Vivian Campbell Finally Bitches About His Guitar Parts In Def Leppard
Posted by Empress Eve | January 29th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
In 1992, Vivian Campbell joined the mega-success rock group Def Leppard, stepping into the second lead guitarist slot left vacate by Steve Clark, who had died the year before. At the time, Campbell had gone a few years out of the spotlight after leaving David Coverdale’s rock supergroup Whitesnake before signed on with the Leps, a position he’s had for nearly 20 years that remains his most high-profile gig to date.
The Irish-born Campbell, who got big break back in 1983 as Ronnie James Dio’s hot-shot lead guitarist in the former Black Sabbath frontman’s newly created solo band, Dio, has always said that the guitar parts in Def Leppard weren’t really challenging to him and he was fine with that. Now, the guitarist is finally bitching about it, complaining that fellow Lep guitarist Phil Collen gets all the good guitar parts. Let’s just say, I told you so.
When I first heard Campbell had joined Def Leppard, who at the time had abandoned their traditional rock roots and were in the throes of commercial success, I couldn’t imagine the guitarist would be satisfied playing such with pop hits like “Pour Some Sugar On Me” and “Love Bites.” Campbell had previously wowed audiences with his blistering solos on classic tunes like Dio’s “Rainbow In The Dark,” “Last In Line,” and “Holy Diver,” but I understand, the dude needs to earn a living. Let’s face it, he was probably making pennies in Dio and Whitesnake, since he was essentially hired help in those bands. Shortly after joining Def Leppard, I read an interview with Campbell in a guitar magazine where the writer asked him how he felt about not doing his typical intense soloing. His answer was something to the affect that now it was easier for him, that he didn’t have to play such difficult solos anymore, and I was like, that’s your bank account talking there, dude.
More curious was why the Leps would even need a soloist like Campbell if they were going to continue on in the pop world (which they did, although not as successfully as with the Hysteria album). The band already had Collen, who joined the group on their third album Pyromania and proved he had the chops on songs like “Photograph,” so why bring on Campbell? I still don’t know.
So now it’s been 19 years that Campbell has been in Def Leppard, but can anyone name a memorable solo he’s done since? I can’t. Two decades later and it’s finally come to light that not only has Campbell been relegated to mainly to simple chords and riffs, but that he’s still essentially a hired hand, thanks to recent comments (via BM) made by bandmate Phil Collen when he was told of Campbell’s complaints that he gets all the good solos.
Here’s Collin’s response about why he gets all the good solos:
Because it’s all my shit. Vivian joined a band that I helped create. He’s coming into my house! It’s not all the good parts, it’s the Def Leppard sound that me and Steve created.
We got together with Mutt Lang, and there was already a sound in place. Also, we play all the hits live, which were written before Viv was in the band.
Collen’s attitude towards Campbell is not unlike that of Metallica’s when Jason Newsted joined the band, replacing original bassist Cliff Burton, who’d died in a tragic accident. Metallica hazed the crap out of Newsted, and even after 15 years with the band — while Burton had only been with Metallica for 4 years at the time of his death — and playing on their most financially successful albums, the bassist was still considered the “new guy” and not given his due. (Everyone remember how Newsted’s bass parts were lowered in the mix so drastically on 1988′s …And Justice For All that they were practically non-existent? Yeah, that’s some bullshit right there.)
The Leps did and are still doing that same kind of thing to Campbell. They hired a guitar virtuoso only to tie his hands, and what, dangle all that Hysteria money in front of him so he knows he’ll never be rich like the rest of the band? He’ll have to make due with what he earns from co-writing “Demolition Man” I guess. (Does he even solo on that song? Apparently some Formula One racing champ did a guest solo on the song. Oh yeah, another slap in ol’ Viv’s face.)
Before reading Campbell’s comments about his solos in Def Leppard, I had wondered if he was even still in the band, as he’s also now playing with his fellow countrymen in the reunited Thin Lizzy.
I know a lot of you are fans of Def Leppard, what do you think of Campbell’s contributions to Def Leppard?
As a huge Def Leppard fan, I just want to know who specifically is responsible for the awful albums X, Yeah and Sparkle Lounge. Every album before that was great.
