Guitarist Vivian Campbell: Working With Dio + Why I Left Whitesnake

Guitarist Vivian Campbell talked about his time in the #Dio fold. Read the full interview here: www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/...
▶ CHECK OUT OUR FREE APPS:
iTunes goo.gl/KcJMsj
GOOGLE PLAY goo.gl/MjTssy
▶UG MERCH: goo.gl/sFUQJ8
▶LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: goo.gl/jyzE6a
▶FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: goo.gl/86YGWE
▶INSTAGRAM: goo.gl/Kd4kuP

[@jackflash5659]

Vivian Campbell comes across as sincere and honest when talking about some of the challenges he has endured in his career.

[@grantorino2009]

I've harbored a lot of animosity toward Campbell over the years because I love Dio so much. In hindsight, I was wrong. Though of immense talent, Dio was long known to be a difficult man. So was Coverdale. Vivian Campbell never had that reputation, and for a reason. He is clearly telling the truth here. Vivian, as a fan, I apologize for being unfairly judgmental about you. FWIW, I'm glad that you, Dio, and Coverdale were able to make music together. We're all better for it.

[@charlesrenniemacki]

You are a complete and utter idiot, one of life's simpletons, devoid of rational thought and the ability to make an informed decision. You didn't like Vivian Campbell because Ronnie James Dio didn't like him. Jesus, no wonder there's so much misplaced hatred in this world.

[@andrewsmith9923]

I did the same thing. I thought Viv was the bad guy. Now I see it was RJD.

[@MP-vd1ck]

Two of dio's biggest songs are were partially written by Vivian Campbell glad he takes credit for his art and talks openly now a days about the firing.

[@MP-vd1ck]

@Andrew Davidson im sure Ronnie was nice to fans Just sounds like he cheated vivian out of money and had no plans of compensating him financially in the future.

[@shelbyavant5081]

@@charlesrenniemacki Wow, that is one of the most negative, pointless, and hypocritical posts I've ever read.

[@MrMatthiasSchneider]

Vivian Campbell is a fascinating dude to listen to because he has interesting stories and he's also quite eloquent.

[@foodog777]

Viv is a class act. He has said in other interviews the reason he was fired from DIO was because he pressed Ronnie and Wendy for royalties they long promised him but never came through on. He was also told by Whitesnake’s road manager (not Coverdale) that he was out and David only wanted to write with Vandenberg. Thankfully he soon landed a permanent gig with Leppard!

[@user-yl8en9po9p]

Viv is a true creative giant and such a massive part of the success within classic Dio. 💯 pure passion from the insanely talented Mr. Cambell…love ya Vivian!

[@AkosKovacs.Author.Musician]

Well if you look at earlier interviews with Dio from around the 80's era, he came off as quite a stern person and later he mellowed up. However there's another vid with campbell where he mentions that Wendy had a stronger influence on him because even though the band made a deal with Dio in person, Wendy had much more sway in the matter than anyone. Apparently romantic relationship also hurt Whitesnake too, no wonder people always say, don't mix love with work.

[@toddsteele72]

Refreshingly honest and very warm about it all. What a great guy.

[@TheRotlanzelot]

Giving an insight and very reasonably offering Vivian's point of view not only on behalf of how things were going during his period with Ronnie James Dio and Whitesnake. Vivian by the way IS genius in his own way.

[@JonesGermanni]

Amazing video!

[@redlabel9294]

I've dealt with L.S.D. (lead singer's disease) in several cover bands over the years. And after listening to the interviews with Viv, Jake E. Lee, and George Lynch... I've come to the conclusion that many male lead singers are CHICKS! They seem to revel in the drama, they are moody, etc. In fact, I've been very happily married to a wonderful woman for 14 years and my wife acts like way less of a "chick" than most of these male vocalists do. Friggin insufferable DIVAs.

[@snarkykryptonite4768]

sooooo... at one point in your life you considered yourself as a "chick" attitude wise?

[@sedition4267]

Kinda funny. I always had problems with the drummers. For some reason, I got along with 80% of the vocalists because, being the guitar player, we worked so closely together on writing songs. The drummers that I was cursed and doomed to work with were just pricks. (No, not all drummers are pricks, but I think I managed to play with all of them that were.)

