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.
Vivian Campbell, Vinny Appice, Phil Soussan, and Andrew Freeman collectively known as Last in Line, are set to release their second album, “II” via Frontiers Music Srl on February 22.
Last In Line was formed in 2011, when Vinny Appice, Jimmy Bain, and Vivian Campbell, (Ronnie James Dio’s co-conspirators and co-writers on the "Holy Diver", "Last In Line" - the album from which they took their name, and "Sacred Heart” albums) teamed up with esteemed vocalist Andrew Freeman. The debut al-bum “Heavy Crown” was released in February 2016, landing at #1 on the Billboard HeatSeekers Chart. Initially, the release had been preceded by tragedy when bassist Jimmy Bain unexpectedly passed away at the age of 68 on January 23, 2016. Last In Line, honoring what they knew would be Bain’s wish to keep the band moving, brought in renowned bassist Phil Soussan (ex-Ozzy Osbourne) and committed to sustained touring in support of the album, hitting festivals, headlining clubs, and sharing the stage with metal luminaries such as Saxon and Megadeth.
In late 2017, the band gathered in L.A. to start the recording of the second album, which was produced by the band members and Jeff Pilson (Foreigner, The End: machine, ex-Dokken), who also produced the debut album. Having really gelled as a band while touring in support of the debut album, the songwriting came readily to the members. They’ve created a record that shows a big progression in sound, while immediately being recognizable as Last In Line thanks to Vinny Appice’s rhythms, thunderous bass from Soussan, amazing vocals from Andrew Freeman, and the roaring guitars of Vivian Campbell.
Tracklisting:
1. Intro
2. Black Out The Sun
3. Landslide
4. Gods And Tyrants
5. Year Of The Gun
6. Give Up The Ghost
7. The Unknown
8. Sword From The Stone
9. Electrified
10. Love And War
11. False Flag
12. The Light
Lineup:
Andrew Freeman - Vocals
Vinny Appice - Drums
Phil Soussan - Bass
Vivian Campbell – Guitars
You just can’t help but love the ‘Dogs. One of my favourite ‘soulful’ rock bands that I’ve followed since their incredible debut. But don’t leave out the equally essential Bone and Absolutely Live!
While the guys delivered a taste of new material with the World Gone Mad album – constructed from left over songs of the past and unfinished tracks during previous attempts to reform, this is their first proper full length new material release with the original lineup since the debut back in 1990.
California was billed as the return to their hard rock roots, which I find wholly misrepresentative on two fronts. First – the band has never been a hard rock band. Bluesy/soulful rock/melodic rock is more accurate; but secondly – this album is nowhere near what you’d define a hard rock album to be.
That little peeve stated, we can concentrate on what California is – and that is a gem of an album that is drenched in soul, exquisite songs and a sublime production and mix that is among the best I’ve heard in a long time. Every note and every emotion is there to be heard. Well done Nick Brophy!
While it isn’t rocking by any stretch, it is a guitar driven record and Vivian Campbell shows his intricate skills on a collection of slow, moody, expressive songs. The soloing is wonderful, the riffs warm and perfect foil for the hypnotic soulful vocals of Mr. Rob Lamothe.
Rob is one of my favourite vocalists, his tone and his talent for emotional lyric delivery is a huge appeal to me and this is one of the best collection of his vocals I’ve heard yet.
The opening American Dream is one of only a few songs with pace, but there’s nothing but quality here. Golden Glow for example is just about as good as it gets. And each song, while remaining generally mellow, has its own personality.
The Heart Is A Mindless Bird is another lyrical and musical gem; The Revolution Starts Tonight is powerful and the punky Searching For A Signal gives a mid-album tempo shake-up.
Ten Thousand Reasons is another highlight while Catalina doesn’t have the best chorus, but the tempo is welcomed.
The star for me on this moody, mature, elegant and engaging record is the subtle, haunting vocal dominated I Don’t Know Anything. What a song.
