Email to a friend Printer friendly Font: * * * * But somehow, it wasn't enough to quell concerns among the hard-rock faithful. Pre- and post-Hysteria battle lines had been drawn. "I think early on it's fair to say that early Def Leppard aspired to be a hybrid of AC/DC meets Thin Lizzy.
And there's nothing wrong with that," says guitarist Vivian Campbell, 45, who joined the group in 1992 following the death of founding guitarist Steve Clark. "But obviously, from Pyromania onward, the band's musical direction became more focused on songcraft and vocals." When the time came to hire a replacement for Clark in 1992, Def Leppard -- singer Joe Elliott, bassist Rick Savage, drummer Rick Allen and guitarist Phil Collen -- tried to find a bloke who could not only play, but sing as well.
"We're a very vocal-driven band. We all sing, and we all sing in every song -- a lot. And we do it live, which we're very proud of.
" Campbell's last comment addresses a popular rumour associated with Def Leppard's live performances -- that the massive choruses on hits like Rocket, Animal, Love Bites, and Pour Some Sugar on Me are electronically assisted. Aside from a custom electronic drum kit used by Allen, who lost his left arm during a 1984 auto accident, Def Leppard live concerts are the real deal, Campbell says. The current tour, which includes a stop at Rexall Place tonight, follows a successful 2006 outing, which grossed more than $38 million.
Currently, the band is on the road without a new record to promote, the first time in 30 years Def Leppard has relied solely on its back catalogue. Songs from their upcoming album, Songs From the Sparkle Lounge, which is pegged for release in early 2008, is not yet stage-ready, Campbell says. CONCERT PREVIEW Def Leppard When: Tonight at 7:30 Where: Rexall Place Tickets: Between $59.
50 and $79.
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