The recipient of this year’s ‘Oh Yeah Legend Award’ will be legendary rock and metal guitarist, Vivian Campbell.
The award is presented in conjunction with The NI Music Prize ceremony, and celebrates ‘the exceptional contribution of a musician or music industry figure from Northern Ireland’.
Vivian Campbell is one of the most recognisable names of NI rock royalty, starting his career with NWOBHM forerunners Sweet Savage, before writing and touring throughout the ‘80s with Thin Lizzy, Dio, Whitesnake and more. As of 1992, he has been a permanent member of Def Leppard, celebrating 25 years with the band this year.
He continues to work on a number of other projects, including Last In Line – a project with former Dio/Black Sabbath drummer Vinny Apace, Offspring guitarist Andrew Freeman and Ozzy/Billy Idol bassist Phil Soussan.
Last In Line will perform in Belfast’s Mandela Hall following the presentation of the award on 11th November 2017, which also be the culmination of this year’s Sound Of Belfast festival.
Previous recipients of the Oh Yeah Legends Award to date include Terri Hooley, Henry McCullough, The Undertones, Stiff Little Fingers, Gary Moore, Therapy?, Divine Comedy and Ash.
"I've been very fortunate that my life's work has also been my passion”, Vivian says. “It's an honour to be recognised for that, and especially so when that recognition comes from my fellow countrymen."
Oh Yeah CEO Charlotte Dryden enthuses, “Vivian Campbell is a global rock name, he’s fully deserving of this award, rock has played a massive role in the story of music in NI and Vivian is one of the trail blazers.”
