Jimmy Kay from Canada's The Metal Voice ( https://www.facebook.com/themetalvoice) spoke to Ex- Dio, Last in Line and Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell. Campbell, spoke about his battle with cancer, Last in Line's new album and not getting paid in Dio which resulted in him getting fired.
LAST IN LINE's sophomore album, "II", will be released February 22 via Frontiers Music Srl.
When asked about his current health and his battle with Cancer
"I'm tired today I got another infusion yesterday, I'm supposed to do them every three to four weeks but given the touring schedule particularly last year with Def Leppard I had to push it to six to seven weeks. I've been very fortunate that I found a treatment that works for me. I was part of a clinical trial for this new wonder drug almost four years ago and now it got FDA approved and it's working for me, so it's holding everything in place. Also it has minimal side effects, it's immunotherapy a general term given to a bunch of these new drugs that basically bolster the immune system and the body and so your body can fight cancer. My oncologist seems to be happy for now. I feel very fortunate as there's only about a third of the population who actually has been able to use this drug and get good results from it because it's based on your genetic makeup. You have to have a certain genetic marker in order to be given this drug, something called PDL, which I happen to have and about a third of the population has as well. This drug will be given to people regardless of what your what kind of cancer you have, as long as you have this PDL. So if you have lung cancer or in my case lymphoma it will yield good results." When asked about what it was like to work with producer Jeff Pilson on the New Last in Line Album coming out on Feb 22 2019
"Jeff has so much energy. Jeff is very upbeat, funny, it's always a better room when Jeff is in it. Jeff's musical talent is quite diverse too, he's a lot more than a bass player, he plays keyboards, guitar and sings. He is also a very experienced and talented songwriter, engineer and producer, just a really really well-rounded very talented artist. It's always a pleasure to work with Jeff, the hardest part about working with Jeff is just nailing him, he's so busy and that's true of all of us." When asked about recording the new Last in Line album
"We have to work around everyone's we're evolving busy schedules and and we kind of do these records piecemeal, it's not like we go in and we've got three or four weeks to actually make a record I mean that would be luxurious. We'd write and record two three four songs at a time and then there would be months in between where we would reconvene and do another two three four songs." When asked if there is a Dio flavour to the album and what it was like to play with Phil Soussan
"There's the underlying element of the Dio vibe yes, that's because we have 50% of the original Dio members in this band now. When we started the project Jimmy Bain was still alive, so when Jimmy, Vinny Appice and I played it was like the Holy Diver album all over again.There's just a chemistry that the three had when we played together. Losing Jimmy Bain was a real kick in the nuts for us but we eventually we carried on and we were very fortunate to get Phil Soussan (Ex-Ozzy). Phil is very much cut from the same cloth as Jimmy and in terms of understanding the kind of dynamics or that kind of music but he's a different player than Jimmy. Jimmy was a very fundamental player, with a huge tone and just great timing. Phil is less of a fundamental player he's a little bit more adventurous and musical and he wants to find passages to play." When asked about the organic growth of Last in Line band
"When the project started we had no ambition other than to play songs from the first three do albums and play some clubs around LA where we were living at the time. Had I known that we were going to record and release albums of original music I would have thought twice about naming the band Last in Line. It just seemed like a very appropriate title at the time. Ronnie had passed away about a year and a half prior to us starting this project and we just wanted to go ahead and play the early Dio songs and have fun. Nobody thought it was gonna grow and become a real serious band but here we are." When asked about his thoughts about bands today who sound like Dio Copycats
