By releasing another master piece that sets the standard for all future recordings.
Hailing from Sheffield in England (UK), Def Leppard burst onto the music map as part of the NWOBHM scene. However, unlike their peers the band were influenced by the Glam rock of the 70s, amongst others which helped shape their sound.
In 1983 the band released their 3rd record, Pyromania, which shaped the sound of 80s rock and the approach to recording music. Hiring the talents of Robert "Mutt" Lange and writing the best songs of their career, the band produced this timeless classic.
However it would be another 4 years before the band would release the follow up and what a journey they had during that period.
Riding high on the success of their Pyromania release, the band spent the majority of their time on the road. Playing to sell out audiences across the globe. With it came money, success and plenty of vices.
The band also experienced a number of lows, the main one being Rick Allen's car accident that almost ruined his career. The drummer had lost his arm and this put his future in Def Leppard into doubt. How many one arm drummers are there?
However, Def Leppard were a group of "brothers" who supported and never lost faith in each other. The band allowed Rick to recover whilst they continued to work on their 4th album. During this time the band had already recorded an album with producer Jim Steinmen. Which was eventually scrapped due to the producer's methods of recording, the band weren't happy with him and the results that he produced. Therefore they teamed up with Mutt once again and worked hard to better their previous attempts.
The work on the album proved to be very difficult with Mutt pushing the band to give 100% plus much more. In addition they were concerned for Rick, who was making excellent recovery and was working on playing the drums again with only one arm.
Finally on the 3rd August 1987, Def Leppard released HYSTERIA. The album went onto sell over 20 million units around the World, with 12 million being sold in the USA. The album produced 7 hit singles, including the title track.
Rick returned to the band as their drummer and with the help of Simmons produced an electronic drum kit that allowed him to use his legs where he would have normally used his arms. Rick's comeback was sealed at the 1986 Monsters Of Rock festival at Donington's Race Track, with an emotionally charged ovation after his introduction by singer, Joe Elliot.
During the touring of the album the band played "In The Round". A stage that had 4 stage fronts. This was an unique stage and allowed the band to play stadiums and arenas as if they were clubs. The stage was centred in the middle of the venue and the band were transported to the stage in laundry baskets.
The album was also the last studio release that guitarist, Steve Clark, played on before his death in 1991. However songs written by Steve would appear on the band's follow up, Adrenalize which was released in 1992.
During March & April of 2013, Def Leppard celebrated the success of the Hysteria album with a run of shows at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The band performed the album in it's entirety and official running order. This has just been released as a live album and DVD / Blu Ray and is worth watching (see www.frontiers.it & www.defleppard.com for details)
*The band are planning another visit to play their Pyromania album in full.*
27 years on and the album still sounds fresh. I don't think that there has been album since that redefined the way music is produced. With a collection of great songs, every home should have a copy. Go on treat yourself to a copy.
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