Def Leppard

Def Leppard is a rock band formed in Sheffield, England, recognized as a cornerstone of the new wave of British heavy metal. The group consists of Rick Savage on bass, Joe Elliott on lead vocals, Rick Allen on drums, Phil Collen on guitar, and Vivian Campbell on guitar. Def Leppard developed an accessible, melodic version of heavy metal, which gained significant traction in the United States and contributed to the resurgence of pop-oriented heavy metal bands.

The band's rise to international prominence was marked by a series of influential albums. The second album, "High 'n' Dry," produced by Mutt Lange, helped define Def Leppard's melodic hard rock style. The track "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" became one of the first rock videos played on MTV. The album "Pyromania" featured hits such as "Photograph" and "Rock of Ages," achieving sales of more than 10 million copies and securing the band's place in rock history. The fourth album, "Hysteria," topped both the UK and U.S. album charts, was certified 12× Platinum in the United States, and sold over 25 million copies worldwide. "Hysteria" produced several hit singles, including "Pour Some Sugar on Me," "Love Bites," and "Armageddon It," and earned the band American Music Awards for Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist and Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Album.

Def Leppard's history is also marked by perseverance. Drummer Rick Allen lost his left arm in an auto accident but relearned to play drums with a specially designed kit, and the band continued with Allen as drummer. Guitarist Steve Clark died from a mix of prescription drugs and alcohol, after which the band recorded "Adrenalize" as a four-piece before adding Vivian Campbell. "Adrenalize" reached number one in the UK, US, and Australia, selling over eight million copies worldwide.

The band's legacy includes numerous hit singles and multi-platinum albums. When Def Leppard released their full recording catalog on streaming platforms, their albums charted in the iTunes Top 10 in more than 30 countries. The band has accumulated 6 billion streams, with a significant portion of their audience in the 18–44 demographic. The twelfth studio album, "Diamond Star Halos," debuted at number one on Apple and Amazon Music charts and achieved a Top 10 debut on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart, making Def Leppard one of only three groups with a newly charting Top 10 title on the Billboard 200 in each decade since the 1980s.

Def Leppard has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and received RIAA Diamond certification for both "Pyromania" and "Hysteria," making them one of only five rock bands with two original studio albums selling more than 10 million copies in the United States. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. With a catalog spanning nearly five decades and a live show that continues to attract audiences globally, Def Leppard remains a significant presence in rock music, hard rock, and heavy metal.