Vivian Campbell Cancer: Def Leppard Guitarist Warns Fans Not To Fear His Bald Head

Vivian Campbell said he doesn’t want his cancer to scare fans of Def Leppard.

The band’s guitarist, Campbell has been known for his flowing locks befitting an 80s rock band. But after a biopsy in March revealed that he has Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Vivian went through some changes.

“Me and my new aerodynamic hairstyle (read: no hair) are going on tour this summer with the band and I don’t want anyone to be so shocked by my new look that they ask for a refund,” he said. “Simple economics, really.”

For Vivian Campbell, the cancer diagnosis came after 11 months of a”cough that wouldn’t quit.” It finally prompted him to go to a doctor earlier this year, where he received his diagnosis and treatment schedule. The guitarist, who joined Def Leppard in 1992 after spending time with Dio and Whitesnake, is undergoing six months of chemotherapy.
“I’m about 2 months in and feeling rather spiffy, all things considered,” he said in a statement. “Hodgkin’s has an over 80% cure rate, so by my reckoning, if you’re going to have a cancer, Hodgie’s is the one to have!”

Last year Campbell announced the he and with Julie were divorcing after 25 years, a marriage that had predated even his days with Def Leppard.

Julie had been a musical inspiration to him in the past. In 2010, he told Guitar International interview that Julie had inspired him to do a blues record in addition to his Def Leppard work.

“About twenty years ago, my wife heard me sing. She said ‘You know, you sing like a blues guy. You play guitar like a blues guy, too. Maybe you should do a blues record,’ ” Campbell said. “I laughed, and told her to go away and stop being a silly woman. [Laughs]”

Despite the cancer diagnosis, Vivian Campbell said he will still tour with Def Leppard this summer. And that’s not all — after the Leppard tour ends July 17, Campbell plans to reunite with other original members of Dio to play a short UK tour.