Def Leppard History

Def Leppard has paid for its fame with blood, sweat, tears & limbs, proving that success doesn’t come cheap

Def Leppard: Simple UK School Boys
Def Leppard began life in 1977 as Atomic Mass, the creation of schoolmates Rick Savage (bass guitar), Pete Willis (guitar), and Tony Kenning (drums) who were students at Tapton School in the steel town of Sheffield, England. The boys auditioned for guitarists and found Joe Elliott, who would later become the band’s lead singer. Joe Elliott suggested the band change its name to Deaf Leopard, which the band agreed upon but chose to alter the spelling to Def Leppard to appear more punk rock. In 1978, the band chose Steve Clark to be its second guitarist. Later in the year drummer Tony Kenning was replaced by then 15-year-old Rick Allen.

Def Leppard:  Winning over fans
Def Leppard released its first self-titled EP in 1978. The song "Getcha Rocks Off" owed its radio airplay to legendary BBC DJ John Peel, a well-known champion for punk and new-wave bands who put the song on rotation at BBC radio. The band released its first full-length album On through the Night in 1980, which topped the UK Charts. Def Leppard worked with famed producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange on its second album High ‘n’ Dry in 1981. The song “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak” was a hit in the U.S. and opened the door to an opening spot on Ozzy Osbourne’s tour.

Def Leppard: On the Rise
After replacing guitarist Pete Willis with Phil Collen, due to Willis’ alcohol abuse, Def Leppard released its third album, Pyromania in 1983. The album sold over six million copies that year alone. The success propelled the band into the U.S. limelight; Def Leppard was viewed as a part of the new wave of British heavy metal along with other bands like Motorhead and Iron Maiden. The first single, “Photograph” rose to No. 12 on the Billboard Pop charts and was the most requested MTV video that year. With the help of MTV, Def Leppard would be propelled to stardom with future videos. Other hit singles from Pyromania include “Foolin’” and “Rock of Ages.”

Def Leppard: Hysteria on all fronts
In 1984, as the band worked on its fourth album, drummer Rick Allen was involved in a terrible car accident in the hills outside Sheffield, England, which cost him his arm. Rick Allen refused to accept that he would never drum again. With his band mate’s support, Rick Allen committed himself to learning how to drum again by using a custom Simmons electronic drum kit, which allowed him to utilize his legs in substitution of his missing arm. Def Leppard released Hysteria in 1987. It contained an amazing six hit singles such as the rock anthem, “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and the monster power ballad, “Love Bites,” which sold over 18 million copies and stayed on the Billboard charts for three years.

Def Leppard: Hysteria adrenalizes
Def Leppard completed a grueling 15-month world tour for Hysteria that allowed the band to widen their fan base and popularity. In 1989, the band won Favorite Heavy Metal Album at the American Music Awards. Def Leppard tried to begin work on its follow-up album but guitarist Steve Clark’s alcoholism was out of control and eventually cost him his life in 1991. The band continued on as a four-piece and released Adrenalize in 1992. The album reached the No. 1 spot on both the UK and U.S. album charts. The video for the first single “Let’s Get Rocked” was nominated for Best Video of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1992.

Def Leppard: Beyond Hysteria
With the rise of Grunge rock in the early ‘90s, heavy metal acts like Def Leppard saw their popularity decline. Def Leppard released Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits (1980–1995) in 1995, selling over eight million copies. The collection included a new song, "When Love & Hate Collide," which hit No. 2 on the UK charts. The band released its sixth album Slang in 1996, which was critically acclaimed in the UK. In 1997, the VH1 show Behind the Music ignited interest in the band, and Def Leppard capitalized on it by releasing Euphoria in 1999. The first single “Promises” stayed at No. 1 for three straight weeks.

Def Leppard: Legends don’t sleep
Def Leppard was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by famed Queen Guitarist Brian May in 2000. Off the success of its Behind the Music documentary, VH1 produced a biopic called Hysteria: the Def Leppard Story in 2001, which provided the network with its highest ratings that year. The following year, Def Leppard took their music in a lighter direction with its ninth album, X.  In 2006, the band released an all-covers album entitled, Yeah! The band was once again honored by VH1 when it inducted them into the VH1 Rock Honors show along with Queen, Kiss and Judas Priest. Def Leppard has since toured with many rock vets like Styx, Journey, Foreigner and White Snake.

Def Leppard: Soldiering onward
In 2008, with no plans of slowing down, Def Leppard released its 10th album Songs from the Sparkle Lounge. The album features a guest appearance by Tim McGraw on the lead single, “Nine Lives.” The album reached No. 5 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart and No. 1 on the Rock chart. Def Leppard will embark on a major tour in support of Sparkle Lounge that will take them to over 20 European countries with stops in North America and Japan. The band will be supported by several acts like Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Billy Idol, Styx, REO Speedwagon and Everclear.