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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