Def Leppard News - 31 Years Ago DEF LEPPARD End HYSTERIA Tour/STEVE CLARK's Last Show

Sunday, 27th October 2019

31 Years Ago DEF LEPPARD End HYSTERIA Tour/STEVE CLARK's Last Show

Steve Clark 1988

Def Leppard ended their 14 month Hysteria world tour in Tacoma, WA, USA on this day in 1988.

The 227th show took place at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, WA, USA.

The biggest indoor audience of the tour (26,962 fans attended) with tickets costing $18.50 and the total gross at $494,579. Their 1987 show at the same venue grossed $196,718 and was attended by 11,499 fans.

The longest tour in the band's career at that point had started in Dublin, Ireland on 27th August 1987.

This show turned out to be the last full live concert with Steve Clark as a member of the band.

He eventually died in January 1991 after his long battle with alcoholism came to a sad end whilst on a six month leave of absence from the making of the 'Adrenalize' album.

Steve continued to perform and record with the band through late 1988 and into 1990. His final recorded guitar solo was later released on the demo recording of 'When Love & Hate Collide' in 1995. Included as a bonus track on the UK CD single for the the band's biggest UK hit.

Steve appeared in the promo video for 'Rocket', filmed one month after the tour ended. He then performed with the band on various UK/European TV shows. Most of these happened in January/February 1989 including the Brit Awards at London's Royal Albert Hall and his last ever UK performance on Top Of The Pops three days later.

His last ever appearance on a stage was in September 1989 at the MTV awards.

All performances after the Hysteria tour were done using playback apart from this one where Joe's vocals were live. The music was a new recording of the song that was eventually scrapped and re-recorded in 1991 as the band finished off the 'Adrenalize' album.

The band were supported by L.A. Guns during this final leg of the tour who featured Phil's ex-Girl band mate Phil Lewis on lead vocals.