Heavy metal band Def Leppard was formed in 1977 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire named briefly "Atomic Mass" while their members were attending Tapton School. The band emerged as part of the new wave of British Heavy Metal bands.
In 1978, Def Leppard added another guitarist, Steve Clark, but later that year Tony Kenning suddenly left the band shortly before the recording of a three-song EP that was released in November with Frank Noon replacing Kenning temporarily.
"Def Leppard EP" produced a hit track named "Rocks Off", which received generous airtime by John Peel, a renowned DJ of BBC Radio. Later that year a 15-year old Rick Allen joined the band as drummer.
Allen, who was considered a champion of new wave and punk rock, increased the loyal fan database that declared the group as the leading force of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, title that later in the 1980’s Iron Maiden would claim for themselves.
Def Leppard debuted with the album "On Through the Night", released in March 1980. This album climbed up on the UK's Top 15, but Def Leppard’s fans were disappointed because the effort of the band pointing to the US market was very obvious.
In fact, Def Leppard went on tour to America as the support act opening for Ted Nugent, Pat Travers, and AC/DC, whose producer, Robert John "Mutt" Lange, released the band's second album, "High 'n' Dry", released in 1981. Such album did not achieve the awaited success, but helped to introduce the band to MTV receiving great exposure.
In 1983, Phil Collen replaced Pete Willis and the band returned to the studio recording the album "Pyromania" that broke through into the mainstream with the single "Photograph". This song surpassed the popularity of Michael Jackson's Beat It video clip on MTV, peaking at number 12 on Billboard Pop and Album charts, and staying there for six weeks.
This and the following album “Pyromania” (1987) received RIAA diamond certifications after 10 and 12 million copies sold respectively around the world.
From 1980 to 2006, Def Leppard has released 13 studio albums and "Songs From The Sparkle Lounge", the fourteenth of them, is scheduled to be released sometime in 2008.
