Richard Fortus to replace Viv Campbell in Thin Lizzy

THIN LIZZY TOUR DATES RUN FROM MAY 30 TO JULY 24

Rock News Desk
GN'R guitarist Richard Fortus played a few tracks with Thin Lizzy in Chicago last week – and he’ll join the band next month when Vivian Campbell returns to Def Leppard.

Campbell revealed the news after his final US appearance with Phil Lynott’s reactivated band, currently starring original-era members Scott Gorham, Brian Downey and Darren Wharton alongside Campbell, ex-Whitesnake bassist Marco Mendoza and ex-Almighty frontman Ricky Warwick.

Fortus will take over after Lizzy play at Slaine Castle, Ireland, on May 28. Campbell reports: “Well, that was it: my last US show with Lizzy – and it was a great one to end on. New guitarist Richard Fortus came and played a couple of songs.

“I have one final gig with them in Ireland, and the very next day we start Def Lep rehearsals.”

Leppard are going back to work after a year’s break, and planning to write a new album while they tour for the rest of 2011. The band will play two shows with Thin Lizzy and special guest Alice Cooper in Ireland, on June 7 and 8, ahead of their appearance at the UK Download festival on June 10 – but Campbell has already ruled himself out of playing two sets on those nights, saying: “My allegiance has to be to Def Leppard.”

Meanwhile, Fortus’ day-job band Guns n’Roses will face a hefty fine if they start their Rock in Rio festival headline slot late on October 2.

Frontman Axl Rose is well-known for keeping audiences waiting up to two hours. Although many of his fans feel it’s part of what makes Rose unique, it’s led to negative reactions from some quarters in the past, and can be a headache for event organisers who have to pay fines themselves if they break curfews or manage a show which could be seen to risk crowd safety.

GnR last played Rock in Rio in 2001, and hit the stage two hours late, although there were no heated scenes during the delay. But festival vice-president Robert Medina says: “It was the hardest show to arrange in our history.

“No other artist has a late clause. Bands are usually on time, but Guns is a different case. Lateness like the one in 2001 can make the public feel uncomfortable and possibly start a riot.”