Band
With more than 110 million albums sold worldwide and two prestigious Diamond Awards in the U.S., 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame® inductees Def Leppard - Joe Elliott (vocals), Phil Collen (guitar), Rick Savage (bass), Vivian Campbell (guitar) and Rick Allen (drums) — continue to be one of the most important forces in rock music. Over the course of their career the band has produced a series of classic ground-breaking albums that set the bar for generations of music fans and artists alike. The group’s spectacular live shows and arsenal of hits have become synonymous with their name, leading Def Leppard to be heralded as the world’s greatest live rock band. Def Leppard’s influential career includes numerous hit singles and ground-breaking multi-platinum albums—including two of the best-selling albums of all time, Pyromania and Hysteria, capturing the group’s legendary tracks, bringing together classic Leppard hits such as “Rock of Ages,” “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Foolin.” For the first time, in January 2018 Def Leppard debuted their full recording catalog worldwide via streaming and download platforms. As they did with the original release of their records, Def Leppard dominated the worldwide charts again, which found their albums charting in the iTunes Top 10 in more than 30 countries, including Hysteria at #3 in the US, and #5 in the UK. Def Leppard also had the #1, #2 and #3 records on the US catalog albums chart. The band have gone on to amass a staggering 6 billion streams since 2018, reaching a younger 18-44 demographic that now represents 58% of their fanbase. Additionally, the band have garnered an impressive 15 million followers across their social media platforms. In May 2022, Def Leppard released their twelfth studio album Diamond Star Halos. The album debuted at #1 on the Apple and Amazon Music charts. The album also scored a Top 10 debut on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart, marking the band’s eighth Top 10 album of their career, and also making them one of just three groups with a newly charting top 10 title on the Billboard 200 albums chart in each decade since the ‘80s. Diamond Star Halos additionally garnered a #1 debut on Billboard’s Hard Rock chart. Following the close of their historic 2018 co-headline stadium and arena run in North America, Def Leppard sold a staggering number of tickets, a massive feat in today’s touring world. Def Leppard & Mötley Crüe topped that number yet again with another sold out North American stadium run in 2022. As always, the group keep pushing the boundaries with their electrifying live shows.
1977 - 1985
1977
In November, the first Def Leppard rehearsal takes place in a spoon factory near Bramall Lane, Sheffield (UK). Lead singer Joe Elliot, bass player Rick “Sav” Savage, guitarist Pete Willis, and drummer Tony Kenning just renamed the band from Deaf Leopard (a name first coined by Joe Elliott at school in 1975) to Def Leppard. At Christmas, the band perform their first gig for six friends. Six songs are played, including covers by David Bowie, Thin Lizzy and their own original “MISTY DREAMER”.
1978
On July 18, 1978, Def Leppard play their first public gig at Westfield School in Sheffield. They are paid 5 Pounds (out of a teacher’s pocket). “The 50 minute set list was all originals until we encored with Thin Lizzy’s “Jailbreak”! We were paid approx. £5 from a teacher and we also smuggled beer in via the bass drum case to calm our nerves.. Steve’s amp was also on “standby” when we first went on so when he threw the big opening Pete Townsend windmill at the top off the set, nothing came out !!! …. whoops !!! …” – Joe. According to a source we were told years later that the gig was supposed to be in the youth club but it was moved to one of the halls at Westfield due to the numbers of kids who turned up.
In November, drummer Tony Kenning is fired from the band and replaced by Frank Noon for the band’s first recording, “THE DEF LEPPARD EP”, which costs 600 Pounds Sterling (approximately 900 US Dollars) for recording, sleeves and pressing on their own Bludgeon Riffola label.
On November 28, drummer Rick Allen joins the band full time.
1979
The live reputation climbs, John Peel’s show on BBC Radio 1 gives the EP the first radio airplay and a recording deal is signed with Phonogram (UK) and Mercury (US) on 5 August and are set to open for Sammy Hagar on UK tour dates. All band members give up their day jobs and Rick Allen drops out of school.
In September, the band open for Sammy Hagar and play London’s rock mecca, The Hammersmith Odeon, for the first time.
In October and November, Def Leppard supports AC/DC in the UK. During that time, the first single “Wasted”, produced by Nick Tauber, is released. Rick Allen celebrates his 16th (!) birthday at the Hammersmith.
1980
On March 14, the debut LP ON THROUGH THE NIGHT, produced by Tom Allom, is released. Around the same time, the single “Hello America” sees the light of day.
On April 1, the band sign with Leber-Krebs management company. They are looked after by the American duo Peter Mensch and Cliff Burnstein (later to form their own company, Q-Prime).
In May, the band arrive for debut U.S. tours to open for, respectively, Pat Travers, Judas Priest, Ted Nugent and AC/DC.
In August, Def Leppard return to the UK to play at the Reading Festival. The crowd, convinced that the band have sold out to the Yankee Dollar and turned their backs on their home country, greet them with a rain of bottles and beer cans.
1981
Recordings for the second album start in March, their first with producer and soon-to-be unofficial sixth Lep, Robert John “Mutt” Lange. HIGH ‘N’ DRY is released in July and a European tour follows, supporting Rainbow. In the US, the band support Ozzy Osbourne and Blackfoot.
In November, the new US cable channel MTV discovers the video for “Bringin’ On The Heartbreak” and plays it with heavy rotation; HIGH ‘N’ DRY is shot back up the charts.
1982
In January, recordings for the third album start, again with Robert John “Mutt” Lange. In July, Pete Willis leaves the band and is replaced by Phil Collen, formerly of the bands LUCY and GIRL.
