Friday, 6th December 2019
Prev  |  Next

36 Years Ago DEF LEPPARD Tape TOO LATE FOR LOVE For UK TV (Rare Photos)

Def Leppard 1983. Screenshot

Def Leppard filmed a TV performance of Too Late For Love in London, England on 6th December 1983 and video footage/rare photos are available.

The taping took place the day after their UK tour had ended at Hammersmith Odeon.

The band filmed performances including 'Too Late For Love' for the show Supersonic at the South Bank Television Centre (now The London Studios).

This was a Christmas Special edition of the show broadcast for Channel 4. The original show had launched in 1975 and ran for two seasons on ITV and was created and directed by Mike Mansfield.

Def Leppard's performed their latest single and also taped 'Photograph' which was intended to be be broadcast on another show in February to coincide with it's UK re-release.

This edition was never shown and there's evidence that 'Too Late For Love', like the 1980 TOTP performance, was not actually included on the Christmas broadcast. The 60 minute special aired on 27th December 1983.

View the listing found for this show online below. Def Leppard are not included and this might explain why the footage was never seen until after it was released on 'Historia' in July 1988. However the between video stories on the video say that it was broadcast.

The likely reason for its omission (if it did not air) would be that the single did not reach the Top 40 chart and was not considered a "hit".

The band were introduced on stage by Elton John who was also pictured backstage with the band.

Joe has since referenced this first meeting with Elton John and that the band were all hungover from the previous night when they attended and end of tour party at Chelsea Football ground.

Others shown include Status Quo, Shakin' Stevens, Bonnie Tyler and Meatloaf. The Getty site lists an incorrect date of 12th December 1984 on the photo captions.

View the photos below and the video footage on YouTube.

Def Leppard - Tour Diary December 1983

"The day after London, we filmed our first ever English TV show, "Supersonic." Our American, Canadian, and French fans have, of course, seen us on TV before, but never had we been on an English show."

"We performed "Too Late For Love" and "Photograph" (which will be shown in February) and "Too Late" was introduced by none other than Elton John!."

"Elton is one of the many we have met this year, who normally isn't into "Heavy Metal" but loves Def Leppard. Later on, at a post show gathering, we met John Cougar Mellencamp who agreed with Elton. I guess 7 million Pyromaniacs can't all be wrong."

Def Leppard - Historia Video Quote July 1988

"Our record company had been trying desperately to break the band in England throughout 1983. While we had sold over 6 million records in the USA, we had no luck there. No one stopped trying and at the end of 1983 we got our first British TV show which would actually be aired."

"The show was called Supersonic and it was to be a Christmas special with Meatloaf, Bonnie Tyler, Status Quo, Elton John and Def Leppard. After much hanging out and champagne with Elton and Meatloaf, we filmed 'Too Late'. Thank heavens we were only lip-synching!."

Supersonic Christmas Show Setlist - Tuesday 27th December 1983 (4-5pm)

  • 01 - Modern Romance - Good Friday
  • 02 - John Cougar Mellencamp - Tumblin' Down
  • 03 - Soft Cell - Down In The Subway
  • 04 - Limahl - Only For Love
  • 05 - Status Quo - Magarita Time
  • 06 - Shakin' Stevens & Bonnie Tyler - A Rockin' Good Way
  • 07 - Marilyn - Calling Your Name
  • 08 - Meatloaf - All Revved Up
  • 09 - Elton John - Crystal
  • 10 - Adam Ant - Strip
  • 00 - Def Leppard - Too Late For Love - (Position Not listed)
  • 00 - Def Leppard - Photograph - (Taped but never broadcast/released)
  • Taped - 6th December 1983

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images


Watch 'TLFL' and all Pyromania era videos on this YouTube Playlist including a video of the full show.

Def Leppard Fan Videos.

Fan photos and reviews from any past tour can be submitted - Here


Related News - 8 Years Ago DEF LEPPARD's MIRRORBALL Tour In BIRMINGHAM (Photos)

Related News - 4 Years Ago DEF LEPPARD Start UK/Irish Tour In DUBLIN (Videos/Photos)

Related News - 23 Years Ago DEF LEPPARD's Slang Tour In JOHANNESBURG (Video/Diary)

Related News - 13 Years Ago JOE ELLIOTT/PHIL COLLEN At BILLBOARD Awards (Video/Photos)

Related News - DEF LEPPARD VH1 Big In '05 Awards (Red Carpet Photos)

Related News - 14 Years Ago DEF LEPPARD At VH1 Big In '05 Awards (Video/Photos)


share this story:





get def leppard news

Stay in touch with the latest updates.


explore def leppard tour history
All News
Tour News
Album News
All Tours