[@FrostedSeagull]

That's why I love Ritchie Blackmore. He screwed Ronnie James Dio over at Rainbow. Rainbow Rising according to bass player Roger Glover has sold up to, and most likely by 2020 sold well over 7 million albums! Dio received very few residuals off the Rainbow albums.

[@Nissardpertugiu]

A lot of Lead guitar players endcontrol freaks too

[@readmore4178]

Good point.

[@tiganstudios9712]

I've seen Vivian with Dio, Whitesnake, and Def Leppard. Truly talented.

[@bansheebot2]

Dio seemed short with people most of the time........

[@rikuperhoniemi8639]

jep good observation ;)

[@rickflippin1]

I see what you did there lol brilliant

[@georgejetson3588]

Ha.

[@emt5330]

It brought me up short that you would write that...

[@georgemorris4142]

that was the height of dio's carreer with Campbell

[@adamwarlock5286]

That is a generalisation as Ronnie climbed the (silver) mountain three times with rainbow Sabbath and Dio

[@j_freed]

Yeah but the original Dio band had a magic musical chemistry that was really unique, and when Ronnie lost that he never got it back. Dio threw away his last golden era band because… he was being an arrogant dick towards Campbell. Kind of like Hetfield made Metallica into a joke around the same time he blew out Jason Newstead.

[@williambroadstreet3353]

Really cool interview, people have different views on the parting of these two but I have ALWAYS found Vivian a completely humble, open and decent person. His playing in Dio was stunningly historic and I for one think he is one of the most under rated axe men of all times, for me he blows Phil away, and Phil's shredding is what pisses me off always has but they work well together even if again in my opinion Viv is SO under utilised in Leppard. The set list has changed since he reverted back to his original LP. His filling one of the most iconic geniuses in rock history Steven 'The Riffmaster' Clark were never going to be easy but I again my opinion do think 'Steamin' would've been quite happy Viv got the slot. Viv is a delight to watch, his playing is so sharp, crisp, he gets amazing vibrato and gee he riffs nice. Dio will always be a legend. Again it is just a shame Dio went to his grave with these two legends not reconciling.

[@DTM-ch7jy]

Phil doesn't have the shredding skill that Vivian has but Def Leppard has that signature sound we all know today because of him. Before Phil Def Leppard was basic and almost AC/DC like; no swipe to AC/DC but we don't need another when we got AC/DC. Clarke and Phil made a great team because they were so different. Check out the Last In Line band if you haven't yet. It's not DIO sounding that many would probably want but it's different and shows what a great writer Vivian Campbell has always been. His time in Def Leppard has matured his playing and such a great way.

[@randalljohnson7183]

@@DTM-ch7jy Def Leppard has never sounded like AC/DC, Phil has always been a sloppy "shredder" to me, they need to let Vivian shine more in the band!

[@bumpyroad3251]

@@randalljohnson7183 Yeah man, technically Vivian is levels above Phil, but it's also true that Def Leppard owe their unique sound greatly to Phil's guitar and his ability to sound good

[@sisajtegabre]

Phil is IMHO overrated player but seems like OK person, when i watch what DF singer (won''t say his name) had to say about RIP Clarke wow he is talk such rubbish how he was the only drunk +drugged musician ever + how he could destroy band..i mean you don't talk like that about friend....a bit as well as complete Def Lepard, i mean chek out what shit they talk about Clarke RIP, if He was their friend ...Music is load of shity interests when $$$ enters, it is a job and DL don't care that Viv is great player they need working musician to do specific part for them, probably $ is not shared equal as well ☺..We all know that DIO songs after Viv left were far from that good quality, Def L. never used viv talent at its full potential...regarding shreding Phil have no clue what he is doing he told it alone that S Clarke had music education and invent that double guitar sounds - while Phil had 0. after SC died DL have lost that quality, who knows if they gave more important role to VC i'm sure quality of songs would be better.

[@bumpyroad3251]

@@sisajtegabre Vivian entered Def Leppard in early 90s when grunge was conquering the musical space completely and most Rock/Metal bands went down on quality or disappeared. From this epoch up to nowadays music got only worse with every new decade - we went from bands like Black Sabbath, Whitesnake, Def Leppard to Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and Hootie And The Blowfish only to lately Niki Minaj, Pitbul and Justin Bieber...

