Def Leppard is unforgettable with their band history, their music and as a staple of the wild Rock n’ Roll years of the 80’s. Here are 6 facts about the legendary band from across the pond that you might not know about.

NORJE 2019-06-06
Def Leppard perform at Sweden Rock Festival.
Photo Hanna Franzén / TT kod 11870

 

1) Phil Collen and Steve Clark were given the nickname “The Terror Twins” because of their offstage antics. 

 

 

2) It’s rumored that Rick Allen was once criticized by Queen Elizabeth herself because of the Union Jack boxers he wore onstage during a show.

 

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – JUNE 06: Drummer Rick Allen of Def Leppard performs at House of Blues Sunset Strip on June 6, 2012 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Chelsea Lauren/WireImage)

 

3) Tom Cruise sang “Pour Some Sugar On Me” in the movie adaptation of “Rock Of Ages”. The band actually approves of Cruise’s version of their song. 

4) On his 15th birthday, Rick Allen joined the band and eventually dropped out of school. 

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 21: Def Leppard performs onstage during the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 21, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)

 

5) “Love Bites” is Def Leppard’s only number one hit single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart to date. At the time, they’d never played it together in the same room when it topped the chart. 

 

 

6) Def Leppard became the first major rock band to play on stage in the middle of the stadiums they were performing in during the American leg of their Hysteria tour.

 

 

Tune in to the Sunday Night Vinyl Series every week with your host Howard Mandshein for more interesting tidbits about your favourite artists.