Def Leppard is a rock band from Sheffield, England, which formed in 1977 and has been identified as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. The band consists of Joe Elliot (vocals), Phil Collen (lead guitar), Vivian Campbell (rhythm guitar), Rick Savage (bass guitar), and Rick Allen (drums). The band has sold over 65 millions albums worldwide, and have two albums with RIAA diamond certification, Pyromania and Hysteria.(2009-02-26). Def Leppard Announces US Tour Newsroom America. Retrieved 2010-03-01.

History

Early years (1977–1979)

Rick Savage, Pete Willis and Tony Kenning, all students at Tapton School in Sheffield, formed a band called Atomic Mass in 1977. The band originally consisted of Willis on guitar, Savage on bass (after originally playing guitar), with Kenning on drums. Only 18 at the time, Joe Elliott tried out for the band as a guitarist following a chance meeting with Willis after missing a bus. During his audition, however, it was decided that he was better suited to be the lead singer. Their first ever gig was in the dining hall in A Block in Westfield School in Mosborough, Sheffield.