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hen Def Leppard formed in 1977 in Sheffield, England, the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal( NWOBHM) scene was in full swing.
From their glammy influences of the’ 70s, to their pioneering MTV video days, morphing into rock titans in the’ 90s, Def Leppard have become one of the most prolific touring bands around today.
Anchored by the veteran line-up of vocalist Joe Elliot, bassist Rick Savage, drummer Rick Allen and guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell, Def Leppard are( touring with Poison and Tesla) playing cities and venues it didn’ t get a chance to perform in on its first leg of a tour that began last year.“ That’ s the whole point of this one,” long-time guitarist Phil Collen said.“ One of the great things that is different about this package is it’ s an absolute celebration of integrity. All three bands have original members; it’ s not like it’ s one guy and a bunch of new guys. We all know each other and we’ ve toured constantly over the years, so it’ s a nice feeling.”
One thing is perfectly clear, fans love seeing the band live – and the instant gratification of playing live is what Collen & Co. still live for after all these years.“ I’ m 60 this year,” Collen said.“ I go on stage and songs I’ ve spent hours in the studio or writing or recording; people are singing them back to me! Women are throwing their underwear [ at us ] and people are going crazy. I don’ t see how that could get boring. Obviously, if we didn’ t put the effort in then people wouldn’ t react that way. But that never gets old. Give me that every day!”
2017 marks the 30th anniversary of the 12-times platinum Hysteria album that charted at # 1 on the Billboard charts and
catapulted the band into another stratosphere by spawning seven hit singles and selling millions of copies.“ That’ s when I stopped drinking, so I have a very clear thought of the process and especially the tour after that,” Collen said of Hysteria.“ I remember we put so much effort into it. God bless [ producer ]‘ Mutt’ Lange, because he said we didn’ t want to create Pyromania Part 2 and that it was going to take a lot more hard work. We had to step outside the genre and try to cross over. We went along with him and that’ s why we’ re still celebrating 30 years later as a band. It was just amazing to be a part of that team.”
One of the highlights of a Def Leppard show is the massive video screen behind drummer Rick Allen, which at one point shows classic clips of the band and its former guitarist, the late Steve Clark.“ I miss Steve every day,” Collen said.“ I don’ t always see the scene, but I know the footage is up there. Steve’ s still a member of the band and he’ s still part of it in a huge way. So, I think it’ s really nice that we give respect to Steve. It’ s great to see him up there. It’ s the best way we can honor him I think.”
Now, after 40 years as a band, Def Leppard is still relevant live, and more importantly, the members still love it.“ Musicians provide a service,” Collen said.“ You make people feel better; you create escapism. When you write a song, you hope you strike an emotional chord. Some people take it to heart. All we can hope for is that it makes someone’ s day better, one way or another.”
Appearing June 24 at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, Tinley Park
By Kelley Simms
44 illinoisentertainer. com june 2017