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Def Leppard Tour History Fan Archive.
24 Years Ago Steve Clark's Funeral Took Place In Sheffield

Saturday, 17th January 2015





Steve Clark Gravesite 2015.
Pic by Raymond

Def Leppard guitarist Steve Clark was laid to rest 24 years ago today in Sheffield, England after his sad death on 8th January 1991.

Steve's funeral took place at Wisewood Cemetery in Loxely Valley on Thursday 17th Jnauary 1991. The cemetery is located in the west of Sheffield not far from where he grew up and where the band played some early pub gigs.

Joe made a rare comment about the funeral in an April 1992 interview just after the 'Adrenalize' album was released. The band stopped taking questions about Steve's death once the main world tour began so this was perhaps one of the very few times he made any comment about this day.

This was found in some old clippings/cuttings and shared here on the 24th anniversary.

The links below to last weeks anniversary updates about Steve's death include a photo taken of the grave site on 8th January by Raymond. A local fan who lives in the area.

Steve Clark.
Steve Clark 1960-1991

Steve Clark Funeral Story - By Joe Elliott In April 1992

So how did he react to the news of Steve's death when it finally came?

"Strangely enough, when I first found out I immediately put on my diplomatic hat 'cos I knew I'd have to talk to radio stations, music papers, issue a press release and all that. I didn't really start to mourn until the funeral itself. I didn't start twitching and go weird until I saw the coffin, and then I got to the church and his mum burst out crying as soon as she saw me, saying she couldn't believe he was gone, and this was a while after he died because they'd kept the body for an autopsy."

"I bit my lip all the way through the church service," he recalls. "but then when I looked down into the actual grave I couldn't deal with it... it cracked me up. We were all standing there when Sav turned and said 'Has anybody got a plectrum?'. y'know, just to throw into the grave and say 'there you go' and not one of us had a fuckin' pick between us. We've normally got a pocket full of the bastards but right when we wanted one...nothing."

"That actually lightened things up a bit - I don't mean we were laughing or anything - and it was 'Ah well, typical bloody Def Leppard... ironic to the end'."

Steve Clark Funeral - Band Statement January 1991

"Firstly there was a private family funeral which took place on Thursday 17th January in Sheffield. This was attended by Steve's family, the Band and immediate friends only. It was fittingly a very cold dismal day, sleeting and snowing some of the time. It was a very touching and emotional service. A very caring and sensitive tribute to a great man."

Steve Clark - 2015 Anniversary Updates






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