[ Def Leppard UK - Past News 27: May 2007 ]
[May 30th] - Joe In BBC Documentary
Def Leppard will feature in the new BBC rock documentary series called "Seven Ages Of Rock".
Joe Elliott was interviewed for the show and is featured in episode 4 which deals with the rise of Heavy Metal. This one hour long episode is first shown on BBC2 on Sat June 9th @ 9:10pm (repeated BBC1 June 10th @ 11:30pm). Follow the link below for more details, transcript, a pic gallery and a short video clip. Plus links to the BBC show page which features a longer 3:58min video clip. In it Joe (& others) talk about the rise of Grunge and it's effect on rock bands of the time including Def Leppard. (Joe/Lep did not feature in the show)
[ Show Page/Links ] - Here
[May 24th] - Nations Favourite Music City/Vote
On May 26th VH1 in the UK have a show called The Nation's Favourite Music City, profiling some of the UK's major cities including London, Dublin, Glasgow, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and (no, not Uncasville...) Sheffield, home of Def Leppard. Which will be showcased by members of Human League.
The show page also has a voting form - "Vote for Greatest Hits of the Nations Favourite Cities!". Where you can vote for your favourite greatest hit from each city and the Sheffield options include "PSSOM". One of 12 choices from there.
And after voting this message shows up: "Look out for the Nations Favourite City on VH1 where we reveal your top tracks as picked by you the viewer!". There might also be a brief mention of Lep during the Sheffield segment.
(There was but Sheffield was 7th with London winning.)
[ More Info ] - VH1 News 1 News 2 Def TV Show Page
[May 20th] - Phil With Souljourners/New Song
As if to prove Lep are back to a more rocking sound again Phil has contributed some 'shredding' guitar work to the forthcoming album by a young band called Souljourners.
They are a 4-piece progressive metal band from Temecula, California. Phil recorded his guitar parts with them very recently and is pictured here with guitarist Michael Couts in late 2006. The band also feature Scoop (David Brockenborough): bass, Paul Ellingson: keyboards & drummer Chandler Taylor. They were recently voted Best Live Band 2007 and Best Classic Rock act at the 2007 Inland Empire Music Awards.
Quote 1 - "Phil heard the song "Crazy Times" and came in and did a session with Mike (2 amazing gtr players on that song now!) and may I mention Phil is seriously the nicest person EVER! We were thrilled to have him."
Quote 2 - "12th Jan 2007: We just recorded with Phil Collen of Def Leppard. He is shredding with Michael Couts on the song "Crazy Times" which is to be released on Souljourners new album "Mind Control" sometime in early 2007."
As well as the above band quotes they offer an insight into the song:
"Crazy Times guitar solo order ::Opening Guitar solo: Phil Collen
at 4:30 the duel begins - Solo Order:
Michael Couts, Phil Collen, Michael Couts, Harmony, Phil Collen, Michael Couts
Michael Couts, Phil Collen, Paul Ellingson Harmonies."
Listen to this excellent soloing via the link below to Phil's Discography section. The song is a rough version lasting 7:33mins.
(Photo by Souljourners/Loren Scott Photography © 2006.)
[ More Info/Audio Link ] - Here
[May 18th] - Blades Of Glory Trailer
You may have heard about the movie "Blades Of Glory" starring Will Ferrell which features 'Pour Some Sugar On Me'. Sascha from Germany has provided the link to a slightly different trailer you may not have viewed before, 'Die Eisprinzen' (The Ice Prince):
[ View Trailer ] - Here Official Movie Site
[May 17th] - Steve Clark's Guitar Advice
In a 1994 interview with Black Sabbath for the magazine, 'Guitar For The Practicing Musician', editor John Stix started out with a quote from Steve Clark. Taken from a past interview with him.Interview Quote:
"Def Leppard's Steve Clark once said something to me that to this day has helped me as both a player and an educator. In talking about the development of one's style, he suggested,
"Rather than copy the fashionable hero of the moment, find out where his influences come from and start from there. Then put in your own ideas and bring it up to today's standards."
[May 16th] - Pic Gallery: Sheffield 2006/Sav UJ Bass
Bob Rose of Eyes Open Photography has posted 5 high quailty pics from last years show in Sheffield. There may be no Sheffield date planned this year but you can view 5 pics from last years gig: individual shots of each band member (excluding Sav).
