Def Leppard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Def Leppard
Def Leppard band members in 2018: Phil Collen, Vivian Campbell, Joe Elliott, Rick Savage, Rick Allen
Background information
Also known as	Atomic Mass (1976–1977) Accracy (1977) Chemical Reactor (1977) Deaf Leopard (1977) Ded Flatbird (2013)
Origin	Sheffield, England
Genres	Heavy metal hard rock glam metal arena rock power pop
Years active	1976–present
Labels	Jugoton Croatia Records Mercury Universal Phonogram Vertigo PolyGram Bludgeon-Riffola (their own label) Island Frontiers earMUSIC
Associated acts	Atomic Mass Cybernauts
Members	Rick Savage Joe Elliott Rick Allen Phil Collen Vivian Campbell
Past members	Tony Kenning Pete Willis Steve Clark

Def Leppard is a famous English rock band that started in 1976 in Sheffield. Since 1992, the band has had the same five members: Rick Savage (bass guitar, backing vocals), Joe Elliott (lead vocals), Rick Allen (drums), Phil Collen (guitar, backing vocals), and Vivian Campbell (guitar, backing vocals). They became well-known as part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement in the early 1980s. The band had their biggest success from the early 1980s to the early 1990s.

With Rick Savage, Joe Elliott, Rick Allen, and guitarists Steve Clark and Pete Willis, their first album, On Through the Night (1980), reached the Top 15 in the UK. Their second album, High 'n' Dry (1981), was produced by Mutt Lange. He helped them create their unique melodic hard rock sound. The song "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" from this album was one of the first rock videos shown on MTV in 1982.

Pete Willis was replaced by Phil Collen in 1982. Their next album, Pyromania, came out in January 1983. Songs like "Photograph" and "Rock of Ages" became huge hits in the US. Pyromania reached No. 2 on the US album chart and sold over 10 million copies in the US.

The band's fourth album, Hysteria (1987), was even more successful. It topped the charts in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia. Hysteria has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums ever. It included six Top 20 US singles, such as "Love Bites" (US No. 1) and "Pour Some Sugar on Me" (US No. 2).

Steve Clark passed away in 1991. The band recorded their next album, Adrenalize, as a four-piece. This album reached No. 1 in the UK, US, and Australia in 1992. It featured hits like "Let's Get Rocked" and "Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad". Vivian Campbell joined the band after this album was finished. Their 1993 album, Retro Active, had the acoustic hit "Two Steps Behind". Their greatest hits album Vault (1995) included the UK No. 2 hit "When Love & Hate Collide".

Def Leppard has sold over 100 million records worldwide. They are one of only five rock bands with two albums, Pyromania and Hysteria, that have sold over 10 million copies each in the US. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.

Band History

Early Days and Forming the Band (1976–1979)

Vocalist Joe Elliott (left) and bassist Rick Savage (right), pictured in 2014, are the sole remaining original members of Def Leppard.

Rick Savage, Tony Kenning, and Pete Doubleday formed a band called Atomic Mass in 1976. Pete Willis joined in 1977. Joe Elliott tried out for the band as a guitarist in November 1977, but they decided he was better suited to be the lead singer.

Elliott suggested the name "Deaf Leopard," which he thought of while designing band posters. The spelling was changed slightly to "Def Leppard" to make it sound less like a punk band. In January 1978, Steve Clark joined as a guitarist.

In November 1978, Tony Kenning left the band. He was replaced by Rick Allen, who was only 15 years old at the time. The band's first release, The Def Leppard E.P., became popular after the song "Getcha Rocks Off" was played on BBC Radio 1.

By 1979, Def Leppard had a strong following among British rock and metal fans. They were seen as leaders of the new wave of British heavy metal movement. This led to a record deal with Phonogram/Vertigo.

First Albums: On Through the Night and High 'n' Dry (1980–1981)

Def Leppard's first album, On Through the Night, came out on March 14, 1980. It reached the Top 15 in the UK.

The band then worked with producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange on their second album, High 'n' Dry, released on July 6, 1981. Lange's careful work helped them develop their unique sound. The music video for "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" was one of the first metal videos shown on MTV in 1982, which helped the band become more visible in the US.

New Guitarist and Pyromania Success (1982–1983)

Guitarist Phil Collen (pictured in 2003) joined the band in 1982.

On July 11, 1982, Pete Willis left the band. He was replaced by Phil Collen the very next day. This change happened while they were recording their third album, Pyromania, which was released on January 20, 1983.

The first single, "Photograph", made Def Leppard a household name. It became the most requested video on MTV. The second single, "Rock of Ages", also became a No. 1 hit on the US Rock Tracks chart.

Pyromania sold millions of copies and was a major success. It helped kick off the pop-metal music style of the 1980s. By 2004, Pyromania had sold over 10 million copies in the US.

Rick Allen's Comeback (1984–1989)

In February 1984, the band moved to Dublin to start writing their next album. On December 31, 1984, drummer Rick Allen was in a car accident and lost his left arm.

