[ Def Leppard UK - Band Line-Up 1977-2007 ]
| Current Line Up - Apr 1992 to Present |
|---|
[ Expand Pic ]
Rick Allen - Drums.
Vivian Campbell - Guitars.
Phil Collen - Guitars.
Joe Elliott - Vocals.
Rick Savage - Bass.
After completing the 'Adrenalize' album as a 4-piece as a tribute to Steve the band needed a second guitarist to play live. Vivian was chosen and joined the band full time. He had left the band Shadow King in late 1991 and was about to start a solo album when he was phoned by Joe and went to LA to audition. Viv was up for the job with a young unknown 18 year old from Birmingham (UK) called Huwey Lucas Others considered included Adrian Smith, Gerry Laffy, John Sykes, Andy Taylor though most did not audition.
Line Up 6 - Jan 9th 1991 - Mar 1992.
[ Expand Pic ]
Rick Allen - Drums.
Phil Collen - Guitars.
Joe Elliott - Vocals.
Rick Savage - Bass.
Following Steve's death (Jan 8th 1991) the line up that completed the 'Adrenalize' album. As a 4-piece the band filmed the 'Let's Get Rocked' video in LA before performing it on Top Of The Pops in the UK and then started auditions to find a new second guitarist.
Line Up 5 - July 12th 1982 - Jan 8th 1991.
[ Expand Pic ]
Rick Allen - Drums.
Steve Clark RIP - Guitars.
Phil Collen - Guitars.
Joe Elliott - Vocals.
Rick Savage - Bass.
Phil joined the band in July 1982 following the firing of Pete Willis. He went into the studio to be checked out by Mutt Lange and played the solo for 'Stagefright'. The band and Mutt were so impressed he stayed and has been with the band ever since. Phil had left the band Girl earlier that summer. This line up is rightly considered to be the definitive of the band's history and was also their most successful period, due in no small part to Phil's addition.
Line Up 4 - Nov 27th 1978 - July 11th 1982.
[ Expand Pic ]
Rick Allen - Drums.
Steve Clark - Guitars.
Joe Elliott - Vocals.
Rick Savage - Bass.
Pete Willis - Guitars.
Rick Allen had recently turned 15 and played in local pub bands for the past few years. He responded to a Sheffield newspaper article titled: "Leopard Loses Skins". At his audition he played Thin Lizzy's 'Emerald' and dazzled the band with his skills. Not even losing his arm later in 1984 could stop him from being THE drummer in Def Leppard. Rick returned to live action in mid 1986 and continues to play a semi electronic/acoustic drum kit using his unique drumming style.
Line Up 3 - Nov 20th 1978 - Nov 26th 1978.
Frank Noon - Drums.
Steve Clark - Guitars.
Joe Elliott - Vocals.
Rick Savage - Bass.
Pete Willis - Guitars.
After firing Tony Kenning the band needed a new drummer and they borrowed Frank Noon from The Next Band. This band had inspired Lep to record their own E.P. having done so themselves at the same studio in Hull. Frank played on the 3 songs before going back to his own band (turning down Joe's invite to join Lep). He would later take photos of Lep on tour in the UK in 2003.
Line Up 2 - Jan 29th 1978 - Nov 18th 1978.
Tony Kenning - Drums.
Steve Clark - Guitars.
Joe Elliott - Vocals.
Rick Savage - Bass.
Pete Willis - Guitars.
Following the debut line up's small show in the Spoon Factory to six friends in late 1977 they decided they wanted a second guitarist to emulate Thin Lizzy's style and sound. Pete Willis met Steve in Stannington College's library. He auditioned for the band at their rehearsal space and became that second guitar player. He would go on to influence their style and sound in the early years with his master riffs and skilled songwriting.
Line Up 1 - Nov 1977 - Jan 28th 1978.
Joe Elliott - Vocals.
Tony Kenning - Drums.
Rick Savage - Bass.
Pete Willis - Guitars.
The first official line up of Def Leppard. Before recruiting a second guitarist they played to six friends during a rehearsal in late 1977 at the legendary 'Spoon Factory' building. The band would only last as a 4-piece for around 3 months before becoming the 5-piece band that they remain today. Drummer Tony Kenning would be the member to suggest changing the name from Deaf Leopard to Def Leppard after a few months.
Pre Lep - Atomic Mass 1977.
Tony 'Rueben' Kenning - Drums (original member).
Nicholas Mackley - Vocals (original member).
Rick Savage - Guitars/Bass (original member).
Pete Willis - Guitars (original member).
Paul Hampshire - Bass (first bass player).
Andy Nicholas - Bass (replaced Paul H).
Paul Holland - Vocals (replaced Nicholas M).
Joe Elliott - Vocals (replaced Paul Holland).
The last line up of this band before Joe replaced Paul Holland was Tony, Pete and Sav. After the rest had left Sav agreed to switch to bass. These three along with Joe would make the first 4-man line up of Def Leppard - or Deaf Leopard as they were known until sometime in 1978. At some point before Joe joined the band had played a gig in the Youth Club of Tapton School. Joe Elliott had attended this gig.