Questions
Where and when did Def Leppard form?
Def Leppard formed in Sheffield, England in 1976. The band was originally called Atomic Mass before settling on its now-famous name.
Where does the name Def Leppard come from?
Singer Joe Elliott came up with the idea of "Deaf Leopard" while designing band posters in an art class. Drummer Tony Kenning suggested tweaking the spelling so the name looked less like a punk band’s.
Who are the members of Def Leppard?
The lineup is Joe Elliott (lead vocals), Rick Savage (bass), Rick Allen (drums), Phil Collen (guitar), and Vivian Campbell (guitar). Elliott and Savage have been in the band since 1976.
What happened to drummer Rick Allen’s arm?
On December 31, 1984, Rick Allen lost his left arm in a car accident on the A57 road near Sheffield. He learned to drum with a custom electronic kit that used his feet and returned to performing by 1986.
How successful was the album Pyromania?
Released in 1983, Pyromania reached No. 2 on the US charts and was certified Diamond, meaning more than 10 million copies sold in the US.
Just how big was the album Hysteria?
The 1987 album Hysteria sold over 15 million copies worldwide and stands as one of the best-selling albums ever.
How many records has Def Leppard sold?
The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide over its career.
Who produced their biggest albums?
Producer Mutt Lange helped define their melodic hard rock sound starting with High ’n’ Dry in 1981, then produced both Pyromania and Hysteria. He reportedly initially declined the Hysteria sessions due to exhaustion before returning.
What happened to guitarist Steve Clark?
Steve Clark died on January 8, 1991, from a mix of prescription drugs and alcohol. The band carried on as a four-piece to record Adrenalize in 1992, with Phil Collen covering Clark’s intended guitar parts.
Is it true they re-recorded their own hits?
Yes. The band re-recorded several hits and the entire Hysteria album to avoid future royalties going to their record label, though only "Rock of Ages," "Pour Some Sugar on Me," and "Hysteria" have been officially released.
Did Def Leppard make Rock and Roll Hall of Fame history?
They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019, with Brian May performing at the ceremony. They also won the Fan Vote with 547,647 votes, beating 14 other nominees by more than 119,000 votes.
Are they in rare company for album certifications?
Yes. They are one of only five rock bands with two Diamond-certified original studio albums, alongside the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Van Halen.
When did they finally headline Wembley Stadium?
During the 2022 Stadium Tour with Motley Crue, Def Leppard headlined Wembley Stadium in London for the first time in their history.
Are Def Leppard still making new music?
Yes. In June 2024 they released "Just Like 73" featuring Tom Morello on guitar, and on January 22, 2026 they released "Rejoice," the lead single from their 13th studio album set for early 2027.
