[ Def Leppard UK - Def Leppard Early Tours 1978-1979 Main ]
:: Tour Dates |
| Def Leppard Early Tours - 1978-1979 |
|---|
Band Line-Up 2 - Joe Elliott, Rick Savage, Steve Clark, Pete Willis, Rick Allen.
Band Line-Up 1 - Joe Elliott, Rick Savage, Steve Clark, Pete Willis, Tony Kenning.
Shows Listed - 68. Live Recordings - 5.
First Show - Sheffield England 18th July 1978.
Last Show - Leicester England 9th November 1979.
"The Code Of The Cosmic Warrior"
"All Cosmic Warriors must be cool unto the world and have long, curly hair, beard and tash (no other fuzz required)...Things that give Warriors a buzz and make life worth living are gangsters, cheese pie, Winston snouts, Ponty Mython, black stockings, being crazy, all things deep and purple, Rocky's horror, Vodka Martinis (as many as poshible-dribble), Rock and Tamala Motown, saxophones, old movies, keyboards, Dudes everywhere, laying down by still waters and, of course, having fun 99.9 percent of the time.
This then is the life-style of the Cosmic Warrior. It's life and life only...Beware of Imitations..."
[written by Joe's friend Andy Smith: pinned to the side of Lep's first tour bus in 1978 © Zomba Books 1987.]
"Sheffield Steel"
Soon after forming the band the early line-up of Rick Savage, Pete Willis, Joe Elliott, Steve Clark and Tony Kenning found a rehearsal space located in the Bramall Lane area of Sheffield on John Street. At the time known as the 'Spoon Factory' due to the building housing various manufacturing companies making 'spoons' amongst other things during Sheffield's Industrial heyday. For almost 2 years the young group would rehearse and record demos in the building and go on to play their very first concert - an open rehearsal to friends and family during December 1977. By July 1978 the band would begin their touring career with a debut public performance on 18th July at Westfield School in the Mosborough district. Following 8 shows with original drummer Tony Kenning and after recording the debut E.P. with Frank Noon as a guest, they recruited 15 year old Rick 'thundergod' Allen and the first solid band line-up was complete.
Touring extensively all around England the band's local friends became known as 'rent-a-crowd'. Always turning up at gigs in numbers to boost attendance and help out the band as drivers/roadies. Notable early shows saw the band included on the same line-up as Human League and even The Nolans!.
"World Beyond Yorkshire"
Having covered most of England by August of 1979 the band landed a recording contract with Phonogram Records and began prominent UK support tours with Sammy Hagar and then AC/DC. This catapulted them into the UK rock scene as a hip young band of teenagers. Also alienating them from the rest of the NWOBHM - older bands who'd played the live circuit for years, jealous of the young bands sudden success. An attitude that would in 1980 spread to the UK press. Rick Allen celebrated his 16th birthday whilst the band supported AC/DC at the legendary Hammersmith Odeon on Nov 1st 1979. The Sep 16th show at the same venue with Sammy Hagar would be the band's first show in London. An unusual circumstance for a band at the time, many of whom had to travel to the capital to get noticed and signed. Leppard refused to do this and luckily had the record industry travel North to pursue them. By Nov 1979 the band's early tours were over and they were ready to begin recording their debut album.
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