Feature Photo: Kevin Nixon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Def Leppard’s journey to becoming one of the most influential rock bands of all time began in Sheffield, England, in 1977, amidst the city’s industrial backdrop. The band was formed by Joe Elliott, who envisioned a group that combined hard rock’s energy with a melodic sensibility. He joined forces with Rick Savage (bass), Tony Kenning (drums), and Pete Willis (guitar), with their first rehearsals taking place in a local spoon factory. Early in their career, the addition of guitarist Steve Clark elevated the group’s sound, cementing a lineup that would go on to define 1980s rock.
The band released their debut album, On Through the Night, in 1980, which hinted at their potential but leaned heavily into the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene. It was with their second album, High ’n’ Dry (1981), produced by Robert John “Mutt” Lange, that Def Leppard began to refine their sound. The single “Bringin’ On the Heartbreak” became one of the first metal songs to gain traction on MTV, paving the way for their U.S. success.
Their third album, Pyromania (1983), catapulted Def Leppard into superstardom. With hits like “Photograph” and “Rock of Ages,” the album sold over 10 million copies in the U.S. alone. During its production, Pete Willis was replaced by Phil Collen due to personal issues, a change that brought a fresh dynamic to the band. By this time, Def Leppard had begun to craft a unique style, blending hard rock riffs with polished, radio-friendly production.
Tragedy struck in 1984 when drummer Rick Allen lost his arm in a car accident. However, Allen’s resilience and the band’s support led to his adaptation of a custom electronic drum kit, allowing him to continue performing. This spirit of determination culminated in their 1987 masterpiece, Hysteria, an album that produced seven chart-topping singles, including “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” “Love Bites,” and “Animal.” Hysteria sold over 25 million copies worldwide and remains one of the best-selling rock albums in history.
The 1990s brought new challenges, including the tragic death of guitarist Steve Clark in 1991. Vivian Campbell joined the band in 1992, and Def Leppard pressed on, releasing Adrenalize (1992), which debuted at number one in the U.S. and the UK. They followed this success with Retro Active (1993) and Slang (1996), showcasing their willingness to experiment while staying true to their roots.
Over the decades, Def Leppard has released 12 studio albums, selling over 100 million records worldwide. Their numerous accolades include two American Music Awards and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019, a testament to their enduring impact on the music industry. Songs like “Foolin’,” “Rocket,” and “Let’s Get Rocked” have remained staples of rock radio, demonstrating their timeless appeal.
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“10 X Bigger Than Love” – Long, Long Way to Go (2003)
“10538 Overture” – Yeah! (2006)
“20th Century Boy” – Yeah! (2006)
“21st Century Sha La La La Girl” – Euphoria (1999)
“Action! Not Words” – Pyromania (1983)
“Action” – Make Love Like a Man / Retro Active (1992 / 1993)
“All I Want is Everything” – Slang (1996)
“All Night” – Euphoria (1999)
“All on Your Touch” – Slang (deluxe edition) (2014)
“All Time High” – Def Leppard (2015)
“All We Need” – Diamond Star Halos (2022)
“American Girl” – Yeah! (Walmart bonus EP) (2006)
“Angels (Can’t Help You Now)” – Diamond Star Halos (2022)
“Animal” – Hysteria (1987)
“Another Hit and Run” – High ‘n’ Dry (1981)
“Answer to the Master” – On Through the Night (1980)
“Armageddon It” – Hysteria (1987)
“Back in Your Face” – Euphoria (1999)
“Bad Actress” – Songs from the Sparkle Lounge (2008)
“Battle of My Own” – Def Leppard (2015)
“Billy’s Got a Gun” – Pyromania (1983)
“Blind Faith” – Def Leppard (2015)
“Blood Runs Cold” – Slang (1996)
“Breathe a Sigh” – Slang (1996)
“Bringin’ On the Heartbreak” – High ‘n’ Dry (1981)
“Broke ‘N’ Brokenhearted” – Def Leppard (2015)
“Burnout” – Goodbye (1999)
“‘Cause We Ended as Lovers” – All I Want Is Everything (1996)
“C’mon C’mon” – Songs from the Sparkle Lounge (2008)
“Can’t Keep Away From the Flame” – When Love & Hate Collide (1995)
“Come Undone” – Songs from the Sparkle Lounge (2008)
“Comin’ Under Fire” – Pyromania (1983)
“Cruise Control” – Songs from the Sparkle Lounge (2008)
“Cry” – X (2002)
“Dangerous” – Def Leppard (2015)
“Day After Day” – Euphoria (1999)
“Dear Friends” – Yeah! (Walmart bonus EP) (2006)
“Deliver Me” – Slang (1996)
“Demolition Man” – Euphoria (1999)
“Desert Song” – Retro Active (1993)
“Die Hard the Hunter” – Pyromania (1983)
“Disintegrate” – Euphoria (1999)
“Don’t Believe a Word” – Yeah! (2006)
“Don’t Shoot Shotgun” – Hysteria (1987)
“Drive-In Saturday” – Yeah! (2006)
Check out our fantastic and entertaining Def Leppard articles, detailing in-depth the band’s albums, songs, band members, and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com
Top 10 Def Leppard Songs
Complete List Of Def Leppard Albums And Discography
Top 10 Def Leppard Album Covers
Def Leppard Page
Def Leppard Is Back With New Single, Album, And Stadium Tour
Def Leppard’s High ‘n’ Dry Album 40 Years Later
Don’t Miss Taylor Swift’s And Def Leppard’s Great Duet Performance
New Def Leppard album
Read More: Artists’ Interviews Directory At ClassicRockHistory.com
Read More: Classic Rock Bands List And Directory
Complete List Of Def Leppard Songs From A to Z article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024
About The Author
Brian Kachejian
Brian Kachejian was born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx. He is the founder and Editor in Chief of ClassicRockHistory.com. He has spent thirty years in the music business often working with many of the people who have appeared on this site. Brian Kachejian also holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from Stony Brook University along with New York State Public School Education Certifications in Music and Social Studies. Brian Kachejian is also an active member of the New York Press.
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