Def Leppard Kicks Off 2025 Tour in Mexico with Stand-in Guitarist

Def Leppard launched their 2025 tour at Mexico's Foro Mazda. John Zocco hit the stage in Leon while Vivian Campbell recovers from medical treatment.

"Vivian Campbell cannot be with us tonight. He's just recovering from some treatment for his cancer. So, manfully, please say hello to the guy that's standing in for him tonight, Mr. John Zocco on guitar," Joe Elliott told fans.

The band played to a full 14,600-person arena during the city's Feria Estatal festival. Zocco, who typically serves as Phil Collen's tech, kept the band's twin-guitar sound intact.

They played 19 songs throughout the show. Fans jumped to their feet for hits like "Rock Rock!" while "Love Bites" and "Pour Some Sugar On Me" got everyone singing—the band heads to Puerto Rico on May 15.

Campbell's latest break comes as part of his ongoing battle since being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2013. He's gone through several rounds of treatment over the last ten years.

"I'm still dealing with the lymphoma. It's sort of like – it's an American expression – Whac-a-Mole. You beat something back and then it pops up somewhere else. But it's been a pretty consistent battle, but it hasn't been too difficult for me. I deal with it fine. I've been able to live my life," Campbell said in a Lymphoma Voices podcast back in 2023.

When Campbell needed breaks before, the band had a plan ready. In 2014 and 2015, Trixter's Steve Brown stepped in while Campbell underwent treatment. Currently, Campbell's medical team is using immunotherapy with pembrolizumab.