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Def Leppard

Musical Group
Forhard rock and 80s rock listeners, plus anyone exploring nwobhm-adjacent bands and pop-metal/aor production styles.
13 Reviews 17 Definitions 24 Charts
Hard Rock AOR (Album-Oriented Rock) Heavy Metal

The Profile

Def Leppard are an English hard rock band formed in Sheffield in 1976 (initially as Atomic Mass). Widely associated with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal’s early era, they later became major arena-rock stars via meticulously produced, chorus-heavy records such as Pyromania (1983) and Hysteria (1987).

Formed in Sheffield, England. Core classic-era members referenced in the reviews include Joe Elliott (vocals), Rick Savage (bass), Rick Allen (drums), Steve Clark (guitar; died 1991), Phil Collen (guitar), and Vivian Campbell (guitar; mentioned in later-era context). Rick Allen lost an arm in a 1984 car accident and continued drumming with a custom kit; Steve Clark died in 1991. The band name is a wordplay on “deaf leopard.”

Across these reviews, Def Leppard are framed as Sheffield-bred hard rock hitmakers who helped bridge NWOBHM punch with radio-ready melody. Pyromania is repeatedly treated as a peak: hooky, energetic, and packed with choruses. Hysteria is described as the big commercial/compositional turning point, with more refined arrangements and signature vocal layering. Several reviewers stress the band’s resilience through Rick Allen’s arm loss (1984) and Steve Clark’s death (1991), and debate studio greatness vs live limitations.

Notable Quotes

❝ “a historic monument of ’80s music.”
❝ “Def Leppard were the arena band par excellence in the 80s”
❝ “the album that is still considered their greatest success (both commercially and compositionally), “Hysteria.””
❝ “the legendary Rick Allen on drums, and the ever-present Rick Savage on bass.”
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