I am sadly disappointed but not surprised. Three out of 7 venues e mailed me back and was VAGUE at best but all had one thing in common, that the ARTIST sometimes objects to cameras and maybe that's true BUT Def Leppard doesn't care, that much I know.
I know several other bands that don't also BUT at some venues I go to, they state that the BAND is the one that said it, NOT them. Every venue I attend, they have signs clearly posted that no cameras are allowed. They don't specify "No Professional Cameras" yet if you ask, they sometimes say "Just disposables or digitals are fine but no flash but a lot will evict you from the premises if you so much as take a pic with your camera phone.
Who wins here? What harm are people doing by taking pics of their favorite bands? If any band feels that cameras shouldn't be allowed, what does that tell us? Are bands like Def Leppard afraid what the pics will be used for or afraid profits will be made and they won't get a cut? With Def Leppard, I highly doubt it because Def Leppard is by far the NICEST of all bands I've met.
ALL bands, Def Leppard, Velvet Revolver, anyone is getting free publicity from this. Personal photos make up more than 50% of the photos found on the net. The FANS are the ones that need to worry about how their pics are used because someone might snag it and say "Yes, I took this pic" More and more, pics found on the net are watermarked but sadly, there are ways around that, with the help of photo shop, Paint shop Pro, etc.
Perhaps this is what worries the bands but I ask you What the hell is it to the venue? Are they pouting because they aren't getting a cut or being named as the venue where it was taken? Sometimes they are and if they are, THEY are also getting free publicity.
Or is it a simple power trip by making this stupid rule. I support NO professional cameras unless you are press or recording cameras unless you are making a video for them. There are some rules that are a matter of safety but no cameras is by far the most STUPID and if a fan gets thrown out and treated like a common criminal for simply wanting to take a pic of their favorite band, that security guard needs to lose his job.
If a band has a problem with pics and enforces this particular treatment, then that band will have one less fan and deservedly so. In a disturbing trend of pics being sold on ebay after being autographed or even not, it is understandable for the band to be skeptical but unfortunately one person's screw up, makes us all suffer because it is impossible to find the actual culprit unless they post for the world to see, name, address, phone number and computers IP address.
In conclusion, Def Leppard is one of the few bands I know for certain that doesn't care if you have a camera and don't let ANY venue tell you otherwise. Once more, if you feel you have been mistreated by any member of the security for having a camera and know you were told that you could have one as long as it wasn't professional, report them.
I don't care if they have a uniform and or are the police themselves, no one should be mistreated under any circumstances by security or police, even if the fan themselves are mistreating others, two wrongs don't make a right.
They need to edit their policies and specify NO professional cameras and no recording devices and let the rest be okay, not okay is where it becomes a problem. No one has ever died of having their picture taken but have the right to object and if they object, it should be respected, however, the bands themselves need to make the rules of no cameras, if that is their wish and make it part of their websites, instead of laying the blame at the venues feet and make it a part of the contract.
HOWEVER, if the band like Def Leppard has no problem with it, the venue needs to be told and the venue should not lie and say the band said no, when they never said any such thing. This is all for now
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
The Camera Policy VS The Band
This is a two part article on the Camera policies at the concerts and I will be using Def Leppard as a subject for my piece. Part one is based on my experiences at different Def Leppard shows and securities enforcement of a no camera policy including what they say about it.
Every venue is different but they all have one thing in common and that is a sign that says “No Cameras or recording devices, no alcohol, etc” and at every show you go to, if you ask the security if cameras are allowed, some will say disposable only, while others will say no professional cameras with changeable lenses. Still others, will say no cameras at all.
My personal favorite is that they always say that it’s like Def Leppard who enforce these rules. For instance, the DTE Energy Music Theatre says they don’t prohibit cameras as long as they are not professional or recording devices, however, many artists do and to contact them the day of the show to see what the artists policy is.
In the case of Def Leppard, I have been to many, many concerts for them and know for a fact that they do not care if you bring a camera as long as its not a recording device or a professional camera. They have never stated that they do not want cameras at their shows.
If you think about it, if they did, they’d have a policy about it on their official website and the fans would know that is legit and even though some would still bring a camera, at least they know it’s the policy of the band and not the venue.
