Why was guitarist Vivian Campbell kicked out from Whitesnake?
Former Whitesnake guitarist Adrian Vandenberg explains.
In a recent interview, Adrian explained the reason signer David Coverdale kicked out Def Leppard’s Vivian Campbell from the band
“I remember that once we started rehearsing initially on ‘Slip of the Tongue,’ the first couple of rehearsals, Vivian was there, and he was just really moody because David wanted to work with me as far as songs.
Vivian was not really happy, and the thing goes, the important reason that David decided he didn’t want to work in that atmosphere. But on the road, for me, everything was great.”
37 comments
Too bad. Adrian cannot write good songs. Coverdale killed the golden goose with John Sykes. Then could have had Adrian, who Dio killed the golden goose of.
You must not have ever listened to the first couple of Vandenberg records, some great songs on both albums and great guitar playing as well. Sykes is no slouch indeed and 1987 is as good as a heavy rock album as they come (easily top ten best for me personally) but Adrian has some great chops and really should have played and arranged the guitars on Slip of the Tongue, it would have given you and others a better idea of what he’s capable of. Vivian wrote some great songs with Dio too of course and surely a collaboration with Coverdale could have have resulted in another great album but we’ll never know. Coverdale always had a hard-on for Adrian, even before Sykes joined Whitesnake, there was no way he was going to choose Vivian over Adrian.
Vivian Cambell never “wrote” anything for Dio. Ronnie James Dio wrote everything, including the guitar parts, He told Viv what to play, when to play, and where to play. That’s why Viv left Dio, because as Ronnie James Dio told him “You can write this songs, when the album says Campbell on the cover”
Have you heard the 2020 album from Vandenberg? It is really, really good!
I think Adrian maybe remembering this wrong! Coverdale did get rid of Campbell because of the atmosphere in the band but it was apparently because Campbells partner and Coverdales Tawny? Didn’t get on and it was causing problems within the vand
Y’all need to listen to the riverdogs first album with Vivian it freaking smokes!!
LMAO! cant write good songs?! lol Maybe go listen to the 1st 3 Dio albums.
Back off the pipe. Adrian was never on the first 3 Dio albums. Vivian was and he was best thing to happen to Dio, until the wife manager pulled a Sharon. And I repeat, Adrian cannot write good songs.
Adrian has written excellent songs, if you have hearing problems it is another story
The most hits ,
Where written and played by Adrian.
Here i go again, second version .
Is this love.
The deeper the love.
Fool for your loving..
Look at the credits.
And after those two albums,
David wanted to retire .
But after a few years,
Hé wanted to continue again,
And the first one he called was Adrian,
But he had his own band .
Of the songs you listed, the only one Vandenberg has a writing credit on is “The Deeper The Love” – the rest were written before he joined the band.
You speak the truth! A number of songs were written back with Moody/Marsden and reworked. They were not re-written and should not be given writing credits. I like all those guitarists. The reality is, none of us will know the true reason.
Fool for your loving was written by Coverdale, Moody and Marsden sir.
Adrian played a solo on here I go again, fool for your loving was written in like 1980 and the rerecorded version was done by vai, is this love was written and performed by Sykes! Deeper the love may have been written by Adrian, but Vai performed it!
Absolutely correct!
Are you joking, half the songs you listed were written by the old Whitesnake before either Sykes or VanDenberg or even Galley were members of the Band- wise up and do your research
He only did the guitar solo in Is This Love. Here I go again was written in the early 80s. with Bernie marsden the original guitarist from slide it in album. Fool for your love was also written in early 80s late 70s, also with Bernie Marsen. Get your facts straight
Adrian didn’t write those songs you mentioned. Several are older Whitesnake songs re-recorded for the late 80’s album
Here i go again (Marsden/Coverdale)
Is This Love? (Coverdale/Sykes)
The deeper the love. (Vandenberg/Coverdale)
Fool for your loving..(Coverdale/Marsden/Moody)
I’m quite convinced that Adrian is a far better song writer than Vivian actually… Both excellent guitarists of course, but I seriously doubt Vivian has written anything good (yes, I know he’s credited for some of the Dio classics but I don’t think they’re were his ideas). And I things it’s very strange to say that Adrian is a bad songwriter. Slip Of The Tongue has got some REALLY good compositions on it and Sailing Ships is a masterpiece. Personally I also like the first “Vandenberg’s Moon Kings” album a lot.
I’m guessing you’ve never listened to any of his solo work,cause it’s awesome
Adrian no puede escribir buenas canciones? Jajajajajajajajajajajaja
Yup – Sykes was the best.
100%. its never 1 guy its the The good the bad and the ugly of everyone’s input and the result of Those ingredients that creates the hits ! The inner turmoil works through it because you start changing the ingredients via kicking people out it’s never gonna taste the same
In a nutshell……..ADRIAN SUCKS!!!
You are a twat
Adrian co-wrote every song (except Fool For Your Lovin’) on “Slip of the Tongue” which had multiple hit singles and went platinum. He also co-wrote every song on “Restless Heart” which is a really great bluesy throwback to Whitesnake’s pre-1987 sound.
Before you slam Adrian’s songwriting, direct to something you wrote that is better. Otherwise shut up. It is easy to be a critic; all you have to do is be full of __it, and be in love with your own words.
Vandenbergs 3 albums was pure gold especially the first. Adrian wrote all the lyrics and did all the shredding. Seen them in concert as well opening up for Ozzy. They got a standing ovation which was a rare feat for a opening band for ozzy
He got confused between Adrian and Vivian, 2 rockstars with 50’s mom names
Hahahahaha so funny
Fool for your loving and Here i go again is written by Marsden, Moody and Coverdale in 1980 and 1982,
Well neither Adrian nor Vivian wrote or recorded on the 1987 album all the recording aside from Coverdale’s vocals were already done by the former band members.
For me, not a big Viv fan. Adrian didn’t get a fair shake with his injury either. Sykes was the only dude for me with the Snake. He had the tone, swagger, and the talent. Nothing against Vivian, talented guy, but just don’t feel it. Peace ☮️
I doubt it… Viv has always been used to being a hired gun… Explain again why Vai recorded the whole album…
Well, Vivian always thought like an employee. From the day one, when he played with Dio, it was always “yes, sir”. OK, it worked… For some time. When he joined Whitesnake, he had this same mentality, had a bad day and David Coverdale probably thought “well, he ain’t worth my time”.
BTW, how come he is playing with Def Leppard for +30 years? Because he does what the band wants. They’ll never ever find another talented composer like Steve Clark and they know it. So… “Let’s stick to what we know” (it would be better if they ALWAYS thought that way…)
What I had heard was that Adrian was really sick and the studio time was coming to an end, so at the last minute Vai was asked to play/record what Adian was supposed to do.
Slip of the tongue is my favorite album, kudos to Adrian for composing it, but can’t be more happier that Vai recorded them all.