[@foodog777]

Great interview! What program do you use for the text?

[@MOAONAABE]

ritchie blackmore said dio was ok when he wasnt getting married

[@zaladatv]

And the other way around for Richie

[@poisonous-shadows]

Wow I didn't know ronnie was that way he always seemed like a down to earth guy but I guess then that camera is on anyone can act nice but I'm not gonna change the way i feel about dio i want to remember him as an amazing singer who made you love the music he sang

[@davidmohr1920]

Girl friends and wives have killed a lot of bands...

[@daveverplank]

The girlfriend in Spinal Tap REALLY killed that band. They went from metal to jazz.

[@danacoleman4007]

AMEN!!

[@readmore4178]

All of them.

[@danacoleman4007]

@@readmore4178 even WHAM!?!?!?

[@readmore4178]

@@danacoleman4007 Good point. Maybe not ALL.

[@Gonboo]

Dio's temper and the way he went about it all is VERY ITALIAN. He probably got it from his upbringing.

[@FNAFEDITS171]

Hey, I’m Italian and I’m 6 feet tall! I DO YELL A LOT THOUGH hahahahaha

[@theadjuster151]

@@FNAFEDITS171 fuggetaboutit!!

[@Dovith]

😂🤣 yesss, that’s us!!!😂🤣😂🤣

[@rickleblanc8900]

Vivian Campbell is way underused in Def Leppard, or rather he deserves better. Going from Dio to ending up in Def Leppard is like taking 10 steps back and phoning in his guitar skills.

[@shahlan68]

I have that same thought all these while. from all those killer riffs on Dio albums, it withered down when he played for DL.

[@jeffjackson9679]

I think he preferred playing in the Riverdogs...but look at the money. That's like refusing to take a job at GM or Dow, so you can keep working at McDonalds.

[@tearitloosetearitloose4670]

Take a look at D. L's record sales

[@barra6709]

Just job stability I suppose. I can't blame him for agreeing to take a backseat behind Phil even though he's a much better guitarist. Dio only paid him $100 a week.

[@nIIe]

Sometimes what we think about a rock star is completely out of tune with reality. They're humans aswell and they can have talent but being obnoxious at the same time. Ozzy was cruel firing up people like they were disposable shit. So... it's good to listen the truth and a different perspective about our metal gods.

[@darthslater6077]

I said it before and I actually talked to Vivian..he should have never played Rhythm guitar for of all guitar players Phil Collin..come one anybody who has heard any of vvs work with Dio would say what the hell!!?? If anything Phil should have been doing the Rhythm for VIVIAN!!

[@johnbrooks2646]

@Neil Mcintosh Viv and Adrian pretty much traded solos 50/50 for that tour.

[@kristoferbatdorf2873]

vivian plays steve clark's leads and phill plays phills leads

[@bumpyroad3251]

@@kristoferbatdorf2873 Logically Phill will play his parts in his own band. But Phil never played with Dio or Whitesnake and I doubt he would have ever had any chance to do it because unlike Vivian Campbell he isn't a master class guitar player, just an average guitarist with much luck whohas been at the right place in the right time.

[@kristoferbatdorf2873]

Valentin Pavlov i was joking i understand that phill plays his own parts i was tryin to just inject some humor. im a musician man i understand people prefer different players and think this player is better and all that, i dont write phill Collen off because he us quite a good guitar player hes better than what alot of people think, but as far as bein in dio or whitesnake i really dont think it would really matter to him if he was in either band or not. hes been commercially and probably financially more successful in def leppard than either of the other 2 bands, not trying to instigate a argument or anything like that just stating plain facts, dont get me wrong im not a huge def leppard but im also not a huge dio or whitesnake fan either other than some dio ive listened to the only thing ive ever heard vivian play that he had a hand in the writing of has been def leppard. i think hes great dont get me wrong i just dont write phill collen off as a guitar player hell they are both better than both of us so hey man do what you and if you can make millions doin it go for it dont matter what band your in

[@bumpyroad3251]

@@kristoferbatdorf2873 I think you are on the wrong path - nobody talks about comercial success and making millions, although I doubt 1980s Whitesnake had made less cash than Def Leppard - if money making was an indication for musical proficiency idiots like Britney Spears and Justin Bieber should be considered the biggest vocals ever, but that's not the case. I'm a guitarplayer and I know that compared to Vivian Campbell Phil Collen falls in amateur's territory.

