A KEY member of Def Leppard was missing when the Sheffield icons played their first show for 2025.
Guitarist Vivian Campbell was replaced by his guitar tech John Zocco when the Leps played Auditorio de la Feria León Guanajuato in Guanajuato in Mexico last week. Northern Irishman Campbell suffers from Hogdkins Lymphoma and and is subject to ongoing treatment.
Campbell, 62, got through Def Leppard’s 27 dates last year in the northern hemisphere summer but missed an unannounced performance at a US truck show in October, when Zocco also deputised.
Singer Joe Elliott told the Mexican crowd: “Vivian Campbell cannot be with us tonight. He’s just recovering from some treatment for his cancer. So, manfully, please say hello to the guy that’s standing in for him tonight, Mr. John Zocco on guitar.”
In 2013, Campbell recalled on the Lymphoma Voices podcast, “I decided to go public with my cancer diagnosis.
“I was about to speak directly to Def Leppard fans via social media and tell them ‘this is what’s going on with me …’ and my hair is going to fall out. You’re going to see me on tour and not have too much hair. Don’t be too shocked’.”
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