Wednesday, 30th May 2018
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PHIL COLLEN To Rejoin DEF LEPPARD Tour In CINCINNATI, OH Tonight

Def Leppard 2018. By Kyle Conners

Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen will rejoin the 2018 tour later tonight in Cincinnati, OH after missing three shows.

Phil left the tour prior to the 25th May show at HersheyPark Stadium.

Joe announced to the crowd that Phil had to leave the tour and return to California for a "family emergency".

Steve Brown of Trixter was given just 24 hours notice to stand in for Phil and played the full show. He also played the last two shows in Buffalo, NY on 26th May and Cleveland, OH on 28th May.

A fan named Kyle Conners met Phil earlier today in Cincinnati and he told him he will be performing with the band again tonight at the U.S. Bank Arena show.

Quote - "look who we just ran into!!! He was so awesome!! He said he’s playing tonight!!" - view the photo below.

The photo was taken in Fountain Square a couple of blocks away from the U.S Bank Arena.

Read Joe's announcement speech again below and the official band statement. Plus the comments from his weekly Planet Rock show where he mentioned Phil would be back 'pretty soon'.


Visit the Tour News section. For more news on future tour plans.

The Joe Elliott Show - 26th May 2018 Quotes

Show intro

"Evening all and welcome once again to the Joe Elliott show right here on the wonderful Planet Rock. Which this week comes to you from Upstate New York. Yes, we are in Buffalo. However Phil Collen is not and neither was he in Hershey, Pennsylvania last night because he's had to rush home to California for a family emergency. Proving that the road to rock and roll stardom is often littered with obstacles. Something that Def Leppard knows all about. However, and as Queen so valiantly put it, the show must go on. So with Phil's blessing we have once again recruited our very good friend Mr. Steve Brown from Trixter who ironically also stood in for Vivian Campbell about four years or so ago."

Show Outro

"And that my friends is about it for this week on what I would call a most reflective of shows. Happy to have been with you for the sixty minutes as always. Sad that Phil Collen is not currently with the band, but I do know that he will be back pretty soon. And I will make sure that all you Def Leppard fans out there know through our website and through Planet Rock's website when that exactly is."

Def Leppard 2018. Screenshot

Joe Elliott - Phil Collen Announcement

"Good evening Hershey. I am Joe Elliott. Welcome to what should be a great night. I have an announcement to make. And I'd like you to spread the word as people come in. But very sadly Phil Collen cannot be with us this evening."

"He has a family emergency back in California. So we are very blessed that our very good friend Steve Brown who some of you may remember stood in for Vivian about four years ago when Vivian couldn't make a couple of shows, has learned the bits very, very rapidly and with Phil's blessing will join us on stage tonight. And for the immediate future."

"So just be prepared OK. We're here for ya and we're glad that you're here for us thank you. See you in 30 minutes."


Official Band Statement

"Our brother and bandmate Phil has unexpectedly returned home for a family emergency. With Phil’s blessing our friend, Steve Brown, will be joining us on stage until Phil is able to return. On with the show!"


Related News - JOE ELLIOTT Says PHIL COLLEN To Rejoin DEF LEPPARD Soon (Hershey Video)

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Related News - JOE ELLIOTT On DEF LEPPARD's 2018 Stage/Spotify Singles Session

Related News - PHIL COLLEN Says DEF LEPPARD's Atlanta Stadium Show Will Be Amazing

Related News - PHIL COLLEN Really Looking Forward To DEF LEPPARD/JOURNEY Tour

Related News - JOE ELLIOTT Says DEF LEPPARD Play Each Show As If It's Their Last

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Phil Collen - Guitar
Phil Collen - Guitar
Phil Collen - Guitar
Phil Collen - Guitar