed how he had no regrets over the life he lived. 'People say to me, if you could do it all again, knowing what you know now, would you change anything? I'm like, f*** no,' says Ozzy on Grand Central Publishing's website. 'If I'd been clean and sober, I wouldn't be Ozzy. "If I'd done normal, sensible things, I wouldn't be Ozzy. Look, if it ends tomorrow, I can't complain. I've been all around the world. Seen a lot of things. I've done good… and I've done bad. But right now, I'm not ready to go anywhere.' A description of Ozzy's memoir reads: 'At the age of sixty-nine, Ozzy Osbourne was on a triumphant farewell tour, playing to sold-out arenas and rave reviews all around the world. "Then, disaster. In a matter of just a few weeks, he went from being hospitalised with a finger infection to having to abandon his tour—and all public life—as he faced near-total paralysis from the neck down." They added: "Last Rites is the shocking, bitterly hilarious, never-before-told story of Osbourne's descent into hell. Along the way, he reflects on his extraordinary life and career – including his turbulent marriage to wife Sharon, his encounters with fellow hellraisers including Slash, Bon Scott, John Bonham and Keith Moon, the harrowing final moments he spent with Motörhead's Lemmy Kilmister, all alongside his reflections on the triumphant Back to the Beginning concert, streamed around the world, where Ozzy reunited with his Black Sabbath bandmates for the final time and raised millions for charity.' Amid his health struggles, including a Parkinson's diagnosis in 2020, Ozzy didn't appear to fear death. In 2023, during an interview with Rolling Stone, he admitted: "I said to Sharon that I'd smoked a joint recently and she said, 'What are you doing that for? It'll f*****g kill you'. "I said: 'How long do you want me to f*****g live for?!' At best, I've got 10 years left, and when you're older, time picks up speed!" Ozzy went on to clarify that while he didn't "fear dying," he didn't "want to have a long, painful and miserable existence." He confessed: "Sometimes I look in the mirror and go, 'Why the f*** did you make it?!' I'm not boasting about any of it because I should have been dead a thousand times. I've had my stomach pumped God knows how many times." Announcing Ozzy's death, a statement said: "It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family's privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis."
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Alice Cooper and Motörhead pay tribute to 'cultural icon' Ozzy Osbourne
Alice Cooper and the stars of Motörhead have led tributes to the late Ozzy Osbourne. On Tuesday, a representative for the Osbourne family announced that the Black Sabbath frontman had passed away at the age of 76. Following the sad news, rock singer Cooper praised Ozzy's contribution to the music industry. "The whole world is mourning Ozzy tonight. Over his long career, he earned immense respect among his peers and from fans around the world as an unmatched showman and cultural icon," he told The Hollywood Reporter. "I always saw Ozzy as a cross between the prince of darkness, which is the persona his fans saw, and the court jester. That was the side that his family and friends saw. He was and will continue to be a rock n roll legend." In addition, a representative for Motörhead shared a black-and-white photo of Ozzy and band co-founder Lemmy Kilmister, who died at the age of 70 in 2015. "We lost our dear, dear friend today," they stated. "Ozzy was a pioneer, a guiding force for all in hard rock and heavy metal, and a great guy too. Lemmy and Ozzy were brothers in arms who enjoyed many adventures together over the decades, and his loss is seismic. Rest peacefully Ozzy, we will always love and celebrate you..." A number of other major rock groups honoured Ozzy's legacy too. A spokesperson for the Foo Fighters thanked the rocker for "a lifetime of inspiration", while Mötley Crüe praised the Paranoid hitmaker's dedication to making music. "RIP @OzzyOsbourne. Thank you for all that you did for music and for Mötley Crüe," they commented. "None of this would be same if it wasn't for you and you will be missed. Our thoughts are with the Osbourne family." Elsewhere, Pearl Jam's Mike McCready credited Ozzy as a major influence. "Thanks for the music, Ozzy, it makes our journey in life better," he wrote on Instagram. And in statement posted on X, a rep for Aerosmith insisted Ozzy "changed music forever". "From Black Sabbath to his solo work, Ozzy redefined what it meant to be heavy. He did it all with heart, grit, and that wild spirit only he could bring," they shared. "Our love goes out to Sharon, his family, his band, and the millions around the world who felt his fire. Rock on, Ozzy. You will be missed, but never forgotten!"
Leader Live
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Next Big Thing: Meet Wrexham rockcore band Bad Earth
With the Leader's Next Big Thing feature, we hope to showcase some of the talent in Wrexham and Flintshire. If you are a group of musicians or solo singer that would love a boost towards your big break, the Leader wants to hear from you. Read more: We are looking to put the Next Big Thing on music fans' radar, just remember us when you get to the top! To be in with the chance to feature, email a few details and contact number to In the spotlight this week, is Wrexham-based rockcore band, Bad Earth... Bad Earth. Photo: Scott Frazer Photography The band is made up of Ste Coxon, 60 - guitarist and lead vocals; Karl Ditcher, 43 - bass and backing vocals; and Ben Burke, 45 - drums and backing vocals. Your musical influences, did you grow up around music? Ste: My dad had a massive vinyl collection that ranged from Beethoven to Motörhead. When he went out I'd go and play his vinyls and the first album that got me was Deep Purple In Rock. Ben: From an early age I've been around music as my dad was in the Royal Welch Fusilier Corp of drums as a side drummer, and my uncle was a guitarist, he was into the likes of Metallica, Skid Row, Iron Maiden and Ozzy [Osbourne]. Karl: I grew up with my parents' love of northern soul and Motown, and through friends anything from the Stone Roses to Vision of Disorder. Who do you admire in the industry? Karl: Maynard James Keenan, Trent Reznor, John Squire and Richard Ashcroft. Ste: When he was alive Lemmy [of Motörhead], as he did everything on his terms. Ben: The list is endless of people I admire. Are you self-taught? Yes, all three of us are self-taught. Story behind the band name Bad Earth It came from a practice session in the early days, where we had a problematic buzzing noise over the PA speakers and put it down to a 'bad earth'! What do you enjoy about performing? The energy, feeling alive and the response off the crowd. Is performing a full-time job? Unfortunately not, as there's not much money involved for underground original bands, which is a real shame. Where can people catch you live in the coming months? Shrewsbury, The York, July 22 Northants Rock Festival, July 25 Bloodstock, August 7 to 10 Favourite song (yours or anyone else's)? Ben: Our newest addition to the set, Blood on my Hands, because of the contrasting elements to the song. And its really fun to play on drums. Ste: Come What May! Our latest single release. Karl: I like them all. Anything else we should know? After bloodstock we are recording our new EP and making a video for the lead single, so watch this space! As a whole we'd love to play more home town shows like Wrexfest or Focus Wales, as when we supported Soulfly at the Rockin Chair, it proved there's a big appetite for bands like us in Wrexham.
