http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grpress/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-3/121871971629171.xml&coll=6

Def Leppard plays arena Friday with Billy Idol
Thursday, August 14, 2008
By Lorilee Craker
The Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS -- Local Def Leppard fans were crestfallen when lead singer Joe 
Elliot's illness caused the rockers to cancel their April 18 show in Van Andel 
Arena. Guitarist Vivian Campbell was among those who were disappointed.

"Joe got a sniffle," he quipped in a phone interview from Nashville, Tenn., as 
he dressed for the band's show there. "Bloody singers."

Seriously, though, Campbell said the British band doesn't pull this kind of 
seemingly capricious, rock-star behavior.

"We've had to reschedule a few shows for the weather and things, but we've 
never had anything like this happen."

Elliott's lingering upper respiratory infection resulted in the cancelation of 
three Canadian concerts before the Grand Rapids date and another in Detroit. 
The show included opening acts Styx and REO Speedwagon.

"People were pretty understanding about Joe Elliot's voice," said Rob Brandt, 
program director of classic-rock radio station WLAV-FM (96.9). "We first heard 
that he needed 10 days to get better, and that our show was the first one he 
would do. But later on that week, his doctor told him he needed to rest more.

"People were bummed later, especially when it was announced Styx wasn't coming 
back. This is a strong Styx market."

Styx and REO Speedwagon couldn't make all of the rescheduled shows; Billy Idol 
will appear with the band in Grand Rapids.

"We actually haven't played with Billy," Campbell said. "We're all big fans. I 
have a lot of respect for his guitar player."

Campbell, who is especially keen on the band's new single, "C'mon, C'mon" from 
its freshly minted April release, "Songs from the Sparkle Lounge," thinks music 
of his vintage is experiencing a renewal. 

"There's a resurgence in classic rock, a resurgence in production values," he 
said. "It was verboten to have fun in the '90s. Now we can have fun."

Fun offstage for the father of two means driving around Los Angeles (originally 
from Belfast, Ireland, Campbell married a Californian) and hanging out with 
daughters Lily, 8, and Una, 6.

"My daughter Una's name means "Twelve p.m." or something in Spanish, and our 
nanny is Spanish," he said. "She looked at me quizzically as if to say, 'Why 
did you name your daughter after lunchtime?'"

Campbell also eats healthy and works out, measures he takes so he doesn't 
become a punchline in some comic's routine.

"The world isn't kind to overweight pop stars," he said. "The things you gotta 
do to sell records -- you kind of have to be concerned about your image. Def 
Leppard is a bit lascivious. We have about as much in common with the 
Chippendales as we do Jimi Hendrix."

Besides, at 46, Campbell is a pup in the classic rock world. Why look old 
before your time?

"You are what you do," he said. "And I certainly have no intention of retiring."

If you go

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St.

Tickets: $35-$125, at arena and DeVos Place box offices, Ticketmaster outlets, 
456-3333, ticketmaster.com

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