1983
In January, the PYROMANIA album and “Photograph” single are released to massive acclaim and sales. In the U.S., the LP sells 100,000 a week for most of the year and ends up selling over seven million copies in that country alone. Success in the rest of the world eludes them at this stage.
In February and March they complete a UK headline tour and in the spring, the band support Billy Squier on tour in the US.
In April, the first US headline tour is started.
1984
The PYROMANIA world tour ends on February 7 in Bangkok and the band relocate to Dublin, Ireland.
Work on album number 4 starts in the spring, when each Lep, armed with a drum machine individually start working on song ideas.
In August, recordings commenced at Wisseloord Studios, Hilversum (Holland) with producer Jim Steinman (of Meat Loaf’s BAT OUT OF HELL fame). “Mutt” Lange passed on working with Def Leppard on this LP because he was exhausted after producing The Cars HEARTBEAT CITY. Steinman proves incompatible with the band’s style and their collaboration ends, with eight backing tracks scrapped. By “Mutt” Lange’s suggestion, he is replaced by Nigel Green, who had engineered the band’s HIGH N’ DRY album.
On New Year’s Eve, just outside Sheffield, Rick Allen’s car overturns high speed and he is thrown clear. His left arm is severed. Microsurgery fails to reconnect the limb.
Adapting a Simmons electronic kit, Rick learns to drum one-armed. Meanwhile, the rest of the band keep recording with Nigel Green. In the summer, “Mutt” Lange takes over as a producer and advises the band to re-record almost everything.
1986 - 1995
1986
To break cabin-fever of recording, the band plan to eight shows at the European Monsters Of Rock tour during the summer. As insurance, they bring Status Quo’s Jeff Rich to supplement Rick Allen’s drums. During the warm-up mini tour of Ireland, when Rich accidentally misses a gig, the rest of the band realize that Rick can drum alone.
On August 16, they perform at Castle Donington, the first Monsters Of Rock show. In stark contrast to their Reading debacle, the show is a triumph and the crowd take them to their hearts. The final Monsters Of Rock show, taking place August 31 in Mannheim, Germany, is marked by a torrential downpour that lasts exactly the duration of Def Leppard’s set.
1987
In January, the recordings of the fourth album are finished.
In February, another album’s worth of tracks are recorded – mostly live in the studio, to be used for B-sides. After kicking off the world tour in the UK on August, HYSTERIA is released. Seven out of the twelve tracks are released as singles: “Women”, “Animal”, “Pour Some Sugar On Me”, “Love Bites”, “Armageddon It”, “Hysteria” and “Rocket”. The album goes on to sell 16 million copies (including 12 million in the US alone). At last the band are stars in their home country. During their U.S. tours, the band play “in the round” on a stage located in the center of arenas.
1988
In October, after 227 shows supporting the HYSTERIA album, work begins on the fifth album.
1989
Recordings of album #5 proceed at Wisseloord Studios and Studio 150 in Amsterdam (Holland), before the band relocate to Dublin. The band also play “Tear It Down” live at the MTV Video Music Awards, Steve Clark’s last show with the band.
1990
A year passes while the band keeps working on their album.
1991
On January 8, guitarist Steve Clark dies after mixing alcohol with painkillers prescribed to him after he broke three ribs earlier that year.
Def Leppard continue recording their album as a four piece. For the first time in four albums, “Mutt” Lange does not man the controls: he rather serves as executive producer. Long-time mixer/engineer Mike Shipley sits in as co-producer along with the band.
1992
The newest incarnation of Def Leppard is revealed to the world in April at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley stadium. Vivian Campbell, already well known and respected for his work with Dio and Whitesnake, joins the band and ADRENALIZE is released. The band embark on a rare set of European club dates to work on their live show. The album enters the U.S. charts at #1 and remains there for five weeks, selling six million copies. In Japan, Mexico and many other countries, it will become Def Leppard’s biggest-selling album to date.
In June, the SEVEN DAY WEEKEND tour begins. Before it ends, some eighteen months later, Def Leppard will have played 241 shows, by far their most ambitious tour ever and the first time they have played “in the round” in the UK.
1993
The producers of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s new film LAST ACTION HERO approach the band in March about contributing a song for the end credits. The band, still on tour to support their latest album, cannot make time to record a new song. Rather, they send a B-side called “Two Steps Behind”, which had previously been released only in the UK.
On June 6, almost 15 years after their first gig, they are the first-ever band to play the newly opened Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield: a triumphant return to their home town to a sell out crowd of 40,000.
In July, “Two Steps Behind” is released, becoming a hit in the U.S. as well as the rest of the world. A string section recorded by Michael Kamen is added and the song is mixed, released, and racing up the charts within 6 weeks. This inspires the band to remix the rest of their rarities and B-sides, in an attempt to put out all the remaining songs from the Steve Clark era and begin a new phase in the history of Def Leppard.
In August, RETRO ACTIVE is released, goes platinum in the US and sells over two million copies worldwide.
In September, the last gig of the ADRENALIZE tour takes place. The band take a six month break, to write and work on new songs on their own, before entering a studio to begin work on their seventh album.
1994
Def Leppard head to a house overlooking Marbella, Spain, to record their next album. Pete Woodroffe, who co-produced “RETRO ACTIVE”, is tapped to co-produce the disc as well.
1995
With the new album near completion, the band are approached by Mercury Records to release a Greatest Hits compilation, highlighting the first chapter of Def Leppard’s career. VAULT, is released in October, a collection of sixteen tracks (with different tracklistings, varying on the country of release), drawing one song from 1982’s HIGH ‘N’ DRY, two from 1983’s PYROMANIA, six from 1987’s enormously popular HYSTERIA, four from 1992’s ADRENALIZE and two from 1993’s RETRO ACTIVE. In addition, there is a new song, “When Love and Hate Collide”, which becomes Def Leppard’s biggest hit in the UK ever peaking at number two in the charts. VAULT goes on to sell 4 million copies.