In Moline Illinois I was told by security that Def Leppard was not allowing cameras for this event, like it was all them, not the venue. Of course the fans still had cameras and took pics but at every venue, its completely different and the signs never specify if you can have a disposable, digital, or otherwise.
It simply states no cameras and if they tell you, you can have a camera; they often change their minds when the show begins.
The venues and the artists need to be on the same page and decide what they want because it confuses everyone and fans get upset and sometimes in trouble for something that isn’t hurting anyone. The fans simply want pictures of their favorite band like Def Leppard. It gives them something to remember that night and if they get their pics with the guys, it makes it even more special.
I think the security and the venues are more worried about themselves and think that because they have a uniform, it gives them power and they end up abusing their authority. I have encountered this many times and a lot of those times, it ends up where one security guard is the spoiler, while others don’t really care.
I don’t see why they feel they have to be such an ass because there are the few and far between that are nice and when security is nice, it makes a better time for both the band and the fans and also fans aren’t as likely to become out of hand if they are treated fairly and security doesn’t over step the boundaries of their jobs.
This is the end of part one, part two will contain research done by e mailing different venues where Def Leppard is playing and get their perspective on camera policies. Thank you.
Friday, July 13, 2007
The Battle of the Critics VS Def Leppard
Throughout their careers, Def Leppard has had its share of good and bad reviews. Over the past ten years, they’ve had more than their share of bad reviews, including the most recent from the Columbus Dispatch who Bill Eichenberger says Joe Elliott is mediocre at best to BC Music’s review of Yeah, stating it was pure crap.
The critics seem to agree on one thing and that is Def Leppard is still touring and making albums.
The one thing they can’t agree on is the performance, songs and Joe Elliott’s voice and yes looks.
All of this seems a bit ridiculous when you think of it because they are criticizing them based on superficial bullshit.
Are they all jealous or is Def Leppard simply so good that the only things they can fault them for is Joe’s voice that might be a little tired from weeks of performances on the road or the sound system might be a little off.
Def Leppard seems to let the drops of artificial crap that fall from the sky, narrowly missing their heads and bitter worms bitten from the apple that fell from the rotting tree grown from the tiny seeds of jealous critics to a blooming orchard of snide remarks and wishful thinkers who only wish that they could be Def Leppard fall by the wayside and let it wash away in the rivers of water that go down the drain of the sewers where the rats live.
There are the rare flowers that give Def Leppard the rave reviews they’ve sweated for and earned, such as Lumina Magazine who stated that Def Leppard makes us glad we can hear, perhaps burying the mounds of fertilizer beneath their feet and will thrive on their tiny shreds of barely visible decency when they toss in a couple of left handed comments so as to not come across as a complete jackass.
Def Leppard will just scrape them off their shoes and move on, ignoring the splatters of horse manure that blows backward when the critics are slapped in the face with the rants of Def Leppard’s fans, who strive to defend their honor.
The critics, including myself don’t count when it comes to their careers, what counts is the music and the fans who come to see Def Leppard play. From the first time they see them to the last, Def Leppard gives them an escape from everyday stress and inspires them that tomorrow will be a better day. The critics who give them unfair and prejudiced reviews have their blindfolds on, along with their ear plugs, stuffed in a little too tight. They can’t read between the lines and see and hear the genuine article, the reviews of their fans.
If these critics would bother to take the blindfolds off and take out the ear plugs, they might see that Def Leppard has a style that will never be out of date and their music will continue to provide pleasure for their fans long after they have retired their guitars and put away their mics.
The bad reviews only seem to fuel the men of Def Leppard and they constantly become better, showing the critics that their reviews are in vain. When it comes to the battle of the critics vs Def Leppard, Def Leppard wins hands down, twenty to one. This is all.
Def Leppard comes to Tweeter
Def Leppard gets ready to rock the Tweeter Center in Camden New Jersey tomorrow night. This article from the Delco Times goes onto talk about how the trends of the 80's to today has changed and the hair styles have changed from Joe's tight curly locks to the ever popular Mullet he made famous and 30 years later, Joe wears his hair straight and the same length but his hair styles are ever changing from year to year.
