In July 1982, Phil Collen walked into Battery Studios to audition for Def Leppard. He plugged in his Ibanez Destroyer and nailed “Stagefright” in the first take. He had similar results with “Foolin’,” “Photograph,” and “Rock of Ages,” and then impressed the band even further with his singing chops. Next thing he knew, Phil was on the Pyromania tour and the album was catching fire all around the world. “Okay,” Phil thought, “I guess I’m in the band.” 🎸
In July 1982, Phil Collen joined Def Leppard and helped boost the band to superstardom. In the latest Leppard Vault collection, we celebrate Phil’s earliest days with the band. Explore NOW at LeppardVault.com 🤘
The virtual gala, powered by Microsoft, will be an illustrious celebration of Black Girl Magic featuring phenomenal musical performances by the iconic Queen of Funk Chaka Khan, and GRAMMY® nominated virtuosos Alice Smith and Maimouna Youssef aka MuMu Fresh; DC’sall-female go-go band Bela Dona, GRAMMY Award winning gospel singer Tasha Cobbs Leonard, celebrity DJ Aktive, and an exclusive collaboration with Chaka Khan and Def Leppard lead guitarist Phil Collen. The event will be hosted by esteemed actress Tatyana Ali and hip-hop icon MC Lyte, with appearances by acclaimed actor Wood Harris, GRAMMY® Award winning artist Estelle and more.
The BGR! 15-Year Anniversary Fundraising Gala will benefit the advocacy and philanthropic work that BLACK GIRLS ROCK! continues to pioneer via its programs and initiatives. Tickets for the virtual gala can be purchased online at www.blackgirlsrock.com
As part of a multi-year strategic partnership with BLACK GIRLS ROCK!, Microsoft is also extending fundraising support through Give with Bing, an initiative with the Microsoft Rewards program. Through Give with Bing, fans and followers of BLACK GIRLS ROCK! can earn Microsoft Rewards points by searching on Microsoft Bing. These points can then be donated to BLACK GIRLS ROCK! via Give with Bing. And it doesn’t stop with that—all funds raised for BLACK GIRLS ROCK! through Microsoft Rewards will be matched through June 30, 2021. Start donating here: give.com/bgr
TODAY, Saturday June 5th – tune in for Phil’s performance with Slash, Robert DeLeo and Forrest Robinson for the Los Angeles Zoo’s Beastly Ball – L.A.’s biggest fundraiser devoted to saving species and helps sustain all the great work that’s happening at the L.A. Zoo! To learn more and watch live, visit https://beastlyball.lazoo.org.
INFO ON THE EVENT:
This star-studded event will be hosted by Actor, Comedian, and TV Host Joel McHale and honors the philanthropic work of Actors Jackie Chan and Leila George, and will be filled with inspiring conservation stories; special celebrity guests; animal moments; an online auction; and musical performances by Weezer, REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin, Slash with Def Leppard’s Phil Collen and Stone Temple Pilots’Robert DeLeo; and Poet Christopher Simms reading a poem he wrote called “The Return of the Earth/She;” and much more. Guests can watch the live event and/or participate in the silent auction at www.lazoo.org/beastlyball.
Announced today, Phil will perform with Chaka Khan at the empowerment brand Black Girls Rock Fundraiser Live Stream on June 18th. Info + tickets for the virtual gala at: https://blackgirlsrock.com/
The virtual gala, powered by Microsoft, will be an illustrious celebration of Black Girl Magic featuring phenomenal musical performances by the iconic Queen of Funk Chaka Khan, and GRAMMY® nominated virtuosos Alice Smith and Maimouna Youssef aka MuMu Fresh; DC’sall-female go-go band Bela Dona, GRAMMY Award winning gospel singer Tasha Cobbs Leonard, celebrity DJ Aktive, and an exclusive collaboration with Chaka Khan and Def Leppard lead guitarist Phil Collen. The event will be hosted by esteemed actress Tatyana Ali and hip-hop icon MC Lyte, with appearances by acclaimed actor Wood Harris, GRAMMY® Award winning artist Estelle and more.
The BGR! 15-Year Anniversary Fundraising Gala will benefit the advocacy and philanthropic work that BLACK GIRLS ROCK! continues to pioneer via its programs and initiatives. Tickets for the virtual gala can be purchased online at www.blackgirlsrock.com
As part of a multi-year strategic partnership with BLACK GIRLS ROCK!, Microsoft is also extending fundraising support through Give with Bing, an initiative with the Microsoft Rewards program. Through Give with Bing, fans and followers of BLACK GIRLS ROCK! can earn Microsoft Rewards points by searching on Microsoft Bing. These points can then be donated to BLACK GIRLS ROCK! via Give with Bing. And it doesn’t stop with that—all funds raised for BLACK GIRLS ROCK! through Microsoft Rewards will be matched through June 30, 2021. Start donating here: give.com/bgr
In honor of the 30th anniversary of Steve Clark’s passing today, here is a special Fan Q&A from Phil to you. A special Steve Clark collection will be added to the Def Leppard Vault coming soon.
