Spinner

Potent Quotables: Campbell's Big Blunder


"We certainly haven't gone country ... I'm sure Merle Haggard is turning in his grave." --Vivian Campbell

While the Def Leppard guitarist did make an interesting point about today's country sounding like 1980's rock, in fact Merle Haggard isn't turning in his grave. Yeah, he's alive, dude.

All the AOL Music info you want to know

Dierks Bentley, 'Live on Letterman'…

The Boot

Ethan Miller, Getty Images Country takes over the city, as Dierks Bentley is…

Drake, Juno Awards 2012: Young Money MC…

The Boombox

Getty Images After hosting the Juno Awards last year -- the Canadian…

Grammy Awards: Hip-Hop and R&B Albums…

The Boombox

Amazon.com The Best Rap Album category was born in 1996, during the…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

33 Comments

Filter by:
Joe

PETE WILLIS ! where are you ? put some music out , start a web page, something !!! These clowns are ruining the awesome early LEP work you did. We know you were the mastermind behind all of that incredible music geneous of the first three albums. We saw the difference after you left, it was horrible. All they could do was kiss the camera and play a bunch of electronic crap. S.O.S. Pete, save LEP from the horrible path they've taken.

November 29 2009 at 6:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Joe

Pete Willis, where are you ? save Def Leppard from the horrible mess that they've made of themselves. Please come back. They're ruining the Lep rep. of old.

November 29 2009 at 6:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Joe

Bring Pete Willis back !!! he was the true talent and songwriter for the band. After he left, so did the talent and the good music. It's a shame because these candy guitarists like Phil Colin and Vivianna play like sissies.

November 29 2009 at 6:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
paulette lavender

I know Vivian personally and he is not a jerk. He is a nice man and one of the funniest guys you will ever meet. Yes his jokes do fall short sometimes. I am sure it has happened to all of us. And he made a mistake. only difference is when he makes a mistake the whole world knows where as if we make a mistake a few people know and it is quickly forgotten. Viv is an awesome dad and an awesome guitar player. I love him to death and think he is a good replacement for Steve Clark may he R.I.P

August 24 2009 at 3:04 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Rob

i cant believe the ignorance here,knockin Viv like you are doing.give the man a break,i mean it did rumor one time that this Merle Haggard had died and didnt,hes most likely not a country music fan,Thumbs Up To Viv for that.you do have to give the man props for what he has done for Def Leppard,i mean i agree hes no Steve Clark but he was there to pick up the pieces for them when they needed a guitarist and for that hes got all my respect.Thank You Viv for your Talent,very much an inspiration,keep rockin...

August 17 2009 at 5:42 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sherri

Merle just played here in Roanoke, VA in June....

July 17 2009 at 1:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tony Martin

Just saw Merle in concert in June. He looked a little thin---but Merle is the best country singer/writer we have ever seen. His 60's/70's hits are stuff of legend and today's wannabe's wish they had 10% of the "It" that Merle had. Get hold of a box set-----magical music in a magical time.

July 17 2009 at 11:52 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
alandpamt

LOVE Merle Haggard and never heard of that Vivian guy!
God Bless all !!

July 17 2009 at 10:33 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
hobbsoldbg65

Merle Haggard just looks dead most of the time. All those years of being stoned made him age badly. I knew him as a teenager in Bakersfield ca, Oildale to be specific. He used to live in my neighborhood and would sing to the girls in Henrys Malt shop. Whoa, he was good looking then.

July 17 2009 at 8:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
lilrickysmom

Pete,

Richard John Cyril "Rick" Allen (born November 1, 1963, Dronfield, Derbyshire, England) is the drummer for the English hard rock band Def Leppard. He is famous for overcoming the complete amputation of his left arm and continuing to play with the band, which subsequently went on to its greatest popular success worldwide.

Allen's current setup uses DW acoustic drums, Zildjian acoustic cymbals, Hart Dynamics Acupad electronic pads, Akai samplers, and custom-manufactured cable routing by Whirlwind. He uses four electronic pedals for his left foot to play the pieces he used to play with his left arm, which from left to right trigger sounds of a closing hi-hat, bass drum, snare drum, and a tom drum. [1] He is ranked #7 on the UK website Gigwise in the 100 Greatest Drummers Of All Time list. [2]

On the 14th of June 2009, Allen headlined Download Festival with the rest of Def Leppard. Towards the end of the set, vocalist Joe Elliot dedicated the set to Rick in scenes reminiscent of their 1986 Monsters Of Rock performance. What followed was well over five minutes of ovation from the crowd and Allen being taken aback with tears.

July 17 2009 at 8:49 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply