Def Leppard

Def Leppard are an English hard rock band formed in Sheffield in 1977, one of the defining acts of the new wave of British heavy metal and among the best-selling rock groups of all time. The band — vocalist Joe Elliott, guitarists Steve Clark and Pete Willis (later Phil Collen), bassist Rick Savage, and drummer Rick Allen — developed a sound that merged heavy rock guitar with enormous, layered vocal harmonies and an unashamed pop sensibility. High 'N' Dry (1981) and Pyromania (1983) established the template, with Pyromania becoming one of the decade's landmark rock records, producing Photograph, Rock Of Ages, and Foolin', and selling over ten million copies in the US alone. The recording of the follow-up was interrupted in January 1985 when drummer Rick Allen lost his arm in a car accident — rather than replace him, the band adapted the drum kit with custom electronics and continued, a decision that became emblematic of their tenacity. Hysteria (1987) was the result of nearly three years of recording and became one of the best-selling albums of the decade, producing seven singles including Pour Some Sugar On Me, Love Bites, and Animal. The album has sold over twenty million copies worldwide. Tragedy struck again when guitarist Steve Clark died in January 1991, and the band continued with guitarist Vivian Campbell. Adrenalize (1992), Slang (1996), Euphoria (1999), and subsequent records maintained commercial success through multiple decades. Def Leppard remain one of the most enduring acts in rock music, their classic-era catalogue a foundational text in hard rock songwriting.