To my surprise, the Japanese bonus track is not a lame edit/acoustic version of an album track, but rather another all-new song (When The Mic Drops) and one that carries quite a swagger.
It took a few listens and the right mood to best appreciate this album and its various intricacies, but once there, it’s no turning back. A great album from one of the best sounding bands of this ilk.
Everyone involved delivers electric performances and the songs definitely engage.
Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell discusses the new Riverdogs album California, Whitesnake, Dio & his firing from the band, the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, Shadow King with Lou Gramm, Sweet Savage, Last In Line, Def Leppard and more.
In our second interview, we sit down with the Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist, Josh Klinghoffer, backstage at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Topics include: Chris Cornell, joining the band, Dot Hacker, John Frusciante, Beck and more.
Mitch Lafon
Music journalist and so much more...
Listen to Rock Talk With Mitch Lafon on PodcastOne.
Featuring Original Members Rob Lamothe, Nick Brophy, and Vivian Campbell
The Riverdogs ARE BACK! Original members, Rob Lamothe (vocals, guitars), Nick Brophy (bass, vocals) and Vivian Campbell (lead guitar), along with long time drummer Marc Danzeisen, have reunited to record their fifth album, “California". The album will be released on July 7, 2017 via Frontiers Music Srl. You can watch a behind-the-scenes video about the making of the album here:
Mixing the soulful vocals of Lamothe with the edgy guitarwork of Campbell and solid rhythmic lines from Brophy and Danzeisen, the album marks a definitive return to the sound of their critically acclaimed 1990 self-titled debut album.
On the making of the album, lead guitarist Vivian Campbell says, "[w]hen my friends at Frontiers suggested a Riverdogs album in the spirit of the original debut record, I jumped at the chance to make it. In my opinion, "Riverdogs" was a highlight of my career with some of my best guitar playing and definitely a record that flew under the radar. Having a clear direction of exactly what kind of record to make really helped the four of us create the music and there was an intense collective focus throughout the entire process that never wavered. I really think that we hit the target in creating a record that has all the hallmarks, the integrity and the emotional strength of the original debut. The fact that we've all remained such close friends throughout all the years only added to the joyous experience that was the making of this record."
“Going in to this project, my goal was to enjoy the opportunity of making music with some of my best friends, to share this incredible experience with my family...and to create something that Riverdogs fans will probably think is pretty bloody awesome. Big guitars! Beautiful melodies! Words about crazy, complicated, real stuff! I feel like Nick, Viv, Marc and I all brought our 'A-Games' to the writing and recording sessions. That's way more important than money and awards and fame to me,” adds vocalist and guitarist Rob Lamothe.
Bassist Nick Brophy sums up the writing process for the album: “In summer of 2016, I found myself in Los Angeles, reunited with 3 of my closest friends, about to begin a new Riverdogs album. Marc had arranged a rehearsal environment at a friend’s house which was to provide the creative atmosphere for writing new material. I stood there with bass in hand thinking “OK, now what?” Little did I know that a few days later we would have six new Riverdogs songs and the album ‘California’ was born. The remaining six songs came, surprisingly, just as easily, a testament to the amazing talents of Vivian, Rob, Marc and the effortless way in which we work as a group. Our clear goal for this album was to remain true to the original Riverdogs sound and provide fans with a new set of songs which carry on the legacy of a truly remarkable band.”
Riverdogs formed in Los Angeles at the end of the 80’s, when flashy, glitzy hard rock ruled the day, but they were determined to avoid clichés and adopted an original sounding blues rock style. Vivian Campbell of Sweet Savage, Dio and Whitesnake fame at the time (soon to join and become a long-standing member of Def Leppard and later, founding member of Last In Line as well) was initially brought on board to produce the band's first demo, but was so impressed with the band that he actually became a member and played on the debut album. Soon after the release, Marc Danzeisen joined Rob, Nick and Vivian to complete the line-up.