[ View Gallery ] - Here Sheffield 2006
And just so Sav doesn't feel left out here's a link to his new page on the Washburn Guitars website. The site features a large picture of his custom Union Jack finish XB925 bass:
[ Rick Savage ] - @ Washburn
[May 15th] - Dear
Some of you may remember (if you haven't mentally blocked it out) a certain video from a few years back by a band called Townsend.
After not paying much attention to the video at the time (pre-broadband, slow-downloading days) I stumbled on this clip again, and much to my utter horror it now plays well. Watch and judge for yourself, all you can say in it's defence is they added some cheerleaders halfway through. Spot the young tattooed Ricky Gervais look-a-like on the sofa. Apparently the choreographer from this video was later shot...
[ Watch Video ] - Here
[May 13/14th] - Lucy/Photograph Videos +
Following on from last September's discovery of the early Phil Collen singles from Lucy, I've now added a video featuring the A-Side of the very first
professional recording made by Phil whilst in his late teens. Lucy's debut 7" "Really Got Me Goin'".
Watch/listen and enjoy this recording featuring some familiar fast guitar playing - with some funny pics thrown in.
Also added to the YEAH! tour video page is a fixed version of 'Photograph' from Sheffield. The original video sent by Dave has been re-done with some high quality audio added.
[ Watch Video ] - Here YEAH! Videos
The Ellen DeGeneres show site has added the Oct 2006 'PSSOM' performance video :: Here
Steven has shared two links to YEAH! tour videos he filmed in Orlando & Hollywood :: Here
[May 12th] - Vivian @ The Football
Today Vivian will be appearing at a charity football event in Hidden Valley, California. He is taking part in one of three games at an International Soccer Triple-Header.
Viv plays in the Hollywood United All-Stars team against the Fram Select. See the first link for more.
Follow the second link for a 2006 FOX's Sports World feature on the team featuring footage of Vivian playing (#4 shirt) & being interviewed along with Steve Jones.
[ More Info ] - Here YouTube FoxNews Video
[May 5th] - Def Leppard @ The Snooker
Sort of...you may or may not be aware, depending on where you live, that Sheffield is home to the World Snooker Championships every year at this time.
A 17-day tournament held at the Crucible Theatre, 2 mins walk from the City Hall. Right now it's at the semi-final stage and during the afternoon coverage today BBC1 ran a regular piece highlighting famous Sheffield people/teams.
Sheffield FC, the world's oldest football club (150 years) were featured with chairman Richard Tims talking about the club. Whilst mentioning the celebrity members he gave a quick namecheck for the band. (I did say 'sort of'...) Def Leppard became members of the club in June 2006 the same day as the Sheffield Legends ceremony at the Town Hall. You never know, next year they might pop round Sav's house.
Just to add some trivia, the Crucible Theatre is located next to the Lyceum Theatre in Tudor Square as seen in 'Video Archive', where the 10,000 "Vault" balloons were released during 'Def Leppard Day' on October 5th 1995 (see pic).
[ Related Links ] - BBC Snooker Sheffield FC 1 Sheffield FC 2 Crucible Theatre Pic
Past News 2006 (Aug 12th)
[May 3rd] - K.I.S.S.
Current KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer has given Lep a mention during an 'Ask Tommy' Fan Q And A on the band's website KISSonline and his own site.
The answer to question 2 reveals his early Lep influence:
"Question 2: Hi Tommy, I love your guitar style. It is reminds me some of Steve Clark/Def Leppard style. Anyway, about your guitar gear... Kind Regards, Ken Crouch, Memphis, Tennessee
Answer: Hey Ken, Good observation on my guitar style, I do come from a Steve Clark style of playing, I love earlier Def Leppard, On Through The Night, High & Dry, etc."
Tommy played with the band at the 2006 VH1 Rock Honours show in Las Vegas.
[ More Info ] - Here Tommy Thayer.com
[May 3rd] - iTunes UK Video/Album Update
Although there are currently no Def Leppard albums available to buy on the service, iTunes UK have recently added the 2002 "Now" video.
The video lasts for 3:51min and is 44.1mb in size costing £1.89.
[ iTunes Link ] - Here
Sparkle Lounge album update. More Info - Here