DEF LEPPARD's VIVIAN CAMPBELL Overjoyed After Successful Transplant (Audio)

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Friday, 13th June 2025

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Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell recently appeared on US radio and gave a very positive health update.

Def Leppard kicked off their 2025 in León, Mexico at Foro Mazda on 18th January.

Vivian Campbell was absent and revealed just after the show that he underwent a transplant operation.

This has resulted in him also missing a show in October 2024.

He has since returned to the stage for the two shows in May in Puerto Rico and Ocean City, MD.

Vivian Campbell Interview/Health Update

Vivian has now given an interview on US radio with Eddie Trunk and gave a very positive update on his health.

He talked about the history of his illness and the recent setbacks before revealing he is now "100% clean".

His transplant was successful and he is now in remission for the first time in 12 to 13 years.

Vivian also posted on update in IG recently showing he has been rally driving since the last show which suggested he was in great health after his live comeback.

The 2025 Summer Tour starts (again) in a few days time in Milwaukee, WI.

Read Vivian's quotes below and listen to the audio clip (full interview to follow).

Visit the Tour News section. For more news on future tour plans.

Visit the Album News section for more news on new music (based on band member quotes).

Vivian Campbell 12th June 2025 Interview Quotes - (Transcribed by dltourhistory)

Illness Setbacks

You know, I've been very lucky, actually.

I got an early diagnosis for Hodgkin's lymphoma 13 years ago — 12 years ago, something like that.

You know, being around the houses, through the mill, with all sorts of chemo and immunotherapy and combination therapies.

2014 Stem Cell Surgery

And 10 years ago, I did an autologous stem cell transplant, which means using my own stem cells.

That didn't work.

The cancer kept coming back.

Further Setbacks

And then, a couple of years ago, it really got bad.

So it was the first time, in having to deal with it, that I was seriously concerned about it.

2024 Transplant

And, you know, the doctors told me really my only chance for a cure was to do a donor transplant.

And that's exactly what I did.

Starting last summer, during our tour, I started doing more chemo in preparation for it.

And then, right after the tour, they started giving me very hardcore chemo leading up to the transplant.

I was supposed to start after Thanksgiving, and I lost my donor 10 days beforehand.

So that was a kick in the nuts.

But I was very fortunate that they found me another one in December.

And on New Year's Eve, I went into hospital.

I was in for about three and a half weeks, and I did what has turned out to be a really, really successful transplant.

Clear Of Lymphoma

So I did a PET scan in the middle of April, and I'm 100% clean — completely in remission for the first time in 12 or 13 years.

And I am obviously overjoyed.

You know, you couldn't ask for more than that.

I had an incredible donor.

They marked their 10 genetic markers, and this donor was a 10 out of 10 — a young man, actually.

I don't get to know who he is for a couple of years, but a 21-year-old man.

And they always prefer a youthful donor.

Beer Time!

And, you know, obviously, I'm going to buy him a beer — or two or three.

Vivian Campbell is cancer free for the first time in almost 12 years! Hear about all of it plus @DefLeppard and more . Viv was on my show yesterday. Now on demand @SIRIUSXM app. Coming soon to my podcast. pic.twitter.com/LTdetyU7kQ
— Eddie Trunk (@EddieTrunk) June 12, 2025