Def Leppard

Def Leppard is a British band that features a mixture of hard rock, glam rock, AOR, and heavy metal elements. The band was formed in 1977 in Sheffield, England. Rick Savage (bassist), Pete Willis (guitarist) and Tony Kenning (drummer) formed the band originally known as "Atomic Mass." After enlisting Joe Elliot as their lead singer, they christened the band “Deaf Leopard” but then the name was simplified to avoid comparison to punk bands. In January 1978 a second guitarist, Steve Clark, joined the band. Kenning suddenly left the band prior to recording sessions for a three-song EP in late 1978. He was replaced for those sessions by Frank Noon on what was known as the Def Leppard EP. The track “Getcha Rocks Off” was able to get air play in the BBC Radio.

On March 14, 1980, Def Leppard released their debut album On Through The Night (now with Rick Allen as their permanent drummer). The album became an instant hit in the UK and received airplay in the US too. The band toured in Britain and America playing with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Sammy Hagar, and Judas Priest. In 1981, Def Leppard’s following record, High ‘n’ Dry, was released. It became the band’s first platinum record and the "Bringin' on the Heartbreak" promo clip became one of the first "metal" videos played on MTV in 1982. During the recording of their third album, Willis was fired due to alcoholism and was replaced by Phil Collen (former guitarist from Girl). Pyromania was released on May 20, 1983. The single “Photograph” became the most requested video (over Michael Jackson's Beat It) clip on MTV. The album has since been certified Diamond by the RIAA in the US, and is considered both a classic in both the mainstream rock and heavy metal genres.

December 31, 1984 was a fatal day for Def Leppard as drummer Rick Allen had a car accident and lost an arm, and even though it was reattached it had to be amputated again due to an infection. Allen insisted in being Def Leppard’s drummer, and just a few months after his accident he was already learning to play a custom electric-kit designed by Simmons. The group played their live shows using a support drummer (Jeff Rich of Status Quo). Def Leppard's fourth album, Hysteria, was finally released on August 3, 1987. One year later it reached to Number One on the US Album Charts and the power ballad "Love Bites" became Def Leppard's first (and only) Number One single on the Billboard Hot 100.

While working on their fifth album, another tragedy stroked Def Leppard as Steve Clark mixed prescription drugs and alcohol which led to his death on January 8, 1991. Def Leppard finished Adrenalize (1992) as a four member band. The first single, "Let's Get Rocked", was an instant smash hit. In April 1992, Whitesnake guitarist Vivian Campbell joined Def Leppard. In 1999 the band released their album titled Euphoria. Euphoria featured the singles “Promises” and “Demolition Man” and achieved gold status.