Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Ulster accolade for Def Leppard guitar legend
Viv ready for family Hysteria over honour
FRIENDS and family are flying in from around the world to celebrate Def Leppard guitarist Viv Campbell receiving one of Northern Ireland’s top music prizes.
The Co Antrim-born rocker said he would be flattered to be awarded the Oh Yeah Legend Award on Saturday in recognition of a stellar career.
The 55-year-old has celebrated 25 years with Def Leppard and has also been a member of Whitesnake, Dio and Thin Lizzy.
He said: “I am not used to getting awards. I am not a celebrity, the only people who know me are the hard rock fans and guitar junkies.
“I have had a very steady and colourful career and this means a lot to me because it is flattering to be recognised by your fellow countrymen.”
Campbell has been engaged in a long struggle with cancer, the condition forcing him to pull out of a Def Leppard US tour in recent years. He joined the British band in 1992 and spent virtually his entire career based in t h e States where albums including Hysteria topped the charts.
Saturday’s presentation will be followed by a live performance with his current band Last In Line at the Mandela Hall in Belfast.
Campbell added: “It is a big family occasion, all my siblings are flying in from their countries around the world and it will be nice to be back.”
He said his current band allowed him to get back to hard rock guitar and he was working more than ever before as he juggled commitments.
The axeman added: “I have never been so busy as in the last number of years. It has been like spinning plates, you run from one to the other to keep them going.”
Previous recipients of the Oh Yeah Legends Award include The Undertones, Therapy?, Divine Comedy and Ash.