[@PERenatoSuhett]

Foi um bom guitarrista com Dio. Depois,virou um comum.

[@markgibbins4143]

The river dogs album. Was fantastic

[@j_freed]

Vivian always spoke of RJD’s singing;with reverence even after he got fed up with him as a person and quit the band. Obviously Dio had some personal power and could get away with ego trips. He had the voice that ate England!

[@dive-bomb]

he didn’t quit the band 😂

[@newplan7813]

he's a nice guys

[@slorko]

How could Spencer Sercombe be in Riverdogs when he was in the middle of a record deal with Shark Island and Epic records. I thought he wasn’t in Riverdogs until 1994.

[@f311er]

What is up with the audio on these videos?

[@JJ-gf5qs]

Again with the wives!

[@jeffjackson9679]

Surprised he didn't end up working with Ozzy and having to put up with Sharon's BS at some point!

[@revertinotse8582]

Another Comment saying Vivian was Fired by Dio

[@vinceneilisfat431]

The guitar was always the best part of most mainstream 80's metal and hair metal. Never could stand the singers.

[@lukaszkoziol8302]

"...but his mood could change very quickly..." So could this mean that DIO had BPD???!!!

[@BrianYoungauthor]

As Blackmore said, 'Dio was a bitter little man...', and he was, always taking shots at Rainbow and Blackmore decades AFTER it was over for no reason, and he was really had nothing to gain from it, just being hateful. Fame wasn't enough for him.

[@rikuperhoniemi8639]

I like Cambell's openness. I think that he gets a lot of crap because he had a sense of equality even when he was young. The only thing i dont think is stylish, is putting the other dio alumni down. Not that "disciples" are acting any better nowadays, its horrible. Anyway Vivian you and Last in line rule!!!

[@2113rush]

Can’t screw your band mates, Dio, Ozzy, David, Geof

[@shane1v]

Seems the obvious follow up question was not asked - WHY were you fired from Dio? Cool interview though

[@a.b.317]

Sean Naughton this is a quote from an interview from 2017 "The reason I was fired from the band was that I refused to accept a contract that they offered me which was contrary to the original agreement Ronnie had made with Jimmy, Vinny and myself when the band was first formed. Wendy had different ideas for how it was going to be and for me it was a matter of principle and I refused to sign the contract and that's why I was fired."

[@shane1v]

@@a.b.317 Thanks Andy

[@kiekko673]

Sean Naughton Dio also said, that Vivian wasn’t very committed anymore, and he wanted to play pop instead of Heavy Metal. Viv also started to dress in college pants during concerts, which really pissed Dio off...

[@michaelstephen819]

When you start saying everyone else is difficult to work with, it's time to start looking inward.

[@tonykennedy8483]

True, but Viv has been in Def Leppard since 1992, as Last in Line he still works regularly with guys from Dio which started in the early 80's, and plays with the same folks in the Riverdogs every few years, who've been going since 1990 So he's working with the same folk all the time

[@tonykennedy8483]

@Bret M Sure.........

[@bigdaddycool4242]

Bret M Vivian wasn’t the one going around saying “I wish he’d fucking die” Ronnie speaking of Vivian🤔

[@oregoncoastbeachcomber2060]

@Bret M ummmm ok? I've met him once and follow him on social media. Viv is the most down to earth guy you'd ever want to know. I'm a fan of Dio as well. Love the guy's music, but his ego was 10x as big as his stature was small. No slam intended. Just an observation that lends itself to the idea that RJD was the man more difficult to work with.

[@beansandcornbread]

Dio and Coverdale were always known as pain in the asses. Vivian came out on top though.

[@phillynott2459]

These singers that mistreat the musicians are ridiculous.

[@DavidSmith-ke1xb]

See he good for def leppard

[@konstantin9743]

This is terrible service. I took a yearly subscription because I saw an advertisement on the site that they had a video on how to play the song I wanted. After I paid, the video disappeared, and support sent me to the course page and no longer contacts me.

[@Frank-YYZ]

The one&only.