" I would say, I have no idea to be honest I'm not familiar with them. I don't listen to a lot of music, I generally live under a rock and I just kind of do my own thing. But you know if our singer Andrew Freeman had walked into that rehearsal room back in late 2011 and if he had sounded anything like Ronnie I wouldn't have planned any shows. I just think that would be a bit cheesy,. Ronnie was the best of his genre and he was just like such a gifted singer had such a unique voice and tonality and style. I think it would have been really creepy to to go on stage with a Ronnie clone. I had a lot of people say to me why didn't you get this guy or that guy they sound like Ronnie but that's totally missing the point,. Andrew freeman is a really strong singer, he can sing anything and he can sing the Ronnie stuffy that's in his wheelhouse and but he does it in his own way. The tonality of his voice is totally different and makes it his own and that's what appealed to me in the first place and that's what made this in interest project for me." When asked about him getting fired for standing up for himself because of payments that were promised but not delivered
" I was in my early twenties and it wasn't about the money to me but it's about the principle, I'm very very big on principle. When somebody makes me a promise I expect them to keep it because I keep my word it's that's just the way I was brought up. When I tell somebody I'm going to do something I meet my commitments. Ronnie had made us a promise and payment and we worked for very little money, less than our road crew and the band was very successful. Back then people bought records and we were selling a lot of records and we were all very involved in the creative process, it was really a collaborative process. We were kind of squeezed. Wendy Dio who never really saw it as a band. She never really saw the value in the band and that's something that really really upset me. "
"After I was fired I think Ronnie knew better he understood the real magic that the original band had and the chemistry we had and how we created together. I think Ronnie was really fearful of her and he never stood up. Like I said it was never about money I just wanted what Ronnie promised, it was a contract that was between the four of us and and he just wasn't man enough to follow through on it and and I called him on it and I got fired as a result. It was very painful for me for many years. We never got royalty checks that was the whole issue, we worked for for minimum wages even though we were writing the music we got no royalties, we got none of the merchandise or the t-shirts or those ticket sales for the venue's or anything. We got a flat salary that was less than the road crew. Ronnie had promised by the third album Sacred Heart there would be an equity situation so that was the the principal that got me fired. You know they offered us a few few hundred dollars more per week and then I got sent a contract by Wendy and it said failure to sign and return this contract by this date will constitute you're no longer being in the band. I tried to call Ronnie, I was in Ireland at the time, it was a break between legs of the Sacred Heart tour which finished North America. I'd gone back to visit my family my parents and I got this contract in a FedEx envelope and I was shocked I opened it and and I tried to call Ronnie and he wouldn't answer the phone. Next thing you know Craig Goldie is the guitarist. It was a seamless transition obviously it was well-executed and planned you know but that I wouldn't change any of that, I would change maybe how I reacted to it in later years. Ronnie and I both made the mistake of airing our grievances in public which is never a good idea but you know it is what it is and it was only after Ronnie passed away that I was really able to kind of look at the entire situation in a very different light. For years I didn't want anything to do with with the legacy of Dio. Later on I really wanted to reconnect with that fire. When asked if Pete Wilis the original guitarist will join the band on their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction
"I really don't know I mean you know Joe Elliot put it out there in an interview. I know that Pete's Willis was welcome to come join, I hope he does I really do. I only ever met Pete once many years ago very briefly and you know I don't know the guy at all but he was a very very important part of the legacy of the original Def Leppard. I think it'd be great if he shows up. " When asked if he would have mended fences with Ronnie today and work together if he was alive
"I think if the gatekeepers would have let that happen Ronnie and I absolutely would have worked together again. There are always people who come between artists. People always ask me well what's Ronnie like. Ronnie had his good days and his bad days there were days when when Ronnie was really difficult to be around and there were days when he was a real pleasure to be around. I think Ronnie was very proud of me as a guitar player particularly in the early days he really liked taking me around L.A .saying this is my new guitar player, look what I discovered, like Ozzy had Randy Rhoads. I wanted to bring my best riffs and then play my best solos I wanted to be the best I could be for that band and then I gave my all because again we were working towards a common goal or so we thought. "
DEF LEPPARD's brand new greatest-hits collection titled "The Story So Far - The Best Of", was released in November.
