Viv Campbell speaks of ‘tension’ onstage during Troubles

Def Leppard’s Vivian Campbell has revealed while performing in certain parts of Northern Ireland during the Troubles he would “shut up” on stage.

The heavy metal legend was reflecting on his time touring with the group Sweet Savage in the late 1970s.

He told BBC News NI the four band members were from different religious backgrounds.

The guitarist said while there was the tension in society, for them, music was “the escape” from politics.

“Belfast has certainly changed since my youth, for the better, I’m very happy to say.

“I just remember certain parts of the province that we were playing in, there were always two of us that didn’t speak on any show,” he said.

“It was like, ‘OK, you two shut up tonight, don’t say anything.’

“So there was that tension but yet when we played together on stage, we never thought about any of that stuff.”

Campbell said he believed the music also served as an escape for concert goers.

“It is something that unites people and in this day and age it’s become more important because the world is quite fractured to say the least,” he said.

“We need more love, we need more music and more pizza.’

Looking to the future, Vivian Campbell said he must be the “luckiest man in the world” after being in 100% remission for the first time in 12 years since being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

“Luck of the Irish and all that,” he added.

Following a number of treatments, his oncologist said he had reached the end of the road for options, with a donor stem cell transplant the only choice left.

“It was quite a process to go through but I’m very, very glad I had the opportunity. It couldn’t have worked out better.

“I’m feeling 100%, I feel very, very strong physically. My energy’s very good, so for an old geezer, I’m in a good spot.”

Campbell joined Def Leppard in the early 1990s.

The band, which originated in Sheffield, are best known for hits like Animal, Pour Some Sugar On Me and Let’s Get Rocked.

Originally from Lisburn, County Antrim, the guitarist said he tries to get home at least once a year.

Next summer he’ll be on stage at Belsonic – he said the opportunity to come back and play with the band was a “privilege”.

While back in Northern Ireland he hopes to get some time up in County Donegal to “relax” and “reconnect”.