![]() ![]() The band had by then caught the attention of AC/DC producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange, who agreed to work on their second album, High 'n' Dry, released on July 11, 1981. A performance at the Reading Festival in August (Iron Maiden also appeared) was marred when audience members expressed their displeasure by pelting the band with rubbish. Although the album hit the Top 15 in the UK, many early fans were turned off by the perception that the band was trying too hard to appeal to American audiences by recording songs like "Hello America" and touring more in the US (supporting Pat Travers, AC/DC, and Ted Nugent). Their growing popularity led to a record deal with the major label Phonogram/Vertigo (Mercury Records in the US).ĭef Leppard's debut album, On Through the Night, was released on March 14, 1980. ![]() Throughout 1979, the band developed a loyal following among British hard rock/heavy metal fans and were even initially considered the leaders of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (a status eventually claimed by Iron Maiden). Sales of the EP soared after the track "Getcha Rocks Off" was given extensive airtime by renowned BBC Radio DJ John Peel, considered at the time to be a champion of punk rock and new wave music. By the end of the month Rick Allen, then only 15 years old, had joined the band as its full-time drummer. He was replaced for those sessions by Frank Noon. In November, just prior to recording sessions for what would be a three-song release known as the Def Leppard EP, Kenning abruptly left the band. According to Joe Elliott, he successfully auditioned for the band by playing Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Freebird" in its entirety. In January of 1978, Steve Clark joined the band. At Kenning's suggestion, the spelling was slightly modified in order to make the name seem less like that of a punk band. Soon afterward they adopted a name proposed by Elliott, "Deaf Leopard", which was originally a band name he thought up while writing reviews for imaginary rock bands in his English class. ![]() During his audition, however, it was decided that he was better suited to be the lead singer. Following a chance meeting with Willis after missing a bus, 18-year old Joe Elliott tried out for the band as a guitarist. Rick Savage (bass), Pete Willis (guitar), and Tony Kenning (drums), all students at Tapton School in Sheffield, formed a band called Atomic Mass in 1977. Largely on the strength of their albums Pyromania and Hysteria, Def Leppard became one of the top-selling rock bands throughout the 1980s, selling over 65 million albums worldwide, including over 35 million in the United States alone. The 36-date trek, which is due to wrap September 9 in Las Vegas, was originally scheduled to take place in the summer of 2020 but ended up being pushed back to 2021, and then to 2022, due to the coronavirus crisis.Def Leppard are an English rock band from Sheffield, who formed in 1977 during the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Last Thursday, June 16, Def Leppard launched ‘The Stadium Tour’ with Mötley Crüe and guests Poison and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts in Atlanta, Georgia. Granted unlimited access to the Def Leppard vault, the book includes handwritten correspondence, rare vinyl pressings, tour memorabilia, music video storyboards, draft album artwork, press cuttings, previously unpublished photographs and much more. In a wide-ranging account from the band and archive text from past members, Definitely chronicles Def Leppard’s incredible story, from their humble beginnings rehearsing in a spoon factory in Sheffield, to recording ground-breaking multi-platinum albums and touring sold-out stadiums around the world.Īlongside the book’s text are hundreds of items from the band’s combined and personal archives, presenting over four decades of Def Leppard history. During their 45-year history, Def Leppard have continued to make new music - with 12 studio albums to their name, including their 2022 release Diamond Star Halos - finding success with every record and tour. While becoming one of the world’s best-selling music artists with blockbuster albums Pyromania and Hysteria, the band overcame drummer Rick Allen’s accident and the death of bandmate Steve Clark. ![]()
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