Viv says "Being a bunch of guys men, we don't talk about hair"
Compared to the early 80s when Def Leppard hit it big, now, Def Leppard still wears the rock star clothes but the hair styles are now that of men who have long since grown up. The article goes onto talk about how Def Leppard almost got into a fight with Glenn Danzig after he'd made a rude comment to his wife and someone kicked him, resulting in spilling his soup but nothing came of it and things have been forgotten. For more on this article, click here. Delco Times
Viv says "Being a bunch of guys men, we don't talk about hair"
Compared to the early 80s when Def Leppard hit it big, now, Def Leppard still wears the rock star clothes but the hair styles are now that of men who have long since grown up. The article goes onto talk about how Def Leppard almost got into a fight with Glenn Danzig after he'd made a rude comment to his wife and someone kicked him, resulting in spilling his soup but nothing came of it and things have been forgotten. For more on this article, click here. Delco Times
Thursday, July 12, 2007
The Def Leppard Experience
Before getting into Journalism, I had my very first Def Leppard experience and I'm not talking about seeing them in concert the first time, although that in itself is a memorable experience, especially for Def Leppard, since they played the first time I ever saw them at the quietest gig in Def Leppard history, Salem Oregon.
That should have been my first story considering everything that happened but too little too late but let's put it this way, this venue is one for the books as Def Leppard nearly cancels the gig because they can't turn up the volume but went on with the show and as Joe said, they've never been one to pull out of a gig in their careers and gave the audience 4 encores. The sold out show become 750 less when the audience past row 6 couldn't hear.
My first Def Leppard experience wasn't in seeing them live however, although nothing compares to Def Leppard onstage. Their music is great and you can't help but get into it when you're standing there with your ears booming and the boys are rocking the house.
The venue is in Moline Illinois at a place called Mark of the Quad. For those fans who were there, know what I mean. I arrive there from Burlington Iowa the same night I arrive and not being from Iowa, I don't know my way around and get lost trying to find the venue but when I do, I find a place to park and as luck would have it, the buses are there.
Yes, I am one of the determined ones to hang out at the buses in a typical me moment and wait. The date is June 18th, 2005 and its around umm, 6 in the evening and being from the Pacific Northwest, I am not used to the change in time zones.
It would be like 3 in the afternoon at home and there are around ten fans there, waiting for the guys. On a typical night at a gig, you will see Phil or Viv running around backstage and sometimes Rick but Sav is usually well hidden on the bus or inside the venue. Joe is the last to arrive and will be picked up by Mal in usually a white van.
Either that or he arrives in a car, driven by one of the crew. We wait patiently for the guys but its not looking good and its getting near the time to go inside. It's almost ten minutes before the show and even though they don't go onstage till later, some fans give up and head in to the show.
Its very close to showtime and I decide they are not coming out before the show. On most nights, they come out both before and after the show, depending on when they get there and if they have time. I decide to go inside and get my seat but before that, I buy my Def Leppard T shirt and then go in.
The place is packed and my seat is in the bleachers but its a pretty good seat and I sit down and wait for the show to begin. Opening acts for Def Leppard are sometimes not greeted with the upmost excitement, especially on this tour with Ricky Warwick.
Ricky Warwick from Dublin is a good friend of Joe's and Joe has helped him produce both albums, the first one Tattoos and Alibis. http://www.rickywarwick.com/
In all honesty, Ricky's music isn't my cup of tea but let me tell you, he is a very nice man. I had the opportunity to meet him in Seattle Washington, around the third or 4th show I saw them at on the X tour.
He married his Fiance in Vegas, their last date of the US tour with Joe as his best man at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. She is a very striking young woman and Ricky seemed very happy. Anyway, back to Moline. The show goes down without a hitch and Def Leppard sounds great as usual.
With X as their new album on this tour, they sing a few songs from it along with the classics and the fans enjoyed themselves and you could feel the energy among the fans as Def Leppard stormed the stage, especially during Slang. There is nothing like Slang to get the fans on their feet.
After the show, most fans head home and I head for the buses again. Security is there and per usual, begins watering you with their usual Fertilizer about how the band has left, they aren't coming out, if we don't leave, we'll be arrested and my personal favorite, "You can wait over there" pointing to a street light WAY across the street and it is across from where the main traffic flows by a heavy stream of cars. The buses are not going to stop there to open the doors and sign autographs, what does security think we're stupid?
Some eventually give up though and go home, not wanting to push their luck but the few who stay behind are not letting a security guared chase us off. It is nearly 1:30 in the morning now and the band FINALLY is beginning to come out. Much to our disappointment, we see Joe, Viv, Rick and Sav board the bus without coming over.
Phil however, comes out and after putting his things away, he comes trotting over to us with bare feet and starts signing our stuff. The fans are excited and I get my turn and I ask him to sign my shirt and he does and I shake his hand and tell him that I really enjoyed the show and I planned to catch them in Burlington. He smiles sexily and thanks me and tells me he's glad I enjoyed myself. He is one of the sweetest men I have met in a long time and even though Joe is my favorite, Phil is by far the most into the fan thing.
He quickly signs the others things and they go home happy. He says he has to go and goes back to the buses and gets on it. I decide that I want to meet Joe and I get in my car and follow the buses. I followed the second one and I should have followed the first but that didn't matter as I am driving, thinking I would be taken on a ten mile journey and instead, they go right around the corner to the Radisson hotel.
I am excited and I grab my sharpie and my camera and go inside. First face I see is Rick Allen. I am beyond excited, this was my first time meeting Def Leppard and the other guys are upstairs showering and changing. I was a bit disappointed cause I wanted to meet Joe but I am excited to meet Rick as well and after he's done talking to this fan, I go up to him and shake his hand and tell him it was an awesome show and that I thought Def Leppard was the best and he laughs, thanking me and I talked to him for a minute and then he had to go upstairs to join the rest of the Leps because he decided to do some fan things first.
I am thinking I won't get to meet Joe but a fan tells me that they will be back down so I sit down and chat with them for a few minutes, excited that I get a second chance to see him. Here I am, with my back to the elevators and I am talking and suddenly I hear Joe's name.
I turn around and he's RIGHT behind me. I am surprised, not to mentioned very excited. Joe Elliott the man is right next to me, less than 2 feet away and he's posing for a pic with fans and talking to them. His hair is damp from his recent shower and I was close enough that I could smell the soap he used, although I couldn't identify it now cause I was concentrating on him.
I didn't want to be rude so I waited and he poses for a few more pics and finally I get my opportunity. Let me backtrack a bit. Right before this, Sav and Viv come down and Sav makes a beeline for the bar they are going to have their after party at and I speak to him and say "Hi Sav, it's great to meet you, I loved the show." Sav shy, lowers his head and smiles ever so slightly and thanks me and keeps going.
Viv is not far behind but he too is elusive this night and he's ducking behind wife Jewel's as he heads for the bar. I say a Hi Viv, knowing he's not fooling anyone with trying to hide as if "You don't see me" hehe.
Shortly after that is when Joe shows up. After Joe finishes with the fans, I take the opportunity to go up to him and I say "Joe, it's so great to see you. I loved the show." This was all I could say. I froze BUT Joe smiles real big and takes my hand and says "It's great to see you too and glad you enjoyed the show" First thing through my mind is how soft his hands are.
First of all, it's not typical of a man to have such soft hands but Joe does and they make you just want to hang on. Anyway, as I finally get my courage up to ask for an autograph and a pic, he says he has to go and Mal whisks him away and he goes into the bar but Phil is lingering behind, talking to some fans who are friends of his too and I seize this opportunity and ask him for a pic, once he's done talking.
He gladly obliges, resting his hand on my shoulder and a fan takes a pic for us. Shortly after, Phil leaves too and Rick of course has already gone in to join the rest of them. Even though Sav and Viv didn't actually stop, I talked to them and felt it counted as meeting them. So, I met all of Def Leppard the second time ever, that I seen them in concert. It was a true Def Leppard experience.
I met Viv, Rick, Phil again 2 days Later in Burlington and this time I got Rick to sign my shirt and Viv also did that night. Joe made an appearance before the show and I missed him but since that first time, I have met Joe and the rest of the men of Def Leppard several times but still have to get my pic with Joe and Sav. I have all their autographs and my pic with everyone but Joe and Sav and met Sav a few more times and have his sig on a set list and my CD cover, signed that night by everyone.