In October, Sheffield pays tribute to their biggest export – plaques go up at the Crookes Working Man’s Club and the Don Valley Stadium. The band give the first exhibit to the National Centre For Popular Music and then go to tea with the Mayor. The day’s finale is an acoustic gig 300-capacity Wapentake Pub where the band had played one of their very first shows back in 1978.
On October 23, Def Leppard go for the big one and play 3 continents in one day -a feat for which they receive a mention in the Guinness Book Of Records. Starting at midnight in a cave in Tangiers, Morocco, they play an acoustic set. They then fly to London, England to play at midday. Finally, they end up in Vancouver, Canada for yet another show at 9.30 PM….. 5,845 miles in a day!
1996 - 2005
1996
In January, the band keep working on their next album and move from Marbella, Spain to Bow Lane Studios in Dublin, Ireland.
In April, the first singles of the new album are released: “Slang” in the UK and “Work It Out” in the US.
On May 13, the album SLANG is released, followed by a world tour that starts May 28 in Bangkok.
During the following months, the band toured Southeast Asia and the U.S., before the European leg starts in October.
In December, the band toured South Africa for the very first time, culminating in a sell-out show to 47,000 exuberant fans at the Johannesburg Stadium.
1997
April sees the band complete their world tour with dates in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama, Columbia, Equador, Argentina, Brazil and Puerto Rico.
1998
In April, the band get together in Dublin to start writing and recording their ninth album. The album is recorded in Dublin at Joe’s home studio – Joe’s Garage, where ADRENALIZE was recorded, along with some parts of RETRO ACTIVE and SLANG.
VH1 starts broadcasting the Def Leppard episode of their BEHIND THE MUSIC documentary series, the first in a row of Def Leppard-related shows the station will be showing in the future (“STORYTELLERS”, HYSTERIA: THE DEF LEPPARD STORY and ULTIMATE ALBUMS would follow).
1999
On March 16, Def Leppard are one of the inaugural recipients of the newly launched Diamond Awards in the USA. The award are for over 10 million sales in the US of one album (HYSTERIA has now sold 12 million in the US – over 16 million worldwide) in the history of recorded music. Only 61 albums and 45 artists have achieved this level of success. Even more astoundingly, only eight of them were British artists. Def Leppard are in the fine company of The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Elton John, George Michael, Eric Clapton and the Bee Gees.
On May 24, the first single off the new album, “Promises” is released. Two weeks later, EUPHORIA hits stores and is followed by a tour in Japan, the U.S. and the U.K.
The band plays at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL on December 31 to celebrate the turn of the century during the second leg of the EUPHORIA-tour.
2000
The EUPHORIA tour takes the band to the States and Canada, where they play another 78 shows. The 147-date tour comes to an end on September 30 in West Springfield, Massachusetts.
In September, the band gets inducted at the Hollywood “Rock Walk” Hall of Fame, where they receive a plaque and leave their hand prints in cement.
2001
Joe and Phil work on their CYBERNAUTS project, playing old David Bowie/Ziggy Stardust/Spiders From Mars songs, Vivian works with his other band CLOCK, Rick starts his own RAVEN DRUM FOUNDATION, and Sav enjoys life as a father. At the same time, work starts on the follow-up to EUPHORIA.
The four home videos are being re-released on DVD: HISTORIA and IN THE ROUND IN YOUR FACE on the first DVD, and VISUALIZE and VIDEO ARCHIVE on the second. Both releases are updated with interviews and the videos taken from the SLANG and EUPHORIA albums.
In July, VH1 (U.S.A.) broadcasts HYSTERIA: THE DEF LEPPARD STORY, a movie covering the band’s career until the start of the HYSTERIA tour, which is seen by millions of people and is rated tremendously high.
Throughout the year, the band travels between Dublin, Stockholm and California to write and record new material with Max Martin, Marti Frederiksen, Per Aldeheim and Andreas Carlsson.
2002
In June, “Now”, the first single from the band’s tenth album, is released. The album X (as in the Roman numeral for 10), is released in July.
Before the X tour officially starts, the band plays a number of shows in the UK, including one in Leeds, attended by Queen Elizabeth.
In September, the world tour officially kicks off.
2003
For the most part of 2003, the band is touring around the world. Apart from shows in the US, Canada, Japan and the UK, the X tour also takes the band to places they haven’t been to in a long time (such as Germany and Poland) or even never before (such as Latvia, Lithouania and Russia). After 151 shows, the X tour comes to an end in Moscow.
2004
Most of the year is spent on recording a new album, consisting of cover versions of the band’s favorite songs from their youth. By the end of the year, an updated version of the 1995 Greatest Hits release VAULT is released on CD and DVD: BEST OF DEF LEPPARD (North Americans will have to wait a little longer, as their release for this album will be available a couple of months later). The album contains one ‘new’ song; “WATERLOO SUNSET”, originally recorded by The Kinks, is a preview of an upcoming covers album the band has been working on.
2005
In May, the North American version of the updated Greatest Hits compilation is released: ROCK OF AGES – THE DEFINITE COLLECTION has new artwork, a slightly different tracklisting and, instead of “Wateroo Sunset”, another preview of the covers album: Def Leppard’s version of Badfinger’s “No Matter What”.
In June, a co-headline tour with Bryan Adams kicks off in the U.S.A. and on July 2, Def Leppard is part of the LIVE 8 festival in Philadelphia, where they play in front of 1,000,000 people.
