Def Leppard UK.

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Def Leppard On Through The Night World Tour 1980. :: Tour Dates
Def Leppard On Through The Night World Tour - 1980

Band Line-Up - Joe Elliott, Rick Savage, Rick Allen, Steve Clark, Pete Willis.

Shows Listed - 133. Live Recordings - 7.

First Show - Aberdeen Scotland 19th January 1980. Scotland.

Last Show - Retford England 13th December 1980. England.


"Look out for the Rock Brigade"

Following on from the successful tours with Sammy Hagar and AC/DC in late 1979 it was time for the band to go out on their own. Starting in January 1980 the band headed out on a major 2-month Club tour supported by NWOBHM band Witchfynde. Their adventures began in Aberdeen also taking in their first headline shows at the legendary Marquee Club in London before ending in late March.
A mammoth 21-dates then followed on the band's first ever headline UK tour with fellow English rockers Magnum in support plus many local bands. A sold-out hometown gig helped Joe to realise his dream of headlining Sheffield City Hall in 1980.

"Hello America"

After playing virtually all of the UK the band then headed out over the 'pond', the band went to the USA and stayed for 2 1/2 months supporting childhood heroes such as Pat Travers, Judas Priest, Scorpions/Ted Nugent and AC/DC. The USA's love affair with Def Leppard had begun. August 1st 1980 saw the band make their debut in New York City on Joe's 21st birthday supporting AC/DC with new vocalist Brian Johnson during their 'Back In Black' tour. The band would then return home to play the Reading Festival and experience a small backlash courtesy of the UK rock 'media'. The irony of this being the band played many more shows in the UK in 1980 than they did in the US. Future Leppard and then Girl guitarist Phil Collen also played at Reading. Leppard then went on to make their debut on mainland Europe playing dates in 4 countries including the first of many French shows in support of the Scorpions.

"This Ship Sails Tonight"

Against Steve's wishes and after the band had been resigned to waiting over 6 months for Mutt Lange to produce the second album the band would end the year playing a seven-date UK Club Tour. An early version of Lep classic "Too Late For Love" surfaces at these shows titled "This Ship Sails Tonight". Phil Collen attended one show along with Girl bandmate Gerry Laffy.


Please contribute [ Fan Reviews/Pics ] for any dates attended. Any information for this Def Leppard tour would be greatly appreciated.



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