Campbell cautious but confident over cancer status

Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell is cautious but confident about his current cancer status.

He’s recovering from stem-cell treatment which took place at the end of last year, and reports that doctors are happy with his progress.

But after a false all-clear earlier in 2014, he’s remaining careful about his battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Campbell tells That Metal Show: “I seem to be in a good spot at the moment. You can never be too certain with these things because they can come creeping back.

“There’s no sign of the tumours, so I’m hopeful we’re on the right path. I’m not letting it concern me at all, but for the next few years I’ll be doing more scans, follow-ups and stuff, just to make sure.

“I’m certainly feeling healthy.”

Def Lep are nearing completion of what will be their 11th album. It’s expected by the middle of the year, with the first single release pencilled in for March. Campbell’s also working on the first album by Dio offshoot Last In Line.

Describing himself as “pig-headed and Irish” he says: “The main thing for me was to continue working – to continue my life unabated, and to not let it compromise me as much as possible. And I think that’s been a big part of my mental recovery on this.”

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.