November sees the North American release of the ROCK OF AGES DVD, and in support of that release there are three major performances on U.S. national TV; millions see the band play at Jimmy Kimmel Live and two big awards shows.
2006 - 2015
2006
The year starts quietly – but that’s only the calm before the storm. The band’s long-awaited covers album YEAH! is finally released in May, followed by a European festival tour in June which takes the band to Italy, Sweden, Germany, Holland, and the UK.
On June 23, the band’s North American co-headlining tour with Journey kicks off, the start of a summer full of rockin’ shows.
The year also sees the release of a Deluxe Edition of the band’s most successful album HYSTERIA, containing a remastered version of the original album, and a load of tracks that were originally released as B-sides to the many singles taken from the album in 1987-1989.
2007
Recordings of the band’s next album, started on the road the year before in their backstage studio called the “Sparkle Lounge”, are coming along well. In order to avoid the risk of cabin fever, the band goes out on tour in North America with Styx and Foreigner in tow, the first time the band goes on the road for a full tour without an album to support.
2008
The band’s 12th studio album is released in April. SONGS FROM THE SPARKLE LOUNGE, named after the backstage area in which a lot of material was recorded during the 2006 tour, features a special collaboration with country star Tim McGraw in the lead single “Nine Lives”.
A world tour starts in April, taking the band to North America, India, and various festivals in Europe. For the first time in 5 years, the UK sees the band do a proper tour, co-headlining with Whitesnake.
2009
No new music was released, but both PYROMANIA and ADRENALIZE were re-released as remastered Deluxe Editions. The first is accompanied by a never-before-released live show from Los Angeles 1983, where the latter contains a number of tracks that were previously released as B-sides and extra tracks of the various singles from 1992-1993.
Before a major American tour (with Poison and Cheap Trick) takes place in the summer, the band first plays a show in Dublin (alongside Tesla, Journey and Whitesnake) and then moves on to headline the legendary Download Festival at Donington Park, 23 years after they played there at the (then called) Monsters Of Rock festival, in front of 80,000 fans.
Whilst in the middle of the summer tour, the band decided to plan on taking a significant break. For the first time in almost 29 years they decided to take a rest after the tour – no recording or touring for a whole year. The year in question was 2010!
September 2009 was the last time they “worked” ……until April 2011 when they started making plans for the 2011 summer tour.
2010
During the year 2010 new songs were composed and chosen to accompany the first ever, live compilation of Def Leppard releases which was come to be called MIRROR BALL (Live & More). The three new songs chosen were:
Joe’s tailor made “Undefeated” – a song about not ever giving up, about heroism and success achieved through determination. His idea was to start the new 2011 shows with this uplifting chant.
Phil Collen’s “It’s all about Believin” is in the same ilk but leans toward having faith in what you do, not anything specific but just having the resolve to stick to your belief in yourself. Phil says that it is the kind of song that would have been included in the “lost” album which could have been written between Pyromania and Hysteria.
“Kings of The World” is a classic Rick Savage tune. The influence of Queen’s “We Are The Champions” is quite obvious and deliberate. He set out to write his version of classic songs like Gloria Gaynor’s “I will Survive” and Sinatra’s “My Way”. Sav’s message was a CAN DO theme.
2011
June 2011 MIRROR BALL (Live & More) was released worldwide and debut at #16 in the U.S. on the Billboard Top 200 album chart. The band kicked off their summer tour on June 7th with two dates in Ireland and headlined the U.K.’s Download Festival at Donington Park.
On June 15th they set out on a three-month North American tour with special guest HEART, which Billboard named #1 on its “Hot Tours” list for 2011. During the tour Phil Collen’s side band MANRAZE also released their sophomore album PunkFunkRootsRock on August 2nd.
In October, Def Leppard headed to Australia and New Zealand for 8 more dates with Heart.
The band got a warm welcome to Japan in November where Mirror Ball was #1 on the BURRN! chart (Japan’s leading hard rock and metal magazine). They played two dates in Osaka and Tokyo before heading back to the U.K. to round out the year in December.
On 6th December, DEF LEPPARD kicked off their six-date U.K. tour in Birmingham with MOTLEY CRUE and special guests STEEL PANTHER.
2012
On 5 June the band officially releases in the digital format the re-recorded 2012 versions of “Rock of Ages” & “Pour Some Sugar On Me” to support the upcomming Warner Bros. motion picture “Rock of Ages” which stars Tom Cruise amongst others. On 6 June Def Leppard play a rare club performance at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, CA that is part of a YouTube.com presents “Live Stream” event, as well as an after party for the movie premiere of “Rock of Ages” along with Poison. These early weeks of June finds the band also in New York City participating in various press and tv appearances.
20 June marks the date that their 2012 Rock of Ages Summer tour begins in Salt Lake City UT with Poison & Lita Ford that sees the band playing to audiences in North America, Canada, and Mexico until early September.
On 19 November the band announces that they will be performing their first ever Las Vegas residency called “VIVA Hysteria” which the band will perform their 1987 multi-platinum album Hysteria in full plus a set of greatest hits and rare songs. The residency will be live at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
With the end of the year fast approaching on 18 December, D.L. releases a suprise special digital download medley of acoustic rock songs that the band features in many live shows entitled “Acoustic Medley”. This special studio recorded medley is 7.5 minutes long and features a seamless blend of the songs “Where Does Love Go When It Dies”, “Now”, “When Love & Hate Collide”, “Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad” and “Two Steps Behind”.
2013
After months of planning for VIVA Hysteria on 7 March the bands airfreight arrives from Europe and the crew begins loading in and setting up for rehearsals on Los Angeles, CA. On 10 March through 17 March D.L. offically start rehearsing for their Las Vegas residency.
