Topics › All Forums › General › The Corner Pub › Def Leppard’s Viv Campbell Diagnosed With Cancer
| June 10, 2013 at 10:48 am Quote #26263 | |
 ron (11511) | Def Leppard’s Viv Campbell Diagnosed With Cancer Def Leppard legend Vivian Campbell has confirmed that he is fighting cancer – but promises fans that he’s feeling “rather spiffy”. Viv is two months into a six-month term of chemotherapy treatment and has made the decision to go public with the news so fans aren’t too shocked by his appearance when the band next head out on the road. “I feel fortunate that my cancer sent me an alarm call in the form of ‘the cough that wouldn’t quit’,” says the axeman. “Otherwise, how would I have known? “After several months of trying every inhaler known to man, my doctor finally had me X-rayed. A CAT scan revealed that enlarged lymph nodes were doing wrestling manoeuvres on my windpipe – hence the cough. What was causing the enlarged lymph nodes, however, was yet to be determined, so I underwent a surgical biopsy on March 11, the first day of Leppard rehearsals for our Viva Las Vegas shows. Obviously, I didn’t make it to rehearsal that day, but it’s okay; I know the songs by now! “I’m feeling rather spiffy, all things considered,” he continues enthusiastically. “Hodgkin’s has an over 80% cure rate – so by my reckoning, if you’re going to have a cancer, Hodgie’s is the one to have! The reason I’m sharing this with you is because, despite cancer and chemo, me and my new aerodynamic hairstyle (read: no hair) are going on tour this summer. I don’t want anyone to be so shocked by my new look that they ask for a refund. Simple economics, really. “I look forward to a summer full of shows with both Def Leppard in June/July, and the debut of Last In Line this August.” It goes without saying that we’re all sending our love and thoughts to Viv as he fights this thing. Stay strong, dude! ronQuote |
| June 10, 2013 at 5:17 pm Quote #26268 | |
 PT5150 (6281) | Hope he is ok and gets better. EDDIE’S fingers aren’t fingers they are muscle-powered pistons that hammer guitar strings to the fretboard with the force of a rivet gun”. PT5150Quote |
| June 10, 2013 at 6:00 pm Quote #26271 | |
 ks34vh (2126) | Get well Viv, you are a great guitarist!! Laughing at the Days Garbage Through Loud Volume, This is “Laughing At Reality”.. VHT Member since 2001 ks34vhQuote |
| June 10, 2013 at 6:27 pm Quote #26275 | |
 guitard (7354) | Wow …. shocking news. Viv is a vegetarian and a very health conscious person. I wonder if they’re going to work the schedule around Viv’s chemotherapy? The day after chemo, I just can’t imagine how he’s going to be able to play. Even if you’re the hard charging, high energy type – chemo wipes you out for a few days. guitardQuote |
| June 10, 2013 at 7:49 pm Quote #26277 | |
 cobohall76 (436) | I think he was a smoker. If u look closely on that Sheffield 93 show, he tosses a cigarette just before he hits the stage. Hope he makes it through. cobohall76Quote |
| June 11, 2013 at 12:40 pm Quote #26299 | |
 zr1fevr (155) | Wow, hope he makes a full recovery. Viv is probably me 2nd fav guitarist, & a great guy also. I saw him in Dio several times, Then was fortunate enough to see The Riverdogs open for Satriani in 1990′. Next morning I turned on KNAC, & Viv was being interviewed in studio. I heard the last couple of minutes, & decided to call the radio station to see if I could talk to him. I explained to the operator that I had Kramer Nightswan guitar, a Viv endorsed guitar, & would he autograph it for me. I’m thinking yeah right, no chance. Well after being on hold like 5 mins, Viv picks up & starts BS ing with me. I ask him about my guitar, he tells me he is going to breakfast with people from the station, but if I want to come down he will come back to KNAC & autograph it for me. To his word, he comes back, plays my guitar for like 5 mins, signs it, signs a photo, shoots the shit for awhile too. What a super cool guy, definitely not a “rock star” attitude. Viv & Michael Anthony are the 2 nicest musicians I have ever met. Get well Viv. zr1fevrQuote |
| June 11, 2013 at 6:43 pm Quote #26311 | |
| guitard (7354) | I met Viv in San Diego in 2004 at a small venue where the Riverdogs played a reunion show. I flew out to San Diego specifically to catch that show and to film it. After the show, the band hung around for at least an hour. You could pretty much talk with them as much as you wanted. I told Viv that I thought he was the better guitarist in Def Leppard. I asked him if he ever felt like he was playing second fiddle to Phil Collen, even though he was a better guitarist. He basically said he wasn’t even gonna go there. Although I meant it as a sincere question, he’d been around long enough to know that an honest response to that question could come back and bite him in the ass if it turned out I was a journalist. I agree wholeheartedly with zr1fevr – definitely no rock star attitude. Just a nice, down-to-earth sort of guy. guitardQuote |
| June 11, 2013 at 7:52 pm Quote #26314 | |
| PT5150 (6281) | Great stories. EDDIE’S fingers aren’t fingers they are muscle-powered pistons that hammer guitar strings to the fretboard with the force of a rivet gun”. PT5150Quote |
| June 12, 2013 at 1:13 am Quote #26323 | |
| zr1fevr (155) |
Is that your video footage that is out there guitard? The first Riverdogs cd is in my top 10 of all time, it is filled with great guitar work, catchy songs. Quality music for sure. Viv has an identifiable style & sound, great tone. I think He is completely wasting his talent being in Def Leppard, he even admitted he gets bored. I need to go dig up that 04 reunion vid, a good watch for sure! zr1fevrQuote |
| June 12, 2013 at 2:04 am Quote #26326 | |
| guitard (7354) | As far as I know, I’m the only one who ever released anything from the 2004 San Diego gig at Le Stats. A couple of years ago, I synched the footage with a fairly nice audio recording and torrented it. If you don’t have the version with the upgraded audio, you definitely want it – it’s a major improvement. guitardQuote |
| June 12, 2013 at 3:01 am Quote #26332 | |
 Mink (2663) | I agree that Viv is the better guitarist in Def Leppard and imagine he does get bored. However, Def Leppard is a big band and I’m sure he’s making more money with them than with any other band. It’s definitely the smart choice. I do hope he has a speedy recovery. MinkQuote |
| June 13, 2013 at 4:05 pm Quote #26395 | |
 cabosanlucas139 (1017) | What a really shit disease of which I know about all too well as both my In Laws died from this in 2011 within 2 months of each other. I wish him all the best for a recovery. cabosanlucas139Quote |
| June 13, 2013 at 6:43 pm Quote #26402 | |
| guitard (7354) | Viv is correct about the high cure rate for Hodgkin’s lymphoma – the key is catching it in the early stages. guitardQuote |
| June 13, 2013 at 9:30 pm Quote #26407 | |
 Dave (2283) | |
| June 13, 2013 at 11:19 pm Quote #26411 | |
 VAiN (2777) | Whatever, talk to me when he loses an arm. Resident dickhead. I will hurt your delicate feelings. VAiNQuote |
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