The Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast has announced that this year’s Oh Yeah Legend Award will go to one of Northern Ireland’s leading rock guitarists, Vivian Campbell.
Running alongside the NI Music Prize, the presentation will mark the culmination of the Sound of Belfast festival (2-11 November 2017) and will be followed by a live performance by Vivian with his current band, Last In Line, at Mandela Hall, Belfast.
Vivian Campbell is one of the leading names in rock from Northern Ireland. His story is one of global success that began with Sweet Savage, a band considered to be one of the most influential of the ‘New Wave of British Metal’, writing music that influenced the likes of Metallica, who went on to cover a Sweet Savage song.
Vivian has since written, performed, toured and worked with some of the biggest names in rock including Thin Lizzy, DIO, Whitesnake and Riverdogs. In 1992, he found a permanent home with British rock legends, Def Leppard, and he celebrates 25 years with the band this year.
Previous recipients of the Oh Yeah Legend Award are:
- Terri Hooley (2008)
- Henry McCullough (2009)
- The Undertones (2010)
- Stiff Little Fingers (2011)
- Gary Moore (posthumous) (2012)
- Therapy? (2014)
- Divine Comedy (2015)
- Ash (2016)
Vivian Campbell said:
‘I’ve been very fortunate that my life’s work has also been my passion. 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, said:
‘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 Northern Ireland and Vivian is one of the trail blazers.’
Header photo: Vivian Campbell