That same week on 19 March the band officially releases a newly recorded version of “Hysteria” (2013) digitally.
22 March kicks off opening nite at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for a 11 date run of shows playing their mega album Hysteria in full plus a set of classics and rare songs.
2015
Def Leppard kicked of 2015 with a TV performance for the Voice (Canada) La Voix finale on April 12 in Montreal.
The 2015 World tour then kicked off in Canada on April 15th and then in Europe on May 17th playing 11 dates.
On June 20th Def Leppard kicked off their 50 + dates tour of the U.S. with Styx and Tesla.
On September 17th, Def Leppard has announced that their long-awaited new studio album will be released on October 30, 2015. The debut single from the album is entited “Let’s Go,” which premiered globally on RollingStone.com. Recorded earlier this year at Joe’s studio in Dublin, Ireland, the album will feature 14 tracks in total. This self-titled album release will mark their first new collection of material in seven years and Def Leppard’s 11th official studio release.
On October 16th Def Leppard premiered a second song off of the new album with Billboard Magazine entitled “Dangerous”.
2016 - 2019
2016
Def Leppard’s 2016 Summer Tour which ended on 10th October has made the Pollstar end of year Top Tours lists. The 2016 tour finished at Number 33 on the Top 200 North American Tours list for 57 shows played.
It also finished at Number 51 on the Top 100 Worldwide Tours and Number 34 for Top 100 Ticket Sales with 616,753 sold in total.
2017
Def Leppard announced their North American headline tour with guests Poison in Tesla in January. Def Leppard’s 2017 Tour ended on 7th October in Mexico and made the Pollstar end of year Top Tours lists.
On February 10 the band released the “…And There Will Be A Next Time (Live From Detroit” DVD, reaching 8 Top Ten DVD chart placements including #1 in the US, Canada and France.
In April of 2017 guitarist Phil Collen appeared on Comedy Central’s “Comedy Jam” television show alongside Taryn Manning & Sebastian Bach.
On April 22 Def Leppard re-released the Def Leppard EP on 12-inch 45 rpm for Record Store Day.
In June of 2017 Rolling Stone ranked Pyromania one of the 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time.
On August 4, 2017 Def Leppard released the remastered Hysteria 30th anniversary editions. The reissue included B-sides and live tracks, plus the audio for “In The Round In Your Face (Live)” on CD for the first time ever. The release landed Hysteria back on the charts at #1 with praise from fellow rockers Brian May, Steven Tyler and Brian Johnson, as well as Forbes, Rolling Stone & Billboard.
32 years after the originally scheduled Rock In Rio performance, Def Leppard made a triumphant return to the World Stage on September 21.
2018
On January 19th, Def Leppard made a massive announcement to finally release their entire catalog for digital and streaming worldwide, a 60 date, co-headlining summer tour with Journey, and the “Hysteria and More” tour in UK & Ireland in December. Dubbed “Def Leppard Day” the release propelled Def Leppard back onto the charts. Digital song sales skyrocketed 1,422% reaching top 10 in over 30 countries, as well as the #1, #2, and #3 positions on the US Catalog Album Chart. Hysteria reached #3 on the Billboard 200, and albums Pyromania and Vault earned their highest chart positions ever.
In March of 2018, guitarist Vivian Campbell released his Signature Les Paul Custom model with Gibson Guitars, and became a celebrity ambassador for Northern Ireland Hospice.
Def Leppard performed at the legendary Royal Albert Hall on March 25 to benefit Teenage Cancer Trust with Roger Daltrey bringing them onstage. While in London Def Leppard also announced and completed press for the release of a forthcoming series of career spanning box sets with volume 1 to be release in June of 2018.
Launched in April, Joe Elliott received a new radio show “Songs From The Vault” airing monthly on Sirius XM.
On April 21st the band released “Def Leppard – Live At Abbey Road” which featured 3 never-before-released songs recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studios back in 2008.
On 13 May the band arrived in New York City to kick off tour rehearsals and record 2 songs for their Spotify Sessions which later revealed to be a cover of Depeche Mode’s “Personal Jesus” and “Hysteria”. On May 21st the start of the Def Leppard x Journey tour started in Hartford, CT.
Def Leppard and Elysian Brewing also joined forces in May of 2018 to launch the “Def Leppard Pale” beer. The beer would be sold nationwide during the tour and at select local venues.
On June 1, 2018 Def Leppard released the first of four career-spanning box sets, including our first four albums, rarities, and the original Def Leppard EP.
In July of 2018, Def Leppard released their “Spotify Singles Sessions” recorded at Spotify Studios in NYC. The sessions included a cover of Depeche Mode’s “Personal Jesus” as well as a new re-recording of “Hysteria”.
On July 18, 2018 the band celebrated 40 years since their first gig at Westfield School in Sheffield, England.
July 26th the band announced they will be shooting a music video for their cover of Depeche Mode’s “Personal Jesus”.
On October 7th Def Leppard concluded their North American tour w/ Journey at The Forum in Los Angeles, CA with two sold out nites at The Forum. It was announced by Pollstar Magazine that their North American summer tour sold over 1 Million tickets.
On October 9, 2018, Def Leppard received the prestigious nomination for the 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction. This notably marks their first inclusion on the ballot.
Closing out a banner 2018, on October 12, 2018 Def Leppard reveal a string of upcoming releases. The group assemble a brand new greatest hits collection entitled The Story So Far – The Best Of, arriving in stores and online November 30, 2018 which includes the recent fan favorite Depeche Mode cover “Personal Jesus,” “Rock On (Remix),”. As a bonus for collectors, the first pressing vinyl copies of The Story So Far feature an exclusive 7” single of “Personal Jesus”.