The band will be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame this spring. The honor comes after the British rockers got the most votes in the Rock Hall's online fan poll.
Multinational Progressive Power AOR band Eden's Curse have confirmed that their sixth studio release will be a concept album.
Set for a 2020 release on their long time German label, AFM Records, the band confirmed on their Official Facebook page:
"We are delighted to announce that our sixth studio release will be a concept album. We are in the early stages of writing and have today confirmed our plans with AFM Records. This is not a phase that we ever wish to rush, as we always work hard to ensure that we deliver the quality that you have come to expect of us. We do not expect a release until 2020, so please bear with us. We will keep you involved throughout the whole process with lots of updates on Facebook and our Official Website".
You can keep up to date with the progress of the album at:
In the meantime, the band will kick off their UK headline tour in April, in support of their current 'Testament - The Best Of Eden's Curse' release. Joining them on the road are German Melodic Metal band Mob Rules and Swedish AOR newbies Degreed.
Swedish hard rockers Crazy Lixx are back with another sleaze metal gem that harkens back to the best of ‘80s rock, while also keeping a foot planted in the 21st century. “Forever Wild” further cements Crazy Lixx as one of the leaders of the Scandinavian led ‘80s hard rock revival.
With huge choruses, memorable hooks and riffs, wailing, emotive guitar solos, and massive production by Danny Rexon and Chris Laney, this album is sure to resonate with old fans and new listeners alike.
The band explores a wider range of styles than ever before on “Forever Wild”. From the hard rocking and anthemic opening track “Wicked” to the AOR inspired upcoming single “Silent Thunder” to songs like "Eagle" that sound like they came off a Bon Jovi album circa 1986, Crazy Lixx manage to blend a love and reverence for ‘80s rock with their own stamp on each track.
With “Forever Wild", Crazy Lixx have set the bar very high against their own revered and celebrated catalog. Their best album yet? We’d say so!
Don’t miss Crazy Lixx while they’re on the road in support of the album either, as their live shows are a sight to behold! Dates to be announced soon.
OZZY OSBOURNE CANCELS AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND AND JAPAN "NO MORE TOURS 2" DATES AS HE RECOVERS FROM PNEUMONIA
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy-winning singer and songwriter OZZY OSBOURNE has announced that he will now cancel shows in Australia, New Zealand and Japan. This follows news of the postponement of the entire UK and European leg of his "NO MORE TOURS 2" tour on doctors' orders.
"Ozzy recently developed pneumonia and has spent some time in hospital. Thankfully he is now through the worst part," says Sharon Osbourne. "His doctors have advised that he stay at home to recuperate for a full six weeks with no travel."
Heavy Pettin' first stirred into action when vocalist Hamie, guitarists Gordon Bonnar and Punky Mendoza, drummer Gary Moat and bassist Brian Waugh first burst out of Glasgow in 1981. They were vibrant, priapic, anthemic and focused. As they showed on a three-track demo, and on the subsequent debut single for independent label Neat (‘Roll The Dice’/’Love Xs Love’), they were more than mere Def Leppard slaves. In fact, the Pettin’ had an international sound that owed something to AC/DC, UFO, Thin Lizzy and Foreigner, but also had its own raging momentum.
Not that the band found the road straightforward. But, thanks to a work ethic that took them around the country, plus a valuable session for Radio 1’s prestigious ‘Friday Rock Show’, the band eventually landed a crucial deal with the major label Polydor Records. Moreover, their 1983 debut album (‘Lettin’ Loose’) was co-produced by the creative Mack together with Queen guitarist Brian May. Now, that’s pedigree.
Amazingly, that album has survived more than 20 years of high-speed hi-tech developments intact. While other, more celebrated records have dated badly, ‘Lettin’ Loose’ re-affirms the belief back then that the Pettin would follow Leppard to big time stature. What went wrong at the time has little to do with band, or lack of ambition/talent.