Though fans and critics gave the album a warm reception and high regard, the unfortunate and age old story of change of personnel at their record label came about and eventually led the band members to go their own ways, with Campbell settling into the Def Leppard lineup and Nick Brophy becoming a respected engineer and producer. Riverdogs, with a reformed line-up, released two more records in 1993, "Bone" and "Absolutely Live", before going on an extended hiatus. They reconvened, with the original line-up, in 2003 to record new material and play a few reunion shows. Those new songs were recorded as demos, but only completed in the studio in 2011 when their last album, “World Gone Mad” was released.
Now, six years after their last studio album, Riverdogs have crafted “California”, a record that truly recreates the magical sounds of their early days and that will surely be welcomed with open arms by fans both old and new!
20 essential guitarists that we couldn’t have lived without over the past 20 years. There are of course many more, but this is 20 that have really stood out for me and contributed so many records to my collection. Hopefully this list will remind you of their contributions to this scene over the past 20 years.
In no particular order:
- Magnus Karlsson (Allen/Lande, Starbreaker, Freefall, Primal Fear, Last Tribe, Kiske Sommerville)
- Erik Martensson (Eclipse, W.E.T, Toby Hitchcock, Jimi Jamison, The Friday Nights, Ammunition, Nordic Union)
Over the weekend DEF LEPPARD guitarist VIVIAN CAMPBELL stated that his cancer had returned and he would be standing aside to recieve treatment. Today Vivian has just posted the great news that he will be able to rejoin the band's tour this weekend.
From Viv: "So, so happy to report that I've dodged the bullet of radiation. I was due to start a course that would have sidelined me for most of the first leg of the US tour, but my brilliant doctors have steered me towards an alternative course of treatment that will enable me to rejoin the tour this Saturday night in Birmingham Alabama. Furthermore, they've tailored future treatments to accommodate the tour schedule so I won't have to miss any more shows. I'm so happy and so indebted to the wonderful physicians who have worked so hard on my behalf to make this happen. See you Saturday!"
Vivian's past 2 updates:
"I'm overwhelmed by the support and well-wishes that everyone has sent to me. Thank you all so very much - it means a lot to me."
"I'm saddened by the fact that my cancer has returned. However, I'm beyond consolation that it's return will prevent me from being able to do my job for a while. I’m still working on a schedule of treatment with my doctors, but I will see you all very soon. My apologies."
The following two new Rock Candy titles are available now from www.rockcandyrecords.com for a discounted price including postage to anywhere in the world for the next two weeks ending on April 22.
HANOI ROCKS 'TWO STEPS FROM THE MOVE' CANDY233
BACK IN THE early eighties when Hanoi Rocks moved lock stock and barrel from Finland to London the streets were on fire with possibilities. Looking like an explosion in a paint factory and sounding like a devilish mash-up of the Rolling Stones jamming with the Sweet, it's fair to say that they made a unique impression. With an anything can happen and it probably will vibe, the band's ferocious on stage performances were legendary, establishing them as the front runners of a movement that looked like it would instantaneously blast them to success.
Signed to CBS records and teamed up with renowned producer Bob Ezrin (Alice Cooper, Kiss) 'Two Steps From The Move' was cut in the frenetic environs of New York City, polished in Toronto and completed in London. It was hailed as a masterpiece, bringing together all the hopes and promises of a band perfectly poised to assume complete control of the scene. However, during their American tour, front man Mike Monroe broke his ankle, forcing the group to postpone dates. Then, while Mike was recuperating, on Dec 8th 1984 the band's British drummer, Razzle was tragically killed in a Los Angeles automobile accident with M'tley Cr'e frontman Vince Neil in the driving seat.