Additionally, Def Leppard shared “We All Need Christmas” as a standalone digital single.
Next up on November 30, the group will release Hysteria: The Singles, a new limited edition, 10-disc vinyl box set featuring all of the 7” singles from their eponymous multi-platinum album Hysteria, which celebrated its 30th anniversary last year.
November 27th – release the official video for Personal Jesus
On December 12, 2018 it was announced that Def Leppard would be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The band will be inducted in 2019 alongside The Cure, Janet Jackson, Stevie Nicks, Radiohead, Roxy Music and The Zombies and take place on March 29, 2019 in Brooklyn, NY at Barclays Center.
2019
2019 kicks off with the announcement on 9 January of their Canadian summer tour w/ Tesla.
2020 - PRESENT
2020
On 21st February, Def Leppard won the “Best British Band” and “Best Live Band” awards at the Planet Rock awards.
On 27th February, Def Leppard released single “Rocket (Live)” along with announcement of the London to Vegas concert films. London To Vegas was released on 24th April.
On 20th March 2020 Def Leppard released ‘The Early Years 79-81’ Boxset – the definitive collection of the band’s early music. ‘The Early Years 79-81’ boxset represents the band’s first two albums, ‘On Through The Night’ (1980) and ‘High ‘N’ Dry’ (1981), and has been prepared in conjunction with singer Joe Elliott who has acted as executive producer on the set. The mastering has been done by the band’s long serving sound engineer Ronan McHugh.
This deluxe set comes with 5-CDs consisting of the original album remastered, B-sides, rarities and re-mix versions, Radio One sessions, Live from Reading and the first ever appearance of an unreleased and newly mixed show from Oxford in 1980. These remasters have been highly anticipated, and much requested, by Def Leppard fans globally.
From 24 April to 26 April, Def Leppard Took Over SiriusXM’s Hair Nation Channel. Band members spun Def Leppard’s biggest hits and shared the stories behind those songs. Listeners heard exclusive SiriusXM ‘at-home’ performances from Joe and Phil. The takeover also featured music from their tour-mates on The Stadium Tour, Motley Crue and Poison, and other bands they love.
On 29 May, the London to Vegas Limited-Edition Deluxe Boxset was released. London To Vegas features two spectacular concert films: Hysteria At The O2 and Hits Vegas, Live At Planet Hollywood and is released in a Limited-Edition Deluxe Boxset (2Blu-ray/2DVD + 4CD’s) including a 40 page book. The Hysteria set is also available in multiple formats, including a limited edition crystal clear 2LP set.
On 11 June, Def Leppard launched CREW 2020 – a limited edition merch line inspired by authentic touring/local crew shirt designs to support the Def Leppard touring crew. Net proceeds from the sale directly benefited the Def Leppard crew.
In July, Phil Collen launched the 30-day fitness challenge, encouraging fans to stay healthy and keep motivated even while quarantined at home. Across these 30 days, Phil shared numerous exercise tips, recipes, and words of wisdom about how he keeps in both physical and mental shape.
3rd August marked the 33rd anniversary of “Hysteria” album release. This anniversary was celebrated with a digital listening party and live chat with Phil Collen, new Hysteria merch, and a
“Show Us Yours” Hysteria memorabilia contest encouraging fans to share their Hysteria artifacts.
On 8th October, The Struts released a new song featuring Joe Elliott & Phil Collen: “I Hate How Much I Want You”.
On 16th October, Eagle Rock Entertainment released a standalone audio versions of Hysteria At The O2 and Hits Vegas, Live At Planet Hollywood. Initially paired in an audiovisual boxed set this past May (London To Vegas), these will be available as limited edition 2CDS. Additionally, Hits Vegas will also be released as a limited edition transparent blue vinyl LP on December 11.
On 26th October, Def Leppard announced the brand new, first of its kind Def Leppard Vault — the first ever collection of the band’s artifacts and related stories, curated from and told by Joe, Sav, Rick, Phil and Viv. The Def Leppard Vault will serve as a constantly curated museum, including special installations where fans can gather to see the band’s history from 1977 to now.
9 December Rick Allen was voted “best rock drummer of the year” awards hosted by Music Radar.
2021
On 1 January Def Leppard announced that on 13 January they will be opening the official Def Leppard Vault the first ever collection of the band’s artifacts and related stories, curated from and told by Joe, Sav, Rick, Phil and Viv. The Def Leppard Vault will serve as a constantly curated museum, including special installations where fans can gather to see the band’s history from 1977 to now.
8 January marked the 30th anniversary of Steve Clark’s passing. To commemorate this anniversary Phil Collen held a special Fan Q&A via social media and will release his answers via a special tribute response video to be hosted in the official Def Leppard Vault.
On 14 May Def Leppard & Mötley Crue announced that their Stadium Tour which was supposed to run in Summer 2020 and again in Summer 2021 will now be moved to 2022 due to the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic. “To all our loyal fans, we wanted to let you know that we learned today that the tour is getting moved to 2022. This is the only way to ensure that we can play ALL of the dates for ALL of you who have purchased tickets. We appreciate you hanging in there and can’t wait to get back on stage and bring The Stadium Tour to all of our fans.It is going to be one for the history books!” – Def Leppard, Mötley Crue,Poison & Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.
On 11 June, the Volume 3 Box Set was released alongside a Twitter Live Q&A with band members. This limited edition set marks the third of four volumes of the band’s complete recorded output in both 180gm vinyl and limited-edition CD box sets. They contain all the recordings from the band in the 2000’s and features the original packaging on both formats. To date, X, Yeah! and Songs from the Sparkle Lounge have never been available on vinyl before.