Here I am a journalist and I still got nervous talking to Joe but then that was before I was actually serious about it and since then, it has become easier to talk to him. Still, the opportunity for a pic has been there but something always interferes but as Joe says There will be a next time. With any luck, this pic will be in an interview with him. This is my story and I have to say to those who haven't met them, take this opportunity now because Def Leppard is one of the few bands that are still very approachable and still very much care about the fans, besides Bon Jovi.
They all do I'm sure but Def Leppard is one of the few that don't have guards keeping fans at bay. Even through their share of stalkers, typical of any celebrity, they still remain available to their fans so take the opportunity and meet them, it is an experience of a lifetime.
That should have been my first story considering everything that happened but too little too late but let's put it this way, this venue is one for the books as Def Leppard nearly cancels the gig because they can't turn up the volume but went on with the show and as Joe said, they've never been one to pull out of a gig in their careers and gave the audience 4 encores. The sold out show become 750 less when the audience past row 6 couldn't hear.
My first Def Leppard experience wasn't in seeing them live however, although nothing compares to Def Leppard onstage. Their music is great and you can't help but get into it when you're standing there with your ears booming and the boys are rocking the house.
The venue is in Moline Illinois at a place called Mark of the Quad. For those fans who were there, know what I mean. I arrive there from Burlington Iowa the same night I arrive and not being from Iowa, I don't know my way around and get lost trying to find the venue but when I do, I find a place to park and as luck would have it, the buses are there.
Yes, I am one of the determined ones to hang out at the buses in a typical me moment and wait. The date is June 18th, 2005 and its around umm, 6 in the evening and being from the Pacific Northwest, I am not used to the change in time zones.
It would be like 3 in the afternoon at home and there are around ten fans there, waiting for the guys. On a typical night at a gig, you will see Phil or Viv running around backstage and sometimes Rick but Sav is usually well hidden on the bus or inside the venue. Joe is the last to arrive and will be picked up by Mal in usually a white van.
Either that or he arrives in a car, driven by one of the crew. We wait patiently for the guys but its not looking good and its getting near the time to go inside. It's almost ten minutes before the show and even though they don't go onstage till later, some fans give up and head in to the show.
Its very close to showtime and I decide they are not coming out before the show. On most nights, they come out both before and after the show, depending on when they get there and if they have time. I decide to go inside and get my seat but before that, I buy my Def Leppard T shirt and then go in.
The place is packed and my seat is in the bleachers but its a pretty good seat and I sit down and wait for the show to begin. Opening acts for Def Leppard are sometimes not greeted with the upmost excitement, especially on this tour with Ricky Warwick.
Ricky Warwick from Dublin is a good friend of Joe's and Joe has helped him produce both albums, the first one Tattoos and Alibis. http://www.rickywarwick.com/
In all honesty, Ricky's music isn't my cup of tea but let me tell you, he is a very nice man. I had the opportunity to meet him in Seattle Washington, around the third or 4th show I saw them at on the X tour.
He married his Fiance in Vegas, their last date of the US tour with Joe as his best man at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. She is a very striking young woman and Ricky seemed very happy. Anyway, back to Moline. The show goes down without a hitch and Def Leppard sounds great as usual.
With X as their new album on this tour, they sing a few songs from it along with the classics and the fans enjoyed themselves and you could feel the energy among the fans as Def Leppard stormed the stage, especially during Slang. There is nothing like Slang to get the fans on their feet.
After the show, most fans head home and I head for the buses again. Security is there and per usual, begins watering you with their usual Fertilizer about how the band has left, they aren't coming out, if we don't leave, we'll be arrested and my personal favorite, "You can wait over there" pointing to a street light WAY across the street and it is across from where the main traffic flows by a heavy stream of cars. The buses are not going to stop there to open the doors and sign autographs, what does security think we're stupid?
Some eventually give up though and go home, not wanting to push their luck but the few who stay behind are not letting a security guared chase us off. It is nearly 1:30 in the morning now and the band FINALLY is beginning to come out. Much to our disappointment, we see Joe, Viv, Rick and Sav board the bus without coming over.
Phil however, comes out and after putting his things away, he comes trotting over to us with bare feet and starts signing our stuff. The fans are excited and I get my turn and I ask him to sign my shirt and he does and I shake his hand and tell him that I really enjoyed the show and I planned to catch them in Burlington. He smiles sexily and thanks me and tells me he's glad I enjoyed myself. He is one of the sweetest men I have met in a long time and even though Joe is my favorite, Phil is by far the most into the fan thing.
