Def Leppard

Def Leppard: From Sheffield Steel to Stadium Rock

Def Leppard, hailing from the industrial heartland of Sheffield, England, burst onto the scene in 1976, becoming a cornerstone of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Their journey, however, took them far beyond the headbanging hordes of the early 80s, culminating in a career marked by massive commercial success and stadium-filling anthems.

The band's core lineup since 1992 consists of the rhythm section powerhouse of Rick Savage (bass, backing vocals) and Rick Allen (drums), fronted by the charismatic Joe Elliott (lead vocals), and flanked by the twin guitar attack of Phil Collen (guitar, backing vocals) and Vivian Campbell (guitar, backing vocals).

Their debut album, "On Through the Night" (1980), while reaching the UK Top 15, failed to make a significant impact elsewhere. It wasn't until their second album, "High 'n' Dry" (1981), produced by the legendary Mutt Lange, that Def Leppard truly found their sonic signature. Lange's influence helped shape their melodic hard rock sound, giving birth to the iconic "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" - one of the first rock videos to grace MTV in 1982.

The arrival of Phil Collen in 1982 solidified the lineup that would propel them to global stardom. Their third album, "Pyromania" (1983), exploded onto the scene, fuelled by the twin power of "Photograph" and "Rock of Ages." These tracks dominated the US Rock Tracks chart and cracked the Top 20 on the Hot 100. "Pyromania" itself achieved Diamond status in the US, reaching No. 2 on the album chart. It also hit the UK Top 20, though its impact elsewhere remained limited.

Def Leppard's story is one of perseverance, evolution, and undeniable talent. They carved a path from the underground heavy metal scene to the forefront of stadium rock, leaving an indelible mark on the history of rock music.