6 July marked the 40th anniversary of the High ‘n’ Dry album, which the band celebrated online with a Retrospective Event on the Leppard Vault.
2022
In January Def Leppard kicked off a year-long celebration of the 45th anniversary of the formation of the band, using a new sapphire-colored logo to represent the 45 years.
On 1 February the band kicked off an online cover contest, encouraging fans to share a video of them covering a Def Leppard song for a chance to win a Jackson guitar.
On 17 March, Def Leppard announced the brand new album Diamond Star Halos to be released on May 27, along with releasing the first single from said album, “Kick”.
Ready to ignite 2022, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted icons and rock music legends Def Leppard return with their twelfth full-length album, Diamond Star Halos, on May 27, 2022. It marks the band’s first new work since 2015’s chart-topping self-titled, Def Leppard. It is available for pre-order now in multiple configurations, including a Deluxe Edition, 2-LP Vinyl, Digital formats and more.
To herald the arrival of Diamond Star Halos, the UK quintet—Joe Elliott [vocals], Rick Savage [bass], Rick Allen [drums], Phil Collen [guitar], and Vivian Campbell [guitar]— have just shared a powerful and rip-roaring new rock single entitled “Kick.” The song thrusts into an anthemic stadium-ready frenzy kickstarted with driving guitars and bombastic drums woven into its musical fabric. Meanwhile, the chorus has all the makings of another iconic Leppard hit with its skyscraping vocals and melodies the band has become synonymous for. You can check the track out below.
The artwork for Diamond Star Halos is art in itself. The design follows pedigree with their instantly recognizable album covers from their celebrated past. With images by world renowned photographer and director Anton Corbijn, styling concepts by Maryam Malakpour and graphics by the UK based Munden Brothers, the design truly follows the band’s influence through their eyes today.
Over the past two years, Def Leppard recorded Diamond Star Halos simultaneously in three different countries with Joe in Ireland, Sav in England, and Phil, Vivian, and Rick in the United States. Without the pressure of timelines or a fixed schedule, they poured all of their energy into crafting 15 meaningful tracks with a mixture of classic spirit meets modern fire.
Thematically, they nodded to their earliest collective influences such as David Bowie, T. Rex, and Mott The Hoople, among others. The title itself notably references T. Rex’s “Bang a Gong (Get It On).” However, they didn’t embark on this journey alone. The multi-Grammy award winning and legendary artist Alison Krauss lent her instantly recognizable and angelic voice to “This Guitar” and “Lifeless,” while David Bowie pianist Mike Garson performs on “Goodbye For Good This Time” and “Angels (Can’t Help You Now).”
On 25 March, the music video for the new single “Kick” was released.
31st March marked 30 years of Def Leppard’s “Adrenalize” album.
On 18 April 18 Def Leppard launched a collaboration with Peloton for their Rock 22 challenge through an official Def Leppard artist series. As a part of this series, numerous Def Leppard-themed Peleton classes were held, and Phil Collen sat down to chat with Peleton instructor Sam Yo.
On 20 April, the new single Take What You Want was released. This marks the second single released from the forthcoming album Diamond Star Halos.
On 21 April, Def Leppard announced and released Let’s Rock It – a new Match 3 puzzle game app which invited players to step into the shoes of a rock band manager and collect bonus gems, unlock cool features, dress your rock heroes in style, and more.
On 29 April 29, the Take What You Want lyric video was released.
On 20 May, the third single from Diamond Star Halos, Fire It Up, was released – a week before the new album ‘s release. The single is classic Def Leppard – the kind of infectious multi harmony vocals that Def Leppard are renowned for.
On 25 May, Def Leppard performed live on Jimmy Kimmel – including a trio of classic songs “Rock of Ages”, “Hysteria”, and “Pour Some Sugar On Me” for the off-air performances.
On 26 May, the Fire It Up music video was released.
Also on 26 May, Def Leppard performed an intimate, special invitation-only concert at the Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles in celebration of the band’s forthcoming album Diamond Star Halos.
On 27 May, Def Leppard release their twelfth full-length album, Diamond Star Halos. It marks the band’s first new work since 2015’s chart-topping self-titled, Def Leppard. It is available for pre-order now in multiple configurations, including a Deluxe Edition, 2-LP Vinyl, Digital formats and more. Exclusive bundles including newly designed album merch have also launched.
To celebrate the new release, Def Leppard launched a limited-time Def Leppard SiriusXM Radio Channel on channel 39 and on the SXM App.
On 10 June, Def Leppard announced a new Gin product in partnership with Brands for Fans.
On 16 June, Def Leppard kicked off The 2022 Stadium Tour in Atlanta, GA’s Truist Park.
On 17 June, Def Leppard released the first webisode of “Behind The Stadium Tour”, the band’s online vlog series showcasing behind-the-scenes moments from The Stadium Tour.
On 26 June, Def Leppard announced the launch of the limited-editionDef Leppard Beauty Collection with Rock and Roll Beauty and Ulta Beauty. This product line reflects the days of anthemic guitars, soaring vocals, and stadium rock sound.
With its shimmery pinks and metallic shades such as Rocket Blue, this 19-piece collection is highly pigmented and designed to give you a rock-star look!
Available exclusively in Ulta Beauty stores nationwide, and online at www.ulta.com and www.rockandrollbeauty.com.
Through a unique collaboration with Def Leppard and the designers at Rock and Roll Beauty, comes this distinctive and nostalgic collection. From the one-of-a-kind iconic triangular artistry palette, with its 14 vibrant shades, to the Union Jack debossed peachy blushes, each product in the line was designed to reflect the rock and roll era that truly was a groundbreaking musical phenomena. The deal and product development were executed by a licensing agency of the band, Epic Rights.
