Def Lep guitarist knows he can’t stay in side-project band for good, and hopes classic-era axeman will return to fold
For the love: Vivian Campbell
Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell says he’d bow out of Thin Lizzy if classic-era member Brian Robertson wanted to come back.
Campbell knows he can’t stay with Phil Lynott’s reactivated legacy outfit permanently, and hopes that when the time comes for him to leave, it’ll be because Robbo is returning to the fold.
The Def Lep man tells BraveWords: “The future is a grey area. I’d like to be able to continue with the band, tour as much as possible and get into the studio in the future, but it’s really difficult to predict.
“Obviously I have an allegiance to Def Leppard, and that’s my priority. Leppard is touring the US this summer and we’re trying to book Lizzy dates around the availability. But Lizzy has to continue as an entity without me, so at some stage someone else is going to have to step in.
“I have to say that as a fan, I’d love for it to be Brian Robertson.”
Lizzy have been receiving rave reviews on their current tour, which features Lynott-wea members Scott Gorham, Brian Downey and Darren Wharton alongside Campbell, ex-Whitesnake bassist Marco Mendoza and former Almighty frontman Ricky Warwick.
Campbell says: “We’re all here for the right reasons. As far as I’m concerned it’s authentic as long as Scott, Brian and Darren are still there. I know why I’m here and it’s not for the money. I’m really excited to be playing these songs with these people.
“I’m not trying to outplay Scott or Brian Robertson – I’m paying homage to the legacy. I’m trying to do it justice and bring some sort of reverence to it.
“Tonight I’m in a shit place. I’m a vegetarian and there’s no vegetarian food. I haven’t eaten in twelve hours – but I had fucking good time playing guitar with Thin Lizzy and I’m doing it for the love of it.”
Meanwhile, Def Lep frontman Joe Elliott has commented on guesting with Lizzy on the last night of their current tour in Dublin. Campbell got involved in the Lizzy lineup at Elliott’s suggestion, and the singer says he understands his bandmate’s emotions.
“Vivian fits like a glove,” he explains. “Having worked with him for 19 years I knew he’d pull it off. And there’s no one happier than me seeing him do it. Having done my Down n’Outz album I know exactly how he feels – he’s with his favourite band. That was my favourite gig for a long, long time.”
Former Lizzy guitarist Robbo is set to release his first solo album, Diamonds and Dirt, next month.
I watched this Thin Lizzy line up at the O2 Academy in Glasgow, I’m not a fan of the band and was invited by a genuine Thin Lizzy fanatic. I watched original video, later John Sykes and Gary Moore footage doing Lizzy and listened to the songs before going.
As a independent viewer, in my opinion, this show was terrible! TOO many guitars, why did the singer have a guitar? He’d have been better concentrating on singing because it was poor, keyboard player was better. The show actually felt like there were 5 individuals with no band.
Maybe the return of Brian Robertson with the keyboard player singing would actually be good. I certainly won’t be back to watch them as they are.
Needin some Chalk? “Don’t believe a turd” [wink]
I personally haven’t gotten the chance to see this version of Thin Lizzy with Viv, but he’s a hell of a guitarist! thats obvious. As for John Sykes, I did see one show with his version of the band, but if they had a singer like the singer in KinGuitarist,gs X, whats his name? Doug Pinnick? and he also plays Bass! with Sykes and Gorham just doing the Guitar work. But for me the ultimate lineup was with Robbo and Scott playing together!! Bottom line. Brian is just a more bluesy and melodic player than John is, their both extremely gifted but Brian has that special touch that gave them the edge. It was Fire and Ice with Brian and Scott together, a unique Guitar tandem indeed. As Ronnie James Dio has said long live Rock and Roll! Well Long Live Thin Lizzy!!