DEF LEPPARD Guitarist Looks Back On Last Year

DEF LEPPARD guitarist Vivian Campbell has posted the following message on the band's official web site:

"The last year was busy enough; The 'Rock of Ages' release and tour and (big excitement for me!) the release of my first ever solo album, 'Two Sides of If'. In addition to releasing the record, I also started my own website, too, and I should point out that the talented chap behind both viviancampbell.com and defleppard.com is a handsome young Dutch dude by the name of Mark. He has worked tirelessly for LEPPARD for many years and what do we give him in return? Abuse, that's what. Mark, if I were you I'd ask for a raise..... Perhaps some more abuse might be in order.

"This year, 2006, will see us yet again hit the road. This time we'll tour in support of our long-awaited covers record, 'Yeah!' This record was made quite a while ago, but between one thing and another, it's only now squinting its eyes against the harsh glare of daylight. Reasons for the delay are many and varied — depends who you ask, really. But, seeing as you're asking me, here's my $0.02.

"The record was made for reasons that went something like this: 'Hey, wanna make an album of cover songs? Yeah, that sounds like a great idea, let's do it.' So there you have it; what more do you need? And, armed with that self-professed encouragement, we set about making a record that pays homage to the music that started us all on our individual, and ultimately collective, musical paths. That music was mostly from the era of glam rock in the early-to-mid-1970s, though we did extend the boundaries a little bit to encompass a Sixties tune and a song from the late seventies. Having completed the creative process in record time (in LEPP terms, that is),we mused about how and when to release it, and in the vacuum of time hence, it has fulfilled the requisite criteria for any DEF LEPPARD album in that it's taken an age from conception to release!

"We were all set to go last year when we undertook a big change for the band in that, after twenty-something years under the wing of one management company, we opted for a change of leadership and thus set about a whole new plan with regard to how and when to release the album. Having successfully come through that transition, we now feel able to concentrate our efforts on the 'Yeah!' project and are currently setting about the business of designing tour/stage plans for this summer's frolics. I, for one, am most excited!

"In other news.....well, actually there is no other news of any great merit to report at the moment, beyond that which would encompass my day-to-day life as a civilian: the walking of dogs; the scooping of their poop; the school runs in the morning; going to the market; the school runs in the afternoons; taking out the trash cans on a Wednesday evening, etc. But that is hardly rock star kinda stuff, and as such warrants no further mention on this forum.

"I look forward to seeing your sweet, smiling faces this summer."

Upcoming DEF LEPPARD shows:

Jun. 03 - Milan, ITA @ Gods Of Metal
Jun. 09 - Sölvesborg, SWE @ Sweden Rock
Jul. 13 - Atlanta, GA @ Chastain Park Amphitheatre (w/ JOURNEY)