Steve
Let’s not forget how bad “Slang” was too. Def Leppard was awesome once, but they got lazy doing covers and lost their edge. They need to quit playing the crap pop and get back to their Pyromania roots.
I don’t think Viv has done anything for the band. The music died with Steve Clark.
http://geeksofdoom.com Dave3
I honestly don’t know what Vivian expected. You join a band with a huge preexisting catalogue, you’ve got very little opportunity to influence their sound without making waves, enemies, etc. I always figured he took the easy gig for cash and giggles.
catcrimsongirl
If Viv was not happy he could have quit at any time. No one’s holding a gun to his head. He’s been making EASY killer money. He has songs he has written on the albums. If he wanted to be flashy he could have then. No one in the band is holding him back. It seems that people writing these articles are trying to make much more out of this that there is.
swillis31
This article really doesn’t make sense to me. First off, noone (other than hardcore metal fans) would even know that Viv was soloing for Dio (bc Dio wasn’t that good anyway).
Second, and most important, Viv was brought on bc he was as friend (and very talented guitarist) and Def Lep are a band that are about collaboration, especially when it comes to guitars. I have seen many live performances of Def Lep from the 90′s (when Viv was in the band and given solos) and it is very apparent that he just runs with it rather than play the solos correctly or tries for something that captures the fans.
Just because you are talented doesn’t mean that you are a great songwriter / contributor.
Two of my all-time fav DL songs are written by Viv (“To Be Alive”, “Cruise Control”), but that means little in the grand scheme. He needs to really focus on the music and not the fact that he is in a legendary band. The more I look at his recent comments, the less I support him as a collaborative musician (and thus a member of Def Leppard).
http://www.atomstrange.com Alex Rude
Viv Campbell is a frigging cry-baby! Wah Wah Wah! He bad mouths people all the time and is never grateful for the fact that he is actually an extremely lucky man. I personally know about a dozen guitarists that blow him away and are exceptional song-writers and could easily replace him in DL.
He was also a real pain in the ass with Dio never giving Dio the props or respect for giving him his first opportunity to make an exceptional living as a professional musician. Ask any other musicians if they would like to play in bands like Dio or Def Leppard. They will ALL tell you that they would do it in a heartbeat.
He cries and cries but has never done anything worth mentioning other than to be a hired hand.
Have you heard his only solo album? WEAK is putting it nicely and it’s all covers except for one awful song.
And now he is playing with Thin Lizzy too. He would not have gotten that gig if not for the guys in Def Leppard who happen to have suggested Campbell to them at his request! I bet that in a year or two he will be calling Scott Gorham some awful things because he isn’t satisfied with his role in Thin Lizzy.
And BTW-One of the reasons he got the gig in DL was because he has a UK passport.
I used to really like Campbell as a lead player,especially with Dio, but as I learn more and more about him, I want him to just keel over. What an ingrate!
Here’s a link to a special word from Ronnie James Dio about Viv Campbell http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOwZBo8FQvo
Geebs
“This article really doesn’t make sense to me. First off, noone (other than hardcore metal fans) would even know that Viv was soloing for Dio (bc Dio wasn’t that good anyway).”
Stopped reading. All further statements invalidated.
doctorjonesy
Um, I don’t get it. The dude could have left at any time. There’s no point blaming everyone else – he chose to stay. Seems like the money was a good enough reason to keep him there, which is fair enough. But having made his choices, he needs to take some responsibility for them. Not saying he can’t bitch about the band, but he does need to acknowledge that ultimately it was his choice to stay.
JT
“This article really doesn’t make sense to me. First off, noone (other than hardcore metal fans) would even know that Viv was soloing for Dio (bc Dio wasn’t that good anyway).”
Stopped reading. All further statements invalidated.
YEP. That’s as far as I read too!
Ricardo
To me Vivian has not contributed properly in the growth of the band. On the other hand Steve Clark was a Monster writing riffs and harmonies, Steve was the soul of this band, the substance, the cool, original wild side of the leps. I think they should take a really loooong vacation after retro-active. I love this band, this band is my life but up to now I couldnt able to hear X, the cover album and the last album… its just unbearable it makes me cry. For god sakes gimme that guitar attack again, those epic bridges and memorable chorus without sound like a bunch of pussies.
