Def Leppard News - 27 Years Ago DEF LEPPARD Released The RETRO-ACTIVE Compilation Album

Sunday, 4th October 2020

27 Years Ago DEF LEPPARD Released The RETRO-ACTIVE Compilation Album

Retro-Active 1993

Def Leppard released their compilation album Retro-Active 27 years ago on this day in 1993.

The album was released on this day in the UK and around the world. And one day later in the USA and Canada. It became their third consecutive Top Ten album in the UK reaching Number 6.

The first ever compilation album or collection released by the band. It featured B Sides and unreleased tracks dating from 1984 to 1992.

The band first had the idea for an album featuring B Sides and new songs when touring the Hysteria album in 1987/1988. They had aimed to get the album released in the Summer of 1989 but plans were later shelved.

The idea resurfaced in December 1992 (when Joe also came up with the album title) and the project was put together in just six months. Recordings took place backstage on the May 1993 European tour. They also recorded at Joe's Garage home studios in Dublin before and after the Don Valley Stadium show. The project was then finished off by August of 1993 and ready for release by October.

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