He quickly signs the others things and they go home happy. He says he has to go and goes back to the buses and gets on it. I decide that I want to meet Joe and I get in my car and follow the buses. I followed the second one and I should have followed the first but that didn't matter as I am driving, thinking I would be taken on a ten mile journey and instead, they go right around the corner to the Radisson hotel.
I am excited and I grab my sharpie and my camera and go inside. First face I see is Rick Allen. I am beyond excited, this was my first time meeting Def Leppard and the other guys are upstairs showering and changing. I was a bit disappointed cause I wanted to meet Joe but I am excited to meet Rick as well and after he's done talking to this fan, I go up to him and shake his hand and tell him it was an awesome show and that I thought Def Leppard was the best and he laughs, thanking me and I talked to him for a minute and then he had to go upstairs to join the rest of the Leps because he decided to do some fan things first.
I am thinking I won't get to meet Joe but a fan tells me that they will be back down so I sit down and chat with them for a few minutes, excited that I get a second chance to see him. Here I am, with my back to the elevators and I am talking and suddenly I hear Joe's name.
I turn around and he's RIGHT behind me. I am surprised, not to mentioned very excited. Joe Elliott the man is right next to me, less than 2 feet away and he's posing for a pic with fans and talking to them. His hair is damp from his recent shower and I was close enough that I could smell the soap he used, although I couldn't identify it now cause I was concentrating on him.
I didn't want to be rude so I waited and he poses for a few more pics and finally I get my opportunity. Let me backtrack a bit. Right before this, Sav and Viv come down and Sav makes a beeline for the bar they are going to have their after party at and I speak to him and say "Hi Sav, it's great to meet you, I loved the show." Sav shy, lowers his head and smiles ever so slightly and thanks me and keeps going.
Viv is not far behind but he too is elusive this night and he's ducking behind wife Jewel's as he heads for the bar. I say a Hi Viv, knowing he's not fooling anyone with trying to hide as if "You don't see me" hehe.
Shortly after that is when Joe shows up. After Joe finishes with the fans, I take the opportunity to go up to him and I say "Joe, it's so great to see you. I loved the show." This was all I could say. I froze BUT Joe smiles real big and takes my hand and says "It's great to see you too and glad you enjoyed the show" First thing through my mind is how soft his hands are.
First of all, it's not typical of a man to have such soft hands but Joe does and they make you just want to hang on. Anyway, as I finally get my courage up to ask for an autograph and a pic, he says he has to go and Mal whisks him away and he goes into the bar but Phil is lingering behind, talking to some fans who are friends of his too and I seize this opportunity and ask him for a pic, once he's done talking.
He gladly obliges, resting his hand on my shoulder and a fan takes a pic for us. Shortly after, Phil leaves too and Rick of course has already gone in to join the rest of them. Even though Sav and Viv didn't actually stop, I talked to them and felt it counted as meeting them. So, I met all of Def Leppard the second time ever, that I seen them in concert. It was a true Def Leppard experience.
I met Viv, Rick, Phil again 2 days Later in Burlington and this time I got Rick to sign my shirt and Viv also did that night. Joe made an appearance before the show and I missed him but since that first time, I have met Joe and the rest of the men of Def Leppard several times but still have to get my pic with Joe and Sav. I have all their autographs and my pic with everyone but Joe and Sav and met Sav a few more times and have his sig on a set list and my CD cover, signed that night by everyone.
Here I am a journalist and I still got nervous talking to Joe but then that was before I was actually serious about it and since then, it has become easier to talk to him. Still, the opportunity for a pic has been there but something always interferes but as Joe says There will be a next time. With any luck, this pic will be in an interview with him. This is my story and I have to say to those who haven't met them, take this opportunity now because Def Leppard is one of the few bands that are still very approachable and still very much care about the fans, besides Bon Jovi.
