It all began in 1977. Joe Elliot was walking home from his job as a storekeeper; he had missed his bus. Along the way, he met Pete Willis. He was now the lead singer for the band Atomic Mass, which included members Rick Savage and Tony Kenning. Joe had a vision of a band called Deaf Leopard. The name was altered and Def Leppard was born. The band began rehearsals in a spoon factory in Sheffield. Their first performance was on Christmas Day, 1977, for about six friends. It included thier first orignal composition, "Misty Dreamer." In early 1978, Steve Clark joined the band. Later that year the band recorded a 3 track EP with drummer Frank Moon. (Tony Kenning had been replaced for lack of enthusasim.) The EP titled "The Def Leppard EP" was finaced through Joe's father at a cost of $1160 US. About the same time, a young drummer, Rick Allen, awnsered an add, "Leppard Loses Skins." He was just 15 yrs old, but had been playing in Sheffield bands since the age of 10. Iniatally releasing 1000 coppies of the EP, the band was noticed by the retailer Peter Martin and Promoter Stuart Brown. They began to manage the band. The band became top priority and members quite thier dayjobs and Rick Allen leaves school.
The band begins to work on their first full-legnth album which takes 18 days to complete under the production of Tom Allom. (I double checked this, couldn't believe it myself:O) On Through the Night is released in March 1980. They began to tour with bands such as Sammy Hagar and AC/DC. The Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, Ca is the first US show, they are opening for Pat Travers. They also tour with Judas Priest, Ted Nugent, and the Scorpions. Circus Magazine votes Def Leppard the Best New Artist of 1980 as On through the Night reaches #51 in the US charts. Def Leppard is accused selling out and forced off stage due to beer bottles and trash being thrown at the Reading Rock Festival tour in Reading, Berkshire. The band returns to the US.
In 1981, the "sixth Leppard" "Mutt" Lange produces the bands second album "High N' Dry". The record is completed in early June. They hit the road immediatly opening for Rainbow in Germany. By Aug. the album reaches #38 and the band is now opening for Ozzy Ozborn. MTV releases the video for "Bringing on the Heartbrake" as High N' Dry reaches #26 on the charts. The band now begins co-headlining shows with Blackfoot. In Jan. 1992, Mutt Lange returns for the third album. During recording, Pete Willis departs due to an alcohol problem. Phil Collen, a former Girl member, joins and recording is back on track. In Feb 1983, Pyromania enters the charts, spending an amazing 92 weeks in the top 200. It was the first heavy metal band to maintain prolong exposure. Unfortanally, the album did not have the same staying power in the UK. They toured with Billy Squire for a short time untill his tour ended. By this time Pyromania had reached the top 10 and the band became headliners. Photograph was the most requested video, beating out "Beat It" by Micheal Jackson. Ironically Thriller had keep Pryomania from reaching the top spot. The band continued to tour, selling out shows. In 1984 the band broke new ground playing in Japan, Australia and Thailand. Seven million coppies of Pyromaia were sold in the US, but the success was not worldwide.
In 1984, after an 8 month break, recording continues. Mutt Lange has just fininshed "Hearbeat City" with the Cars and is unable to produce the fourth album due to exhaustion. Jim Stienman is brought in, but the opinions differ and the band scrapes all material and starts over with Nigel Green, engineer from High N' Dry. Mutt Lange eventually produces the album. At this time, ex-managers Martin and Brown realease First Strike, a collection of demos. The album is Pulled from shelves after legal action.
On Dec 31, 1984 Rick Allen loses his left arm in a car accident. The band continues recording using electronic drums while Rick recovers. By Feb. Rick rejoins the band, begining practices on electronic drums. In 1986, the band takes a break and signs for eight shows on the Monsters of Rock tour. Jeff Rich of Status Quo is brough in to do back up drums for Rick. His first performance since the accident on Aug 5th. On the 12th, Rich is delayed and Rick is own his own. He pulls through the night and Rich is let go, he agrees he is no longer needed. One week later at the Monsters of Rock tour Rick Allen earns the title "Thunder God" after a long standing ovation. BY mid Jan 1987, the fourth album Hysteria is released. It debuts #1 in UK and they finally recieve the reconigtion at home. With this album the US has a slow response, partilly due to the time span between albums. Not untill March 88 when Pour some Sugar on Me is released will a single reach top 10. It is by the way, the most requested video of all time for MTV. After 49 weeks Hysteria reaches the top of the charts. The band continues to tour for a long 225-date tour.
The fifth album, Adrenalize, is recorded. Steve Clark continues to battle acoholism and spends time in a psychiatric hospital after being found in comatose after a drinking beinge. His drinking continues and he is given a six mmonth leave of absence which he will never return from. Steve Clark is found dead on Jan 8, 1991 due to a combination of acohol and anti-depressants mixed with pain pills for broken ribs due to a fall. The band finishes the album in his memory with Phil doing all guitar work. The band intoduces Vivian Campbell at the Fredie Murcury Tribute Concert. The band continues to release albums Retroactive, and Vault. They try a new sound in the seventh album Slang, which is in my opion one of there best albuums. The album recieves little promotion and not as successfull as most of thier previous work. The release Euphoria was one of their best. With strong songs such as Paper Son, Promises, Goodbye, and Guilty, the band has show they still have what it takes.
Since Slang, albums Euphoria and X have been released. Def Leppard has also released a new Vault and Rock of Ages, two greatest hits collections. The next album is due out soon, it will be a collection of cover songs titled Yeah. This is history being made...
. The Leps recieved a Diamond Award in March 99 for Hysteria. AND THE BEST IS YET TO COME..... :) And it has.... Like they sang in the begining, I'll get you yet, in rock and roll there is no safety net.. :)