Loaded with an incredible selection of songs, 'Two Steps From The Move' found them focussing on as much mayhem as humanly possible with a penchant for cheeky lyrics and catchy melodies. Tracks such as 'Don't You Ever Leave Me', 'Boulevard Of Broken Dreams', 'Up Around The Bend' and 'Boiler (Me Boiler 'N' Me)' defined their unique brand of swashbuckling bravado perfectly.'
Special Deluxe Collector's 2CD Edition, 11 bonus tracks, fully remastered sound, 20 page full colour booklet, new interview with Mike Monroe, 3,400 word essay, rare photos and enhanced artwork.
TRACK LISTING: DISC ONE (ORIGINAL ALBUM): 1. UP AROUND THE BEND 2. HIGH SCHOOL 3. I CAN'T GET IT 4. UNDERWATER WORLD 5. DON'T YOU EVER LEAVE ME 6. MILLION MILES AWAY 7. BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS 8. BOILER (ME BOILER 'N' ME) 9. FUTURAMA 10. CUTTING CORNERS 11. TWO STEPS FROM THE MOVE.
DISC TWO (BONUS TRACKS): 1. DON'T YOU EVER LEAVE ME (12' VERSION) 2. BACK TO MYSTERY CITY (SINGLE B-SIDE) 3. UNTIL I GET YOU (SINGLE B-SIDE) 4. MENTAL BEAT (SINGLE B-SIDE) 5. OIL & GASOLINE (JAPAN SINGLE B-SIDE) 6. MAGIC CARPET RIDE (JAPAN SINGLE B-SIDE) 7. SHAKES (JAPAN SINGLE B-SIDE) BBC FRIDAY ROCK SHOW SESSION: 8. I CAN'T GET IT 9. UNDERWATER WORLD 10. DON'T YOU EVER LEAVE ME 11. BOULEVARD OF BROKEN DREAMS
RIVERDOGS 'S/T' CANDY263
DESPITE COMING and going in the blink of an eye, the Riverdogs have always been held in high esteem. Sure, lots of underachieving acts are bestowed with acclaim but if one group genuinely deserves reappraisal, the Riverdogs are about as deserving as you can possibly get. And the reason isn't just because the band featured the presence of former Dio and Whitesnake (and future Def Leppard ) guitarist Vivian Campbell. They were formed in Los Angeles at a time when hair-metal was king, but were determined to avoid clich's, adopting a bluesy, almost Americana, style where restraint was central and excess frowned upon.
Naturally Vivian Campbell played an influential part in fashioning the musical palate but both bassist Nick Brophy and vocalist Rob Lamothe also attracted immediate attention. The latter displaying one of the most soulful voices this side of Paul Rodgers. Warm, commanding and instantly identifiable, Lamothe's voice didn't rely on meaningless bombast to get noticed.
Produced by Michael Frondelli (Kiss, Rolling Stones) and polished by Jeff Glixman (Gary Moore, Georgia Satellites) their album was greeted with universal acclaim but any hopes of hitting the big time were immediately extinguished when their label president was fired and a new regime installed showing zero excitement amongst the new team. It was a devastating blow and one that they never recovered from. One of the most overlooked records of all time.
Special Deluxe Collector's 2CD Edition, 11 bonus tracks, fully remastered sound, 16 page full colour booklet, features Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell, new interviews, 3,400 word essay and enhanced artwork.
TRACK LISTING: DISC ONE 1. WHISPER 2. TOY SOLDIER 3. BIG HOUSE 4. HOLY WAR 5. BABY BLUE 6. I BELIEVE 7. WATER FROM THE MOON 8. RAIN, RAIN 9. SPOOKY 10. AMERICA
DISC TWO: LIVE RADIO STATION PERFORMANCES 1990 11. WHISPER 12. TOY SOLDIER 13. BIG HOUSE 14. HOLY WAR 15. BABY BLUE 16. I BELIEVE 17. WATER FROM THE MOON 18. RAIN, RAIN 19. SPOOKY 20. AMERICA 21. PENNSYLVANIA (NON ALBUM TRACK)