They all do I'm sure but Def Leppard is one of the few that don't have guards keeping fans at bay. Even through their share of stalkers, typical of any celebrity, they still remain available to their fans so take the opportunity and meet them, it is an experience of a lifetime.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
30 Years ago, Def Leppard was born
Thirty years ago, a little known band from the UK was born, five boys from the UK with one thought in mind, destination for stardom. We all know the story, Joe had a dream to be in an imaginary band called Deaf Leopard and met Pete Willis one day after missing his bus and they told Joe they were looking for a singer and he auditioned and that's where he met Sav and Tony and Pete of course and at the time, the band called Atomic Mass, co founded by Rick Savage and Tony Kenning and Pete Willis which shortly after, Joe changed to Def Leppard.
Steve Clark joined in January and the band rehearsed non stop between February and July until Steve threatened to leave if they didn't play a gig and they played their first gig at school dance at Westfield school in Sheffield and a teacher paid them out of his own pocket 5 pounds and this was to be only the beginning of their careers to fame and fortune. In 1982, Pete was let go due to his out of control drinking and was replaced by Phil Collen shortly after.
Steve Clark and Phil Collen quickly became close and not long after, became known as the terror twins. They were terror twins both on stage and off stage, both of them heavily into drinking and of course so was the rest of the band but Steve and Phil shared a bond that no other band members had ever seen, they were inseparable and were very much like brothers.
When they became Def Leppard, in January of 79, two years after their formation, they released their First album, the Def Leppard EP with only 3 tracks. Ride into the Sun, Getcha Rocks off and The Overture. This EP cost 600 pounds Sterling approximately $900 in US dollars.
One Year later, their first full album with 11 tracks was released and at first, it didn't take off and Def Leppard began to wonder what would happen but they kept their determination and stamina and went on their first tour. Even though the album wasn't taking off, they were taking the world by storm and in 1981 they released their second full album High and Dry. This album did a little better and by the second tour, people in the US and the UK were well aware of the boys from Sheffield and it wasn't until Pyromania their third album took off like a rocket and suddenly they found themselves in the midst of popularity.
Millions flocked to see Def Leppard from all over the US. The Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield was often a monument for their hometown to play and a sea of fans as far as the eye could see were there to rock with the boys from Sheffield who had become superstars.
Fame was their Mistress and the world their lover. They were Kings and their Reign knew no bounds as they shook the music world to its VERY CORE. By the fourth album Hysteria, their careers exploded and they just sealed themselves in history as being their most successful album ever, even to this day.
Def Leppard was in heavy demand in the US but still wasn't widely accepted in the UK, where they originally came from. They had a fan base from coast to coast and fans by the hundreds hung out by the buses in hopes of meeting their favorite rock star.
They were unaware but they had things in common with the King of Rock N Roll Elvis Presley. They had a guitar player named Steve Clark who joined them in January, the month Elvis was born and ALSO, the year Elvis Aaron Presley died at the age of 42.
They released the Def Leppard EP in January of 79, two years after Elvis' passing and two years after Steve Clark joined the now very real Def Leppard, a dream Joe made come true. July of 81, they release their album High and Dry, 4 years after their first public gig, of the same month.
The things they had in common with Elvis Presley didn't stop there however and tragically on January 8th, 1991, Steve Clark loses his battle with alcoholism and dies at the age of 31. Ironically, Elvis Presley's birthday.
Viv Campbell joined the band in 92 and was officially introduced at the Freddy Mercury AIDS awareness concert at Wembley Stadium. Fifteen years later, Def Leppard is still making history after 30 years of music and they continue on their quest for on going success as the downstage thrust tour is into its second week.
Although Steve Clarks passing is still ever present in his former band mates minds and he's always thought of, 16 years later, his legend lives on. Viv Campbell has said he's never been a replacement for Steve but likes to think of it as filling in for him and fifteen years after being asked to join Def Leppard, Viv Campbell has found a home.
As the summer tour picks up at their next concert in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, the fans from their early days still flock to the stadium to see the boys from Sheffield who 30 years later, STILL are the KINGS.
Steve Clark joined in January and the band rehearsed non stop between February and July until Steve threatened to leave if they didn't play a gig and they played their first gig at school dance at Westfield school in Sheffield and a teacher paid them out of his own pocket 5 pounds and this was to be only the beginning of their careers to fame and fortune. In 1982, Pete was let go due to his out of control drinking and was replaced by Phil Collen shortly after.