[@DMidNyte]

Terrible audio

[@UltimateGuitarTv]

It's a raw recording of our phone intevriew with Mr. Vivian Campbell. This is as real as it gets \m/

[@DMidNyte]

Still, you heard him better than we did. I was using earbuds, and still hard to hear, and in only 1 ear, with slapback on the left ear. I stand by my earlier statement.

[@readmore4178]

River dogs?

[@sim7409]

so dio was human...got it

[@darrenlay3198]

The only thing I know about Dio is if he didn't repent before he died all he want is some cold water right now on his tongue

[@dannymcmince]

Jayus, Dio seemed like a real prick, but why now does Viv do the Last i Line tour?

[@foodog777]

Maybe cuz he loves the music and doesn’t have to deal with public humiliation now! 😉

[@jeffjackson9679]

His ex-wife Wendy Dio played a big part of Ronnie acting like he did, if you listen to the other interview from Viv.

[@dannymcmince]

@John Smith Thanks 🎸

[@mauriciohardrock6941]

Because now he can say whatever he wants to the singer, maybe...

[@dankk2754]

I always asked myself “does dio only work with assholes or is he an asshole himself”

[@messi8921]

Ronnie was a Cancer, they can be difficult but if your on their side they are great. Coverdales a Virgo, also can be difficult.

[@dominickefrim3088]

DIO was an ass. He was extremely talented but he was also extremely eccentric.

[@thomascampr]

SORRY but John SYKES blows Campbell away. Took two guitars to fill in for John and still sucked

[@ThunderFalcon333]

Sykes is awesome. I blame him for my black les Paul addiction lol. Sykes is really talented. Where the hell is he.

[@tiberiusclaudiusnerogermanicis]

@@ThunderFalcon333 allegedly making a new album.......... somewhere lol. Yeah yeah yeah.......

[@keithpowell5336]

I like what both John and Vivian did with Whitesnake, but Stevie Vai and Adrienne Vandenberg are my favs. I have seen many incarnations of Whitesnake since around 1984, and every show was great, but one of favorites was watching Stevie Vai and Adrienne Vandenberg together.

[@vinceneilisfat431]

Original Sabbath songs > Dio Sabbath songs

[@mryhdy6266]

You are right, there are more Sabbath songs with Ozzy than with Dio. But the work with Dio blows the early stuff with Ozxy out of the water IMHO.

[@terryfonz4603]

WTF is in the background a damn dog barking? Friggin horrible lmao

[@puertecitos6888]

I worked with Dio for a short time and he was always cranky and i just basically kisseing his ass until it was time for me to go.

[@bigdaddycool4242]

Bret M Yeah, one of the nicest and most sincere later on. Nothing was said of his ego. Promises of more money were made to band members. The band , Vinnie,Jimmie and Vivian were essentially making what the crew was making. Ronnie promised them more money once they were more established.Three albums in, the situation was the same and Vivian complained and requested what was promised and was promptly fired by Wendy Dio. So, years later, when asked about his time with Dio, he says that Ronnie was “a vile human being “. Ronnie’s response was “I hope he fucking dies”. I’ve seen that footage and he doesn’t come across as very nice😑 That being said, I love me some Ronnie! Hell of a singer and musician. Saw him several times. “Vivian’s skill level is nowhere near where he believes”? Lol, where’s yours? How many people can say they’ve worked with three notable bands over the last thirty years?

[@funkster007]

Bret M I couldn't agree more with your first sentence. But that doesn't mean Ronnie wasn't exempt from being hard to work with. Same for Viv. Both very vocal type A personalities. Unless you know or knew them personally, you can only speculate what went on behind the scenes.

[@puertecitos6888]

@Bret M , sorry to say this buddy but you are full of shit. RJD was a mean guy. he was mean to me and everybody i witnessed him working with. there is sweetness when the cameras are on him but you dont know shit when the cameras are off because you werent there behind the scenes.

[@stopthehate1749]

@@malikaihoon7337 LMFAO

[@tomscheland7069]

He die from cancer not funny..

[@yeahsure8323]

No offense but the lead singers really made the band's regardless of the musicians.

[@tearitloosetearitloose4670]

And that's why Led Zeppelin finished up after Bonham died. And AC/DC continued on after Bon Scott died. Just saying it's not always only about the singer.