Most of you probably know or have heard of the band Def Leppard, incase you have not, please let me take this time to express why millions of fans feel that these five gentlemen are deserving of induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Def Leppard began their career in the late 70’s (at the average age of 18) during the disco and punk heyday. With the release of their debut album in 1980, “On Through the Night” as a stepping stone for the Sheffield, England raised band, their sophomore release "High n’ Dry" revealed what many in the concert circuit had already seen. The album, which was released in July 1981, spawned 3 hits, two of which are still current mainstays on today’s classic rock radio stations ('Let It Go', and the smash hit, 'Bringin’ on the Heartbreak'), proving their staying power in today’s music world. Their next album "Pyromania" (February 1983) was the bands first time collaborating with Producer Mutt Lange. In reward for their hard work the album produced no less than 4 Top 40 hits ('Photograph', 'Rock of Ages', 'Foolin’' and 'Too Late For Love'). With Def Leppard quickly becoming a household name, the band went to work on "Hysteria".
"Hysteria" was released in August 1987 and quickly catapulted the band into massive stardom. The album, over the next 18 months, spawned 7 hits including 4 that ended up in the Top 5 on Billboards Charts ('Hysteria', 'Pour Some Sugar On Me', Armageddonit' and 'Love Bites')… driving record sales well over 16 million, bypassing Michael Jackson’s 'Thriller'. Def Leppard’s "Hysteria" album, to date, is the highest selling rock album ever created and continues to remain on the charts and sell millions worldwide.
The band went on to release "Adrenalize" in March of 1992 which ended up producing 3 hits including, ‘Make Love Like a Man’ and ‘Lets Get Rocked’. The band produced several hits over the next 10 years (with the release of 5 more albums) and fans also saw the guys honored in the Guinness Book of Worlds Records for doing their 3 Continents in One Day Tour to promote their Greatest Hits Compilation, "Vault" (an album which is still found on the charts today, almost 10 years after it's release).
In the last few years the band have worked with many up and coming artists, both in collaboration in song writing and in producing. They had the honor in 2001 of being inducted onto the Rock Walk Hall of Fame and have had their home town of Sheffield, England name a day after them in 1995. The band received a Diamond Award for record sales associated with both Hysteria and Vault in 1999. In short, Def Leppard and it's members (Joe Elliott, Phil Collen, Rick Savage, Vivian Cambell, Rick Allen and the late Steve Clark) have become both a backbone and inspiration to many up and coming artists (as well as fans), as evident in the numerous requests by these artists to do covers of various Def Leppard songs. Def Leppard Drummer, Rick Allen, has also received a humanitarian award for his work with sick and terminally ill children by starting the Raven Drum Foundation.
Def Leppard have certainly seen their fair share of tragedies and triumphs in their 25+ year career, with the near fatal car crash of their drummer, Rick Allen (who lost his left arm as a result of the accident), and the death of their guitarist, Steve Clark, the band have endured hardships that would have made most bands call it quits long ago. However, their drive to be one of the best rock bands ever and their passion and love of music is what makes Def Leppard what they are today, cherished and loved by millions of fans around the world.
In short, this is why we (the fans of Def Leppard) feel they should be considered for the distinction of induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, we couldn’t think of a more deserving and dedicated group of musicians.