Joe Elliott discussed Vivan Campbell’s absence on Def Leppard’s shows in a new video posted by the band’s YouTube channel.
Campbell, who has been struggling with Hodgkin’s lymphoma since 2013, issued a statement on social media last week. He confirmed he “had a bone marrow transplant as part of my treatment plan.”
Now, Joe Elliott addressed Vivian’s absence from the live shows by saying, “We’re in Leon in Mexico in a bit of an amphitheater. It’s a kind of a one-off gig and we’re doing it a man down as Vivian is not here.” He continued, “Vivian is recuperating from cancer surgery and he’s doing very well, but he’s in a bubble he’s not allowed to travel.”
Elliott also talked about Campbell’s replacement, he stated, “So John Zocco – basically Phil [Collen’s] guitar tech – has manfully stepped up to the plate because he’s a phenomenal player himself and he can sing a bit as well. So, rather get some stranger in that we don’t know, he’s doing it, which is fantastic.” Joe added, “We have every confidence that it will go swimmingly until our boy Vivian is back on the stage with us.”
Considering the seriousness of Campbell’s disease, fans expect him to miss more shows with Def Leppard. However, Elliott is hopeful that Vivian will come back to band stronger after his treatment ends.
