Def Leppard Biography

The Sheffield-based quintet Def Leppard was one of the best hard rock bands of the 80s. Starting out as a band of glam rock and metal in the 70s they are one of the few that captured the spirit of the times.

Early Formation

The band was originally formed by Rick Savage, a bassist, and Pete Willis a guitarist in 1977.  Vocalist Joe Elliott was added a few months later followed by guitarist  Steve Clark. Under their own label, they released the debut EP Getcha Rocks Off. While still in their teens the EP gained airplay time on the BBC.

Career Beginnings

The drummer Rick Allen joined Def Leppard and were signed to Mercury Records. Their debut album On Through the Night became a hit in 1980 in the UK and reached number 51 in the US. After a tour in those countries, the group released their first US platinum album High ‘n’ Dry in 1981. The American TV music channel MTV would be fundamental to the band’s success in the ’80s. The guitarist Pete Willis was replaced by Phil Collen.

Breakthrough, Setbacks, and Comeback

Thanks to MTV, their 1983 album Pyromania went to become one of the best-selling albums of the band, establishing their position as one of the most popular bands in the world. While working on a second album, the management they were under was not working for them. In addition, the drummer Allen lost his arm in a car accident. Allen was able to play nonetheless but they had to re-record the album yet again. Hysteria was finally released in 1987, panned by critics because of it pop undertones. In the charts however the album had six top 20 positions, for example, Pour Some Sugar on Me. The following years, Def Leppard was the it highschool metal band, with teenagers replicating their style.

Decrease in Popularity

The band took a break from the spotlight starting the 90s. However, while recording their next album, another tragedy occurred. Steve Clark died from an overdose of alcohol and drugs. Moving on, the quartet issued their album  Adrenalize in 1992. Although the LP debuted at number 1 and spawned some good singles the project was a commercial failure. Former Whitesnake guitarist Vivian Campbell joined the lineup during that time. The next year Def Leppard released Retro Active, followed by the 1996 Slang. Although the latter was adventurous, the record was received with indifference. Relentless, the group released Euphoria with a pop metal sound in 1999. The record spawned only one hit Promises and failed to have any other. They returned to ballads and pop with the 2002 X.

Perseverance

Although the band lost the popularity from the past, they continued to make music and be present. After two albums of compilation albums, they released the 9th album in 2008 called Songs from the Sparkle Lounge. The LP debuted at number 5 and was supported by a summer tour. The following years were made out of a three-disc live album with a full concert named Mirror Ball: Live & More. Two years later another live album was revealed in 2013 as Viva! Hysteria. The disc contained rare material from their heyday in the 80s. In 2015 they released their self-titled album.

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