DEF LEPPARD Guitarist VIVIAN CAMPBELL On Relationship With DAVID COVERDALE – “It’s Good, It Was Strange For A Few Years…”

In a new interview with RockPages.gr, Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell discusses the band’s new self-titled album, as well as his relationship with former Dio/Whitesnake bandmate David Coverdale.

Rockpages.gr: How’s your relationship with David Coverdale?

Vivian Campbell: “It’s good. It was strange for a few years; we didn’t speak for many years… with Dio I was fired, with Whitesnake things kinda fizzled out. The tour manager at the time… after the end of the Whitesnake/1987 Tour, we were working on demos of what was supposed to be our next record and there was some evident weirdness even with Adrian (Vandenberg). We were getting along fine with Adrian but the truth is that he didn’t want another guitar player in the band. It was nothing against me. When he was hired in Whitesnake, they didn’t tell him that there would be two guitar players. Having said that, there was a certain rivalry in the air even though neither of us had played on the record and none of us could have a legitimate claim for a solo on the live shows. When the tour ended, David said to us that all the songs on the new record would be written by Adrian and himself because they had a great working relationship. Right then, I knew deep inside me that this wasn’t a band (that) I would last for too long. On top of that, my wife at the time and Tawny Kitaen (Coverdale’s wife at the time) didn’t like each other and during the tour, Whitesnake’s tour manager came to me and said that David didn’t want to bring your wife with me on tour. I had just gotten married and I was thinking: ‘what? Really…?’.”

Rockpages.gr: Why the tour manager and why not David himself? I mean, why didn’t David come to you and said it straight to you?

Vivian Campbell: “Exactly. That’s the problem that I had with David because I always thought that he didn’t have the balls to come to me, look me in the eyes and say what he wanted to say. Even, when he wanted to let me go, he asked the tour manager to break the news to me. Several years ago, we did a tour with Whitesnake, I had the chance to sit with him and explain to him that he had lost my respect when he did that back in the 80s. David was very apologetic and pointed down that he was in this bad relationship… living in an ivory tower, having people do things for him instead of doing those things by himself. But all this belongs to the past… we are all good now.”

Read the full interview at RockPages.gr.

Def Leppard’s new self-titled studio album (Mailboat Records) debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums and Top Independent Albums charts. The album also took the #5 spot on Billboard’s Top Current Albums, #10 spot on the Top 200 and #9 on the Overall Digital Album Sales chart, as well as claiming 15 top 10 debuts around the world.

Def Leppard was recorded earlier this year at frontman Joe Elliott’s studio in Dublin, Ireland. The release features 14 tracks in total and marks their first new collection of material in seven years.

Def Leppard tracklisting:

“Let’s Go”
“Dangerous”
“Man Enough”
“We Belong”
“Invincible”
“Sea Of Love”
“Energized”
“All Time High”
“Battle Of My Own”
“Broke ‘N’ Brokenhearted”
“Forever Young”
“Last Dance”
“Wings Of An Angel”
“Blind Faith”

Bonus tracks:
“Last Dance” (Demo) (Japan)
“We Belong” (Alternative Vocal Take) (Classic Rock Fanpack)
“Let’s Go” (UK radio edit) (Classic Rock Fanpack)

Album promo:

“Let’s Go” video:

“Dangerous”:

Def Leppard’s Hysteria On The High Seas – a four-day, four-night voyage out of Miami this January 21st – 25th, aboard the MSC Divina – recently announced a number of updates as the cruise is on the verge of selling out.

Cruise updates include: the additions of Frank Hannon (long-time Tesla guitarist) plus KIX; complimentary “on tour” photo with Def Leppard for all cruisers; Rick Allen’s Art Exhibit aboard the ship; exclusive unveiling of Def Leppard’s own craft beer; and two new payment options. For booking and more information, head to this location.

One of the greatest rock bands of all time and heralded as an institution in both the music and touring industry, Def Leppard will bring their spectacular live shows and arsenal of hits (including tracks off their long-awaited new studio album out this October 30th) aboard the MSC Divina, as Hysteria On The High Seas visits Grand Bahama Island and the private island paradise of Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. In addition, passengers sailing aboard the cruise will receive complimentary admission to an exclusive pre-cruise event on Wednesday, January 20 in Miami, FL, featuring special guest artists and more (details TBA).

This exclusive cruise is a fantasy camp for enthusiasts of Def Leppard, with non-stop entertainment, activities and fun. While this cruise is about all things Def Leppard, the “Hysteria” continues with some of the great names from the 80’s and beyond, with a lineup that includes: Tom Keifer; Last in Line featuring the original line up from Dio’s classic Holy Diver, and Last In Line Records featuring Def Leppard’s Vivian Campbell alongside fellow founding Dio members Vinnie Appice, Jimmy Bain and Claude Schnell, along with vocalist Andrew Freeman; Eric Martin (Mr. Big); Ritchie Kotzen; Kip Winger; and Eddie Trunk and Luc Carl as hosts. Just added to the line-up  Frank Hannon, long-time Tesla guitarist,  Kix – Steve Whiteman (lead vocal), Jimmy Chalfant (drums, vocals), Ronnie Younkins (guitars), Brian Forsythe (guitars) and Mark Schenker (bass) – who just released their highly anticipated and first new album in 19 years. KIX was recently hailed “Best Performers” at both Rocklahoma and M3 Rock Festival, where they played alongside metal heavyweights Sammy Hagar, Alice Cooper, Queensryche and more.

Additional cruise updates announced include:

– The unveiling of a new Def Leppard craft beer that that band is working on; cruisers will have the opportunity to be the first to taste in an optional beer tasting event with the band (for a small fee). Details regarding pricing and ticketing will be announced shortly.

– Each passenger will be assigned to a photo group for their complimentary Def Leppard “On Tour” photo.

– Def Leppard’s drummer – Rick Allen – will bring his visual expression to life with paint, light and canvas with his Rick Allen Art Exhibit aboard the cruise. Each amazing piece that Rick creates has a story and a connection to his life and cruisers will get to enjoy his work up close and personal.

As previously announced, Def Leppard’s “Hysteria On The Seas” fan cruise will include:

– Def Leppard Theater Performance
– Def Leppard “Storytellers” Performance and Q&A
– Def Leppard’s Vivian Campbell in Last in Line Performance
– Eddie Trunk’s “Def Leppard – Behind the Music”
– Daily performances from support artists on four stages throughout the ship
– Support Artist “Storyteller” Performances
– Support Artist Meet & Greets/Photo Ops, Jams and Q&A Sessions
– Special Events, Theme Nights and much more

For more information on the cruise, visit this location. Find Def Leppard’s live schedule at DefLeppard.com.