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Def Leppard

May 15, 2014 by strictlyrock Leave a Comment

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When “Deaf Leopard” started out on the road to stardom in 1977 in Sheffield, England, its lineup consisted of singer Joe Elliott, bassist Rick Savage, guitarist Pete Willis and drummer Tony Kenning. The band soon changed their name to “Def Leppard,” and was joined by guitarist Steve Clark in 1978. They performed locally, and after replacing Tony Kenning with drummer Frank Noon, recorded “The Def Leppard EP.” Rick Allen soon became their full time drummer and after their EP received radio airplay, the group was signed to Phonogram Records (Mercury in the United States). The band built up their fan base and were soon opening for the legendary Aussie rock band AC/DC. They released their debut album “On Through the Night,” on March 14th, 1980. The album peaked at #51 on the US charts, but would ultimately sell more than 1 million copies, thanks in part to US touring. Def Leppard may have won the hearts of millions in the United States, but back home fans weren’t as easily impressed.

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In August of 1980 the band received a less than warm welcome while playing the Reading Festival in England. Fans pelted the group with beer bottles and cans, upset that they had “sold out.” The next year the band released their second album, “High ‘N’ Dry.” The album included the single “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak.” The song peaked at #61 on the charts, but thanks in no small part to MTV constantly playing the music video, it remains one of their most recognizable hits. In 1982 Phil Collen replaced original member Pete Willis and by the next year the band was poised to hit another one out of the park with the album “Pyromania.” The record produced the single “Photograph,” which helped “Pyromania” sell more than 10 million copies in the United States alone. Having more than proved themselves, the band headlined their first US tour. Despite the band’s skyrocketing success, 1984 would not end well for drummer Rick Allen.

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On New Year’s Eve 1984, Rick Allen was involved in a car accident. After being ejected from the vehicle while it rolled, Allen’s left arm was cut off. Not only did Allen survive the potentially life threatening injury, but with the help of an electric drum kit, Allen made what has to be one of music’s biggest comebacks, able to shake off his disability and continue playing with the band. Never missing a beat, the band got right back on it, playing the “Monsters of Rock” tour alongside bands like The Scorpions and Ozzy Osbourne, and finally got the respect they deserved from English fans. The next year Def Leppard continued what had now become a tradition of producing tremendously popular albums, with equally impressive sales figures.

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The 1987 record, “Hysteria,” was an absolute blockbuster. The album claimed the #1 spot on the charts with the help of 7 singles which included the songs “Women,” “Animal,” the title track “Hysteria,” and what could arguably be called the anthem of the ‘80’s, “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” “Hysteria,” lived up to its name, and ensured that the boys would not be going hungry any time soon, selling a staggering 12 million albums in the United States alone. By the time they had completed the tour that supported the album in 1988, the band had played a whopping 227 shows. Unfortunately the band’s 1989 performance at the MTV VMA’s (Video Music Awards) would be the last to include guitarist Steve Clark. Two years later, on January 8th 1991, Clark overdosed on a mix of alcohol and prescription painkillers he had been using to manage the discomfort of 3 broken ribs.

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With the addition of Vivian Campbell to the group’s lineup, the band released the album “Adrenalize,” in 1992. The record debuted at #1 and once again sold millions of copies worldwide. In 1993 the band contributed the song “Two Steps Behind,” to the motion picture “Last Action Hero,” starring the future governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Since the song was actually considered a “B-side,” the band decided to release the album “Retro Active.” The album was comprised of b-side remixes that had been originally recorded with the late Steve Clark. “Retro Active,” was eventually certified Platinum in both the US and Canada. Def Leppard may have been known for their extensive touring capabilities, but in 1995 they all but outdid themselves. The band was able to pull off playing on 3 continents in just one day, starting in Morocco, then London and ending in Vancouver, Canada. The band released the albums “Slang,” in 1996, “Euphoria,” in 1999, and “solidified” their place among the greats, imprinting their hands in cement and being inducted into the Hollywood Rock Walk of Fame in 2000. The band has also released “X,” in 2002, “Yeah!,” in 2006, and “Songs from the Sparkle Lounge,” in 2008 along with other compilation and live albums over the years. Currently the band is still touring and shows no signs of letting up anytime soon.

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100 Greatest Rock & Roll Bands

  1. The Beatles
  2. The Rolling Stones
  3. Led Zeppelin
  4. Jimi Hendrix
  5. Elvis Presley
  6. The Who
  7. U2
  8. Pink Floyd
  9. The Doors
  10. The Police
  11. Elton John
  12. Metallica
  13. AC/DC
  14. Van Halen
  15. Nirvana
  16. Guns N' Roses
  17. Santana
  18. The Allman Brothers Band
  19. Bon Jovi
  20. David Bowie
  21. Grateful Dead
  22. Rush
  23. Yes
  24. Black Sabbath
  25. Bob Dylan
  26. James Brown
  27. The Beach Boys
  28. Eric Clapton
  29. Fleetwood Mac
  30. The Eagles
  31. Bob Marley
  32. Van Morrison
  33. Bruce Springsteen
  34. The Clash
  35. Queen
  36. Janis Joplin
  37. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
  38. R.E.M.
  39. The Kinks
  40. Steely Dan
  41. Steve Miller Band
  42. Jethro Tull
  43. Tool
  44. The Scorpions
  45. Coldplay
  46. Stone Temple Pilots
  47. Rod Stewart
  48. Marilyn Manson
  49. Creedence Clearwater Revival
  50. KISS
  51. The Pretenders
  52. Green Day
  53. Aerosmith
  54. Tina Turner
  55. Pearl Jam
  56. Ted Nugent
  57. Pantera
  58. Motörhead
  59. Judas Priest
  60. ZZ Top
  61. Megadeth
  62. Motley Crue
  63. Alice Cooper
  64. Def Leppard
  65. Iron Maiden
  66. Billy Idol
  67. Journey
  68. Anthrax
  69. Rage Against the Machine
  70. Blue Oyster Cult
  71. Alice in Chains
  72. Genesis
  73. Red Hot Chili Peppers
  74. Chuck Berry
  75. Buddy Holly
  76. Little Richard
  77. Elvis Costello
  78. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
  79. Sex Pistols
  80. Cream
  81. Frank Zappa
  82. Talking Heads
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  84. Billy Joel
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  90. Foo Fighters
  91. The Cure
  92. Soundgarden
  93. Iggy Pop
  94. Peter Gabriel
  95. The Byrds
  96. Traffic
  97. Deep Purple
  98. Blondie
  99. Velvet Underground
  100. Heart

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