I started to listen the really OLD music from the lep on youtube even before the OTTN album god these guys were just pure genius. Beyond the temple, glad Im alive, heat street. what happen with the almigthy leps?
Racer X
Dio wasn’t that good? Blasphemy!
Steve
Steve Clark and Phil Collen were like magic together. They have never gotten that sound back since Steve died.
W3wooten
Viv’s solos with Dio were great.
Xkalliber
Steve Clarke and Pete Willis were def leppard. Vivian Campbell deserves much better.Phil turned into a wuss when he dropped the Ibanez destroyer
Xkalliber
Steve Clarke and Pete Willis were def leppard. Vivian Campbell deserves much better.Phil turned into a wuss when he dropped the Ibanez destroyer
Lawlessd
I find this funny – Vivian finally bitches about his guitar
parts in Def Leppard. First of all, “finally”- been waiting for this have you??, If you refer to the recent interview on the
Thin Lizzy tour of Germany, well , you are way off the mark. I heard that
interview and what he actually said is that in Thin Lizzy he gets to solo in
every song, while in Def Leppard he get
to sing and its a different type of performance. He didn’t say one is better than the other,
and he sure as hell didn’t bitch. If you have followed his career then you will
see that he prides himself on being a decent singer as well as a guitar player.
Thin Lizzy was one of his favourite bands as a kid, so you can see his joy at
getting to play with his heros.
As for Alex Rudes comments above concerning his solo album –
Really? His solo album was a blues record, he paid homage to his inspirations;
Rory Gallagher, Gary Moore and others.
If you aren’t familiar with their work then you can’t appreciate Vivian’s
solo album. It was a side project for
him.
As for the fact that he has a British Passport, I think you are grasping at
straws. That would have absolutely nothing to do with it. I saw an interview
with Joe Elliott on TV some years ago and he said that one of the great things
about Vivian in the band is that they come from the same culture – he knows
what soccer is and watched the same TV shows like Black Adder. Elliott cited different backgrounds as why
bands like Whitesnake kept changing personnel; they who had a Dutch guitarist,
and a South American dummer. The reason Vivian was brought into Def Leppard ( after a lengthy
audition process) was that he was a professional musician, familiar with heavy
touring, contributing what the music required and a whole bunch of other
skills other than guitar playing. The fact that Def Leppard changed musical direction
several times since he joined is not his fault. He and other Def Leppard band
members have said time and again that fans want their classic songs, most of
which predate Vivian joining Def Leppard. As another commentator said, Def
Leppard are a tight family, and I never seen anything that suggests Vivian is a
hired hand.
I find that Ronnie James Dio clip on youtube quite funny.
Ronnie James Dio cultivated a “gentleman of Rock” image and the guy with the
cameraphone caught him when he let the mask slip. Maybe someone can point out
the article or interview where Vivian called Dio a vile person? I’ve never seen
it. I have seen an interview with Vivian
Campbell where he said that he and the other guys in Dio were treated badly,
including a promise where they would be paid appropriately after a few years.
On joining Dio he was paid a pittance. Ronnie and his wife/manager reneged on
the deal. Put yourself in the same shoes
– your employer treats you badly and
then refuses to pay you. You wouldn’t be happy that’s for sure. That there is
continuous discussion on the Campbell/Dio debate, only stems from the fact that
both were good at what they did.
the devil
It’s pretty obvious from all the articles and even listening to Vivian’s playing that he quit giving a crap about what he was doing in Dio and wanted to be a complete sellout. Holy Diver is a monstrous offering and the best you’ll ever get from Viv, period. Nothing he does will ever top it and he gets to live with knowing that the rest of his life. I don’t have much respect for anyone who sells out. As soon as you put the almighty dollar above your desire to play and raw talent, you’ve given up. Needed money to support a family and pay bills? Maybe you should have considered that before having a family and putting yourself in a financial situation that required more cash and less soul.
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