In America, where they should have broken big long before Bon Jovi gave Love A Bad Name, they were held back by the label’s insistence on an anaemic re-mix (as well as a title change to ‘Heavy Pettin’, which caused more confusion than anything else). If the band’s essential, vital British brio had been left as conceived in the first place, who knows what might have been achieved. Still, a slot on the bill for the 1983 Reading Festival, the day that Black Sabbath infamously headlined when fronted by Ian Gillan, did them no harm and touring with both Kiss and Ozzy helped the quintet’s progress.
Two years later, the Pettin return to the studio, this time with producer Mark Dearnley (who’d worked with AC/DC and Krokus). The result? ‘Rock Ain’t Dead’, which surprised many with a slicker yet conversely tougher approach. The lads really had progressed, although ironically if things had gone to plan, this would have been produced by Lance Quinn, of Bon Jovi and Lita Ford fame. However, just hours before the band were due to fly to Philadelphia, to work with Quinn at his Warehouse Studios, the decision was taken by PolyGram (to whom both Heavy Pettin and Bon Jovi were signed in the US) that, instead, he should start work immediately on what was to be Jovi’s second record, ‘7800 Degrees Fahrenheit’.
Perhaps then, it should have been obvious that record company politics were to scupper Pettin in the crucial American market. Despite continuing to show up well in the UK, once again the US was to prove elusive – through no fault of the five musicians. In many respects, this was the point when the writing was scrawled over every available wall space. Regardless of their obvious determination and grassroots support in Britain, it seemed as if Pettin’s realistic chance of significant international success had gone. A third album, ‘The Big Bang’, was released by FM Revolver in 1989. Although it still proved this lot were way ahead of so many others who were selling truckloads of units and getting acclaim from the media; as the 1980s faded into memory, so too did Heavy Pettin.
Driven by a desire, a passion and a capacity simply to invoke the magic and rapport the band enjoyed, they released Prodigal Songs in 2007. The album was well received by their loyal fans and the limited pressing sold out making it a highly sought-after collector’s item.
In 2017, original members Hamie, Punky, and Gordon joined by Jez Parry on bass and Michael Ivory on drums performed for the first time in 25 years at Scotland’s WinterStorm. Reinvigorated, Heavy Pettin, now joined by ex-Gun guitarist Dave Aitken due to Punky hanging up his guitar and going in to retirement, did several shows in 2018 including a 6 date UK tour, with 3 sold out gigs in Nottingham, London and Edinburgh, as well as 2 sold out headline gigs in Milton Keynes and Glasgow.
2019 is going to be Heavy Pettin’s year with the HRH AOR March 16, Headbangers Open Air in Germany in July 27th and Aug 25th Golden Age of Rock Festival in Belgium already booked and more dates to be announced.
According to Hamie, fans should look for a new album as “…the demand and support for new HP material has been so overwhelming, we are excited to say we’re now working on brand new HP material which will be released in 2019… and it’s going great!"
Heavy Pettin’ Dates Confirmed 2019:
MAR 16 - Hard Rock Hell - AOR, Camp HRH, North Wales
MAR 30 - Bannermans Rock Bar, Edinburgh, Scotland
MAR 31 - Trillians Newcastle, England w/ Spartan Warrior
JUL 27 - Headbangers Open Air Festival, Brande-Hӧmerkirchen, Germany
AUG 25 - Golden Age Rock Festival, Liège, Belgium
AUG 30 - Crauford Arms Music Venue, Milton Keynes, England w / Tytan
As already implied, CORNERSTONE is going to tour the United Kingdom again - for the tenth time meanwhile! The highlight will be be for sure the CAMBRIDGE ROCK FESTIVAL, one of the traditional English Open Airs, where acts like THE ANIMALS, STARSHIP or BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST appeared over the years. Cornerstone already performed there in 2013 and is really looking forward to come back in summer! Headliners for this years edition will be announced in the next few days, for more information please check out the Cambridge Rock website.