Steve Clark and Phil Collen quickly became close and not long after, became known as the terror twins. They were terror twins both on stage and off stage, both of them heavily into drinking and of course so was the rest of the band but Steve and Phil shared a bond that no other band members had ever seen, they were inseparable and were very much like brothers.
When they became Def Leppard, in January of 79, two years after their formation, they released their First album, the Def Leppard EP with only 3 tracks. Ride into the Sun, Getcha Rocks off and The Overture. This EP cost 600 pounds Sterling approximately $900 in US dollars.
One Year later, their first full album with 11 tracks was released and at first, it didn't take off and Def Leppard began to wonder what would happen but they kept their determination and stamina and went on their first tour. Even though the album wasn't taking off, they were taking the world by storm and in 1981 they released their second full album High and Dry. This album did a little better and by the second tour, people in the US and the UK were well aware of the boys from Sheffield and it wasn't until Pyromania their third album took off like a rocket and suddenly they found themselves in the midst of popularity.
Millions flocked to see Def Leppard from all over the US. The Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield was often a monument for their hometown to play and a sea of fans as far as the eye could see were there to rock with the boys from Sheffield who had become superstars.
Fame was their Mistress and the world their lover. They were Kings and their Reign knew no bounds as they shook the music world to its VERY CORE. By the fourth album Hysteria, their careers exploded and they just sealed themselves in history as being their most successful album ever, even to this day.
Def Leppard was in heavy demand in the US but still wasn't widely accepted in the UK, where they originally came from. They had a fan base from coast to coast and fans by the hundreds hung out by the buses in hopes of meeting their favorite rock star.
They were unaware but they had things in common with the King of Rock N Roll Elvis Presley. They had a guitar player named Steve Clark who joined them in January, the month Elvis was born and ALSO, the year Elvis Aaron Presley died at the age of 42.
They released the Def Leppard EP in January of 79, two years after Elvis' passing and two years after Steve Clark joined the now very real Def Leppard, a dream Joe made come true. July of 81, they release their album High and Dry, 4 years after their first public gig, of the same month.
The things they had in common with Elvis Presley didn't stop there however and tragically on January 8th, 1991, Steve Clark loses his battle with alcoholism and dies at the age of 31. Ironically, Elvis Presley's birthday.
Viv Campbell joined the band in 92 and was officially introduced at the Freddy Mercury AIDS awareness concert at Wembley Stadium. Fifteen years later, Def Leppard is still making history after 30 years of music and they continue on their quest for on going success as the downstage thrust tour is into its second week.
Although Steve Clarks passing is still ever present in his former band mates minds and he's always thought of, 16 years later, his legend lives on. Viv Campbell has said he's never been a replacement for Steve but likes to think of it as filling in for him and fifteen years after being asked to join Def Leppard, Viv Campbell has found a home.
As the summer tour picks up at their next concert in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, the fans from their early days still flock to the stadium to see the boys from Sheffield who 30 years later, STILL are the KINGS.
Week 2/Tonight the Moondance Jam
Def Leppard is entering their second week of touring and will be in Walker Minnesota tonight, appearing at the Moondance Jam. If you are lucky enough to be attending, the evening promises to be filled with lots of excitement and food and drink.
The Moon dance Jam is host to both Country and Rock acts and this summer is filled with lots of concerts, including Def Leppard, Loverboy, Tesla, Jackyl and Mountain Ash, all appearing tonight, same stage. Def Leppard will take the stage last and there won't be an opening support band for them tonight since the evening is so jam packed with concerts. They will be onstage late tonight but saving the best for last, fans won't be disappointed and will end the evening with the best in Rock N Roll. For ticket information, please visit www.defleppard.com or the moondance jam website at http://www.moondancejam.com/
Have fun tonight everyone and drive safe.
The Moon dance Jam is host to both Country and Rock acts and this summer is filled with lots of concerts, including Def Leppard, Loverboy, Tesla, Jackyl and Mountain Ash, all appearing tonight, same stage. Def Leppard will take the stage last and there won't be an opening support band for them tonight since the evening is so jam packed with concerts. They will be onstage late tonight but saving the best for last, fans won't be disappointed and will end the evening with the best in Rock N Roll. For ticket information, please visit www.defleppard.com or the moondance jam website at http://www.moondancejam.com/
Have fun tonight everyone and drive safe.
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