After losing his left arm in a car accident, drummer Rick Allen (pictured in 2018) used his feet to play a custom electronic drum kit.

Despite this, Rick Allen was determined to keep playing drums. He learned to use his legs for some of the drumming work and worked with Simmons to create a special electronic drum kit. The other band members fully supported him. Allen's return was celebrated at the 1986 Monsters of Rock festival in England, where he received a huge cheer from the crowd.

After more than three years of recording, Def Leppard's fourth album, Hysteria, was released on August 3, 1987. "Animal" became the band's first Top 10 hit in the UK. Hysteria topped the UK Album Charts and spent 105 weeks on the chart.

Initial sales in the US were slow until the release of the fourth single, "Pour Some Sugar on Me". This song became a massive hit, reaching No. 2 on the Hot 100. Hysteria then reached the top of the US Billboard 200 in July 1988. "Pour Some Sugar On Me" is now considered one of the band's most famous songs. Hysteria also topped the charts in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

In October 1988, the song "Love Bites" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. By early 1989, "Armageddon It" and "Rocket" were also big hits. Hysteria is one of the few albums to have seven or more singles chart on the US Hot 100. It has sold over 25 million copies worldwide. The band's Hysteria tour was also very popular, with the band performing "in the round."

At the 1989 American Music Awards, Def Leppard won Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist and Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Album for Hysteria.

Adrenalize, Retro Active, and Slang (1990–1996)

After Hysteria, the band quickly started working on their fifth album. Steve Clark passed away on January 8, 1991. The remaining band members decided to continue as a four-piece for the album.

Def Leppard's fifth album, Adrenalize, was released on March 31, 1992. It immediately went to number one on both the UK and US album charts. The first single, "Let's Get Rocked", was a huge hit and remains one of their highest-charting songs in many countries. Other singles like "Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad" and "Heaven Is" were also successful.

Guitarist Vivian Campbell in 2003. He joined Def Leppard in 1992.

In 1992, Vivian Campbell joined the band as the new guitarist. In April 1992, Def Leppard performed at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium in London. Another world tour followed. On June 6, 1993, Def Leppard played the first rock concert at the Don Valley Stadium in their hometown of Sheffield to over 50,000 fans.

A collection of B-sides and unreleased songs, Retro Active, was released in October 1993. It included the acoustic song "Two Steps Behind", which was a Top 5 hit in North America. Retro Active sold 3 million copies worldwide. In 1995, Def Leppard released their first greatest hits album, Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits (1980–1995). It featured a new song, "When Love & Hate Collide", which became their biggest hit in the UK, reaching No. 2.

On October 23, 1995, the band made it into the Guinness Book of World Records by performing three concerts on three different continents in one day. Slang, released in May 1996, had a different, more alternative rock sound. It reached No. 5 in the UK.

Later Albums and Tours (1997–Present)

VH1 helped bring the band back into the public eye in 1998 with an episode of Behind the Music. To build on this, Def Leppard returned to their classic sound with the 1999 album Euphoria. The first single, "Promises", became a No. 1 hit on the US Mainstream Rock Track charts.

Def Leppard performing in Wolverhampton in February 2003.

On September 5, 2000, Def Leppard was inducted into Hollywood's RockWalk. In 2001, VH1 made a movie about the band called Hysteria – The Def Leppard Story.

Def Leppard's eighth album, X, released in 2002, had more of a pop sound. In May 2005, a best-of collection called Rock of Ages—The Definitive Collection was released in North America. Def Leppard also performed at the Live 8 show in Philadelphia.

On May 23, 2006, Def Leppard released Yeah!, an album of cover songs. It paid tribute to classic rock songs from their childhood. The band toured with Journey to promote the album.

Songs from the Sparkle Lounge and More Tours (2008–2014)

On April 25, 2008, Def Leppard released Songs from the Sparkle Lounge, their first album of new songs in six years. It debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 in the US. The first single, "Nine Lives", featured country singer Tim McGraw.

Def Leppard performing in Sacramento in September 2009.

The band toured to support the album throughout 2008 and 2009. In October 2008, Def Leppard played with country star Taylor Swift in a TV show called CMT Crossroads: Taylor Swift and Def Leppard.

After a break from touring in 2010, the band released their first live album, Mirror Ball – Live & More, in 2011. It included three new studio songs. Def Leppard toured the US with Heart and later with Poison and Lita Ford.

Def Leppard performing an acoustic set in Rosemont, 2012

In 2013, Def Leppard had an 11-show residency in Las Vegas called Viva! Hysteria. They played their best-selling album, Hysteria, from start to finish. A live album, also called Viva! Hysteria, was released on October 22, 2013.

In 2014, Def Leppard and Kiss toured 42 cities together. The band also contributed songs to a Paul McCartney tribute album.

Recent Albums and Hall of Fame (2015–Present)

In 2015, the band announced tours in Canada, the US, Japan, Australia, the UK, and Ireland.

