Tone Timeline
Vivian Campbell — Tone Evolution
Vivian Campbell is best known as Def Leppard's lead guitarist from 1992, but his earlier work with Dio on Holy Diver (1983) and the subsequent Last in Line (1984) represent some of the finest melodic metal lead guitar of the decade. A Les Paul Custom through a Marshall gives his playing its warm, vocal quality.
1982–1986: Dio / Holy Diver
"Rainbow in the Dark" and "Rock and Roll Children" from Holy Diver (1983) and The Last in Line (1984) feature Campbell's most celebrated playing — melodic, singing lead lines over Ronnie James Dio's operatic vocals. His Les Paul through a Marshall JCM 800 produced a warm, harmonically rich tone that suited Dio's fantasy-metal context. He left after Intermission in 1986 amid disputes with Dio.
Signal Chain
1992–present: Def Leppard
↑ Def Leppard context required more precision than Dio's dramatic heavy metal — Campbell adapted without changing his core warm Les Paul/Marshall approach.
Campbell joined Def Leppard after Steve Clark's death and has been their lead guitarist for over thirty years. Adrenalize (1992) was his first record with the band — produced with the same hyper-precise Mutt Lange approach. His Les Paul remained primary. He survived a cancer diagnosis in 2013 and continued touring and recording throughout treatment.
Signal Chain