DEF LEPPARD guitarist Vivian Campbell has issued the following update:

"It's that time again. I really have very mixed feelings about that time. I'm referring, of course, to the end of the tour. On the one hand, it's essential to go home - especially as a parent. But there really is a strong sense of sadness associated with saying goodbye to a bunch of people with whom you've shared an intense association over several months.

We all can relate to the sadness of saying goodbye, but for those of you not familiar with the lifestyle on a rock n' roll tour, let me explain a bit about what it is that Rick Allen (drums) refers to as 'submarine duty'.

Due to the close proximity of touring and the circus-like nature of it, we all develop unique friendships that, in civilian life, would probably take years to nurture. It's a very surreal environment that often serves up bizarre situations that are ideal ice-breakers for getting to know a disparate bunch of people real quick. It's somewhat of a hyper-accelerated bonding process, all set against a Fellini-like backdrop.

This tour in particular was even more intense, given the numbers of personnel involved between Leppard's and JOURNEY's crews. Most bands, it seems, have a clear line of demarcation that separates them from their road crews. Leppard have never adhered to this school of thought and thus we've always been proud of the fact that our crew enjoy their work with us as a result; we're all equal in it together...except that we're just better paid and get all the adulation and glory...but I digress. Journey, I'm glad to say, seem to share this philosophy, and thus the whole nature of the Yeah! tour 2006 has been one big mushy, feel-good, touchy-kissy, love-fest!

Which is why it's so hard to say goodbye. Most of our own people we will see again, give or take a few. But the Journey peeps will be lost to us, likely forever. We wish each and every one of them well, as we do you, dear Lepp-fans, for you, too, will be sadly missed. Till next time...what is it that Joe always says? Oh yeah; 'Don't forget us and we won't forget you.'

Indeed, who could ever forget such an experience."