The collection includes eyeshadow palettes and shadow sticks, lipsticks and lip oils, highlighters, candles, makeup brushes and sponges, nail decals, accessories, and more.
On 30 June, “Diamond Star Halos” was featured in Classic Rock Magazine in their list for the “40 Best Rock Albums of the Year”
On 5 July, Def Leppard performed “Pour Some Sugar On Me” at CNN’s “Fourth In America” concert.
On 10 July, Joe Elliott was a special guest at Billy Joel’s Detroit concert at Boston’s Fenway Park.
On July 12, 2022 DEF LEPPARD surpassed yet another benchmark. The band was awarded Pandora’s Billionaire plaque tallying over 2.5 billion total plays and counting on the platform to date. The band is currently featured on Pandora’s “Hard Rock Billionaires” station, which is composed of all the billion-streaming hard rock artists in Pandora history. Executives from Pandora and SiriusXM surprised the group backstage at their recent exclusive club show at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California, where they presented the band with the incredible honor.
On 29 July, the “This Guitar” lyric video was released.
July 30, Def Leppard celebrated the 35th Anniversary of Hysteria with Apple Music with a number of cool and new interviews and content.
August 2, Def Leppard kicked off Hysteria Week – a 7-day celebration of the legendary album.
August 17 Joe and Phil join Foo Fighters and The Hawkins family for the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert.
On October 18, Def Leppard announce ‘DEFINITELY: The Official Story of Def Leppard’. Part memoir, part scrapbook, DEFINITELY is the ultimate record of Def Leppard’s legendary career.
October 22,Def Leppard announce The World Tour with Motley Crue. First, U.S. Stadiums…now – THE WORLD. The massive tour would hit Latin America & Europe in 2023!
December 9, Classic Rock Magazine names Diamond Star Halos “album of the year.”
2023
On January 17, Def Leppard make a cameo appearance on the Netflix UK #1 film, Bank of Dave.
January 20 Def Leppard celebrates 40 years of Pyromania kicking off a year-long campaign with a special message from the band. Including new mixes in Dolby Spatial Audio.
On February 18, Def Leppard and Motely Crue get back together for the World Tour. The 28-date tour kicked off in Mexico City before making their way throughout South America and then across the pond to the UK and Europe. Pollstar would name the 2022 tour as the “Rock Tour of the Year” on February 23.
March 30 Def Leppard release the Animal Drastic Symphonies directors cut video. The track would immediately garner airplay on BBC Radio 2 and the band would visit the station on 18 May to perform three specially-arranged tracks in collaboration with the BBC Concert Orchestra. The album would become BBC Radio 2’s album of the week that same week.
On May 18, Def Leppard released “Definitely: The Official Story of Def Leppard” in the UK. ‘We’ve been around each other’s pain and suffering, as well as the wonderful stuff like kids and marriage. And then when we make music together it’s amazing.’ – Phil Collen
On May 19, Def Lepaprd released Drastic Symphonies. Rock and classical royalty unite on brand new euphoric album Drastic Symphonies – Def Leppard’s greatest produced tracks dramatically reimagined and sounding larger and more exhilarating than ever before, teamed with London’s iconic The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, and including new vocals and instrumental from the band, Drastic Symphonies is available NOW on clear and standard 2LP, limited edition 2LP picture disc, 1CD/Blu-ray, 1CD and digital formats. The album charted at No. 4 on the UK album chart. And would go on to reach #1 on the Billboard Classical and Classical Crossover charts.
On December 7, Def Leppard and Journey announced the Summer Stadium Tour 2024 with special guests Steve Miller Band and Cheap Trick taking over legendary baseball stadiums across North America.
2024
On February 14, Def Leppard announce the release of their Live at Whiskey a Go Go show streaming on YouTube for 24 hours only before releasing individual tracks from the intimate performance.
February 15, Def Leppard announced the Record Store Day release of Live at The Leadmill Sheffield 2023 where the group performed an intimate hometown show One Night Only.
On February 28, it was announced that the long-awaited Pyromania Box Set would be coming on April 26. The new package would feature unheard demos and live shows, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the groundbreaking record.
June 13 the band released a brand-new single Just Like ’73 featuring Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine. The track premiered on BBC Radio 2 the previous night and would be followed up with an official animated video released later in the month.
On July 6 Def Leppard, Journey, Steve Miller Band and Cheap Trick embarked on the 23-date Summer Stadium Tour across North America playing legendary ballparks across the country.
July 19 the band announce an all-new graphic novel, Hysteria, from Vault Comics and co-written by Phil. Continuing the celebration of rock, the graphic novel Hysteria follows Foz, the frontwoman of indie band Darkside, after she inherits her father’s estate and discovers it comes with a half-remembered guitar from her childhood. The guitar speaks to her, promising fame and success. Soon, it delivers. But when Darkside’s equipment is stolen at a massive music venue, just before they’re set to take the stage with Def Leppard, Foz goes on the warpath to get it back. A knuckle-dusting rampage ensues, and the guitar’s true history is revealed.
On July 29 Def Leppard partnered with Sweetwater to launch the Pyromania Cover Song Content celebrating the 40th anniversary. Musicians could record a track from the album for a chance to win over $13,000 in gear from Sweetwater with the winning performance being hand-selected by the band.
August 2 World renowned DJ Armand Van Helden kindy honored Def Leppard by creating a remix of “Photograph” to celebrate Pyromania’s 40th Anniversary.
On August 22 it was announced that Def Leppard One Night Only Live at the Leadmill Sheffield would be released on additional formats on October 11 following the success of the Record Store Day vinyl release.