27 Years Ago DEF LEPPARD Joined By IAN HUNTER On SLANG Tour In New York (Audio)

Wednesday, 19th July 2023

Ian Hunter

Def Leppard played a show in Middletown, NY on 19th July 1996 on the Slang tour and were joined onstage by Ian Hunter from Mott The Hoople.

The show took place at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Middletown, NY during the Slang tour.

Ian joined the band for the first time to sing lead vocals on the Mott classic 'All the Young Dudes'.

The recording was later mixed by Joe and included on Ian's compilation album 'Once Bitten Twice Shy' in May 2000 (not long before his second appearance with the band singing the same song).

It is now available to stream after being included on Def Leppard's June 2021 'Collection Volume Three' box set.

Listen to the song below.

The back cover features a quote from Joe - "Ian is the best. Nice guy, good attitude, great image, brilliant songwriter. I'd travel the world to see him and have done. Love ya, Joe Elliott.".

The location of the performance was not listed on the album but Ian confirmed it via my question to the Horse's Mouth section of his website on 16th June 2005.

Darren: 'Where did you sing 'Dudes' with Def Leppard in 1996?' - "I think it was in Orange County upstate New York. Jones Beach was around 2000 (ish)."

Joe interviewed Ian for a US TV special in July 2016 which was then broadcast in November and was uploaded to YouTube in mid January 2017 (since removed).

Ian's most recent appearance on stage with Def Leppard was at the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in March 2019 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.

Joe also performed at Ian's 80th birthday show on 3rd June 2019 at the Winery in New York, NY.

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

Visit the Album News section for more news on new music (based on band member quotes).

Buy 'Ian Hunter Once Bitten Twice Shy' Online