In a brand new interview with Ben Jones of Virgin Radio UK, DEF LEPPARD singer Joe Elliott was requested if it is truthful to say that he and his bandmates nonetheless love touring, almost 5 many years after the group’s formation. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “Yeah, and it is one thing that, fingers crossed, has by no means gone away. In 48 years since we fashioned, and this lineup’s been collectively for 33 years, which has a ridiculous achievement, when you consider it. By means of all of the hardships that we have had — I imply, we misplaced Pete [Willis, former DEF LEPPARD guitarist] alongside the best way, we misplaced Steve [Clark, late DEF LEPPARD guitarist], and Rick [Allen, DEF LEPPARD drummer] had a very horrible accident however stayed within the band. So there’s been a variety of type of odd instances, however there’s been a lot extra good instances, when you like. And it is, like, effectively, what’s to not like? I imply, we’re simply all on the identical web page, and I believe that is why we prefer it a lot. And I believe that simply comes from the working class background that we got here from. I imply, our dad and mom have been the youngsters of World Warfare II, and if you’ve had these [Monty] Python-esque-like, ‘You do not know what it is wish to have to decide on between a cardboard field and a pair of wellies for a Christmas current.’ You by no means lose these tales ‘trigger they informed you if you have been a child and also you simply keep in mind ’em endlessly. They change into extra comical the older you get. However I believe that that working class type of upbringing that we had, if you get to change into this, I suppose now folks would say elitist rock band, we simply soar on the chance to simply preserve this factor going as a result of it is a lot enjoyable.”
Elliott additionally talked about what retains him and his DEF LEPPARD bandmates motivated to jot down and document new music. He stated: “Let’s be sincere: DEF LEPPARD now’s extra recognized for promoting tickets than albums. Albums, it is Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, et cetera. Us, yeah, we promote data. I believe we simply went into some — not Guinness guide, however no matter — we have Prime 10ed an album in 5 completely different many years, which is fairly cool. It is an important story for the aunties and uncles and stuff like that. However we nonetheless wanna make data. That is the nice factor.
“When the lockdown got here alongside, actually the day that everyone was speculated to fly into my studio, fly into Eire, into my studio, they shut down all flights. So I acquired on the telephone with Phil [Collen, DEF LEPPARD guitarist] and I stated, ‘What are we gonna do now?’ And in a 40-minute dialog, he stated, ‘Properly, we may do it remotely.’ I stated, ‘What have you ever acquired?’ He stated, ‘Properly, I’ve acquired three [songs].’ And I then defined to him he truly had 4 as a result of we had this music known as ‘This Guitar’ that we would been sitting on for years and we have got to do it. I had three. After which we introduced Sav [bassist Rick Savage] into the dialog. He had two. So in 40 minutes we had 9 songs. And we determined to do what QUEEN at all times did. If we wrote a music and also you had a begin, center and an finish, that was it. No argument — we’re doing it. No ‘oh, can we take that bit out and put my bit in?’ We simply trusted one another that we would written songs, and that is how we did the final album. It was probably the most releasing factor we have ever completed. We had probably the most enjoyable making an album the place we have been primarily 3,000 miles aside from one another and gluing all of it collectively in our engineer’s studio. And it feels like we did it in Abbey Highway [studio]. And
we’re doing it once more.”
Earlier this month, DEF LEPPARD introduced a European tour for the summer time of 2026. The trek, with particular visitor EXTREME, will kick off in Rättvik, Sweden on June 26 and wrap up on July 30 on the Wacken Open Air competition on July 30.
DEF LEPPARD‘s third Las Vegas residency, “Def Leppard: Stay at Caesars Palace The Las Vegas Residency”, will set the strip alight from February 3 by means of 28, 2026 at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. These new exhibits observe the band’s sold-out residency successes in 2019 and 2013.
Tickets for the next 12 exhibits went on sale on July 25: February 2026: 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28
Late final yr, DEF LEPPARD guitarist Vivian Campbell underwent a bone marrow transplant as a part of his remedy plan for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, with which he was recognized in 2013.
In June, Campbell revealed that he’s “fully in remission” from the most cancers of the lymphatic system.
This previous January, DEF LEPPARD launched a canopy of Ben E. King‘s 1961 traditional “Stand By Me”. All proceeds from the music are going to FireAid, which raises cash for these impacted by the fires that swept by means of Los Angeles early this yr.
DEF LEPPARD‘s model of the music is featured within the Netflix movie “Financial institution Of Dave 2: The Mortgage Ranger”, which was launched on January 10. The band might be seen performing the monitor earlier than the credit.
Campbell — who earlier than becoming a member of DEF LEPPARD in 1992 was well-known for his work with DIO and WHITESNAKE — went public together with his Hodgkin’s lymphoma prognosis in June 2013.
Vivian underwent three separate spells of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, just for his Hodgkin’s lymphoma to return.
Six years in the past, Campbell underwent backbone surgical procedure.
Vivian and his DEF LEPPARD bandmates have been lastly inducted into the Rock And Roll Corridor Of Fame in March 2019 — 14 years after the British rockers first turned eligible.
DEF LEPPARD‘s newest album, “Diamond Star Halos”, arrived in Might 2022 by way of UMe.
