Leppard spots some classics on new CD
In the opinion of Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell, the longevity of the British pop-metal outfit - which is generating excitement among the fan faithful with a new album of classic cover tunes called "Yeah!" - boils down to one essential thing.
"We're a really (explicit) good band," he says.
"I know people think that's conceited of me, but there's a very strong work ethic in this band," Campbell continues, by phone from a tour stop in Atlanta. "We have the strongest vocals of any band in the world, bar none. I throw down the gauntlet to anyone. The greatest compliment that people pay us is when they ask if we use vocal samples onstage. But we don't. It's us."
That can't be comforting news to Def Leppard's tourmates, Journey, who recently replaced ailing singer Steve Augeri with Jeff Scott Soto. Internet rumors suggested that Augeri was using backing tapes to support his vocals -something Campbell wisely won't comment on.