Def Leppard News - 35 Years Ago DEF LEPPARD Release ROCK OF AGES Single In The USA

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35 Years Ago DEF LEPPARD Release ROCK OF AGES Single In The USA

Rock Of Ages 1983.

Def Leppard released their classic Rock Of Ages single on this day in 1983 in the USA.

The anthemic song was the second single to be released from the 'Pyromania' album.

The album had been released on 20th January 1983 worldwide.

The first single Photograph had been released on 28th February and during this week it was at Number 16.

'Rock Of Ages' was released on 2nd June 1983 and peaked at Number 16 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart.

It would spend 15 weeks on the chart. Three inside the Top 20.

The 'Pyromania' album had peaked at Number 2 on 14th May and was still at Number 4 at the time this second single was released.

Below are some comments made by Joe about the song in an archive interview with VH1.

VH1 - Joe Elliott Interview Quotes

Where did the idea for "Rock of Ages" come from?

"We had the backing track for "Rock Of Ages" but were singing melodies because we didn't have any lyrics. We let somebody use the studio the night before, and they held a bible study session. A Bible was left in the studio open to the hymn "Rock of Ages." So I picked it up and started singing, "Rock of ages." Mutt went, "That's it! That's the chorus!" It was a very anthemic song. This was us doing Joan Jett's "I Love Rock And Roll" or Billy Squier's "The Stroke" or Queen's "We Will Rock You." Big drums, handclaps, no guitars in the verse, singing, and then guitars blaring in on the chorus."

Gunter glieben glauten globen?

"That's the intro to "Rock Of Ages." It's Mutt Lange. There were no guitars in the verses, just drums. So instead of counting off one, two, three, four, he'd say these ridiculous things to make everybody laugh. One of them was "chapatti puppadum something something," all about Indian food. The other one was "Gunter glieben glauten globen." Some German guy sent a letter to our Artist Pages and said that it's German for "running through the forest silently." I'm assured it isn't. This guy must have just escaped from the happy house or something."

2001 Def Leppard Official FAQ Quote - (Note spelling)

5.1 - What does "Gunter Glieben Glauten Globen" mean?

"Nothing in particular (although the band sometimes jokingly claims it means "running through the forest silently"). It's gibberish said by producer Mutt Lange during the recordings of "Rock Of Ages", instead of the regular one, two, three, four."

Def Leppard - Rock Of Ages Single Section
Def Leppard - Pyromania Album Section
Related News - 1st June 2018
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