Their eleventh studio album, Def Leppard, was released on October 30, 2015. It debuted at number 10 in the US and number 11 in the UK. In January 2016, Joe Elliott became unwell during a concert cruise, and the band performed without him for the first time.

Def Leppard performing at a charity concert for the Teenage Cancer Trust held at the Royal Albert Hall in 2018.

In February 2017, the band released And There Will be a Next Time... Live from Detroit, a live album and concert video. In August 2017, they celebrated the 30th anniversary of Hysteria with a special collector's edition.

In January 2018, Def Leppard announced a large North American tour with Journey. This tour was very successful. The band's entire music collection also became available for streaming and digital download.

On November 30, 2018, the band released a new best-of album, The Story So Far – The Best Of. It included a new cover of the Depeche Mode song "Personal Jesus". They ended the year with a sold-out tour in the UK and Ireland.

On December 4, 2019, the band announced they would tour with Mötley Crüe, Poison, and Joan Jett on The Stadium Tour in 2020, which was later moved to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On March 15, 2022, Def Leppard announced their twelfth studio album, Diamond Star Halos. It was named after a lyric from a T. Rex song. The album was released on May 27, reaching Number 10 on the US Billboard 200. It was their highest-charting album since 1992's Adrenalize.

In March 2023, the band announced Drastic Symphonies, an album released on May 19. It features 16 of their songs reworked with a new orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, combined with the original vocals. The album reached number 4 on the UK album chart.

Band's Music Style and Influence

Joe Elliott is known for his distinctive raspy singing voice.

Def Leppard's music mixes hard rock, AOR (Album-Oriented Rock), pop, and heavy metal elements. They are known for their many layers of harmonic vocals and catchy guitar riffs. While they were part of the new wave of British heavy metal movement, the band felt their music was different from bands like Iron Maiden.

In the mid-1980s, they were linked to the growing glam metal scene because of their success and polished sound. However, Def Leppard didn't like the "glam metal" label, as they felt it didn't fit their look or music. By the time Hysteria was released, the band had a unique sound with electronic drums and special guitar effects, all layered with strong, harmonized vocals.

Joe Elliott says Def Leppard is influenced by "everything from pure pop to downright hardcore rock." He has mentioned Ian Hunter and Mott The Hoople as early influences. Def Leppard themselves have influenced many artists, including Taylor Swift.

Sheffield Legends plaque in their home city of Sheffield, England, installed in 2006.

With Pyromania and Hysteria both selling over 10 million copies in the US, Def Leppard is one of only five rock bands to achieve this with two original studio albums. The others are the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Van Halen. Both Pyromania and Hysteria are on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

In 2006, the band received a Sheffield Legends plaque in their hometown of Sheffield.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

On October 9, 2018, Def Leppard was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On December 13, 2018, Def Leppard was chosen for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Class of 2019. The band won the Fan Vote, getting the most public votes.

The current band members, along with former members Pete Willis and Steve Clark, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 29, 2019. Queen guitarist Brian May inducted them, calling them "a magnificent rock group."

Band Members

The guitarists Steve Clark and Phil Collen were known as the "Terror Twins" because of their close friendship.

Side Projects

Many Def Leppard members have worked on other music projects.

• Phil Collen played guitar on Sam Kinison's "Wild Thing" in 1988. He also produced and played on an album for the Australian band BB Steal.
• Joe Elliott sang on two songs for The Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood's 1992 solo album, Slide on This.
• Joe Elliott and Phil Collen formed a side project called Cybernauts with members of The Spiders From Mars. They played songs by David Bowie.
• Vivian Campbell has played with bands like Clock and the Riverdogs, and released a solo album. He also toured with Thin Lizzy.
• Phil Collen sings and plays guitar in a band called Man Raze with Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook.
• Joe Elliott leads the band Down 'n' Outz, which covers songs by Mott the Hoople.
• Vivian Campbell reunited with former Dio members to form Last in Line, playing Dio songs.
• Joe Elliott also joined a supergroup called Kings of Chaos, playing songs by bands like Deep Purple and Guns N' Roses.
• Phil Collen formed a blues project called Delta Deep.
• In 2020, Joe Elliott and Phil Collen played on a song for the Struts.

Awards and Nominations

Def Leppard won two awards at the 1989 American Music Awards for favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist and album for Hysteria.

Discography

Studio albums

• On Through the Night (1980)
• High 'n' Dry (1981)
• Pyromania (1983)
• Hysteria (1987)
• Adrenalize (1992)
• Slang (1996)
• Euphoria (1999)
• X (2002)
• Yeah! (2006)
• Songs from the Sparkle Lounge (2008)
• Def Leppard (2015)
• Diamond Star Halos (2022)

Images for kids

• 

  Joe Elliott (left) and Rick Savage (right) in 2014.

• 

  Joe Elliott (left) and Rick Savage (right) in 2014.

See also

In Spanish: Def Leppard para niños

• List of artists who reached number one in the United States
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart
• List of best-selling music artists
• List of glam metal bands and artists
• List of new wave of British heavy metal bands