In 1977, bass player RICK "SAV" SAVAGE starts the band ATOMIC MASS with guitarist PETE WILLIS in Sheffield, UK. Guitarist STEVE CLARK, lead vocalist JOE ELLIOTT and drummer TONY KENNING complete the line-up. The band are renamed to DEF LEPPARD and record "THE DEF LEPPARD EP" with temp drummer Frank Noon in 1979. Soon after, RICK ALLEN becomes permanent drummer and in 1980, the first album, "ON THROUGH THE NIGHT" is released. The band's second album "HIGH 'N' DRY" is released in 1982, and during the recordings of the third album in 1982, Pete Willis is replaced by PHIL COLLEN. In 1983, the album "PYROMANIA" is released, sells millions around the world and launches Def Leppard into superstardom. On New Years Eve 1984, Rick Allen loses his left arm in a car accident, but continues drumming with the aid of a specialized electronic drum kit. After many recording sessions, the fourth album "HYSTERIA" is finally released in 1987 and sells 16 million copies worldwide. On January 8, 1991, Steve Clark dies from an overdose of alcohol and prescription drugs. The band finish recording their fifth album "ADRENALIZE" and release it in 1992. After this, VIVIAN CAMPBELL joins the band. In 1993, the band plays a legendary show at the Don Valley stadium in hometown Sheffield, and release their sixth album "RETRO ACTIVE", which is mainly a collection of previously released B-sides. The Greatest Hits album "VAULT" is released in 1995 and includes one new track, "WHEN LOVE & HATE COLLIDE": the band's biggest UK hit to date. "SLANG", the 8th album, is released in 1996. In 1999, Def Leppard receive a Diamond Award for selling more than 10 million US copies of "HYSTERIA". In June of that same year, the band release "EUPHORIA". In the years that follow, music station VH1 broadcasts various shows featuring Def Leppard, including "HYSTERIA: THE DEF LEPPARD STORY", (a full-length movie covering the band's career from 1977 to 1986). In 2002, the band releases their tenth album "X" and embark on a tour to promote the album, which takes them to Russia for the first time in their career. In 2004, "PYROMANIA" is awarded with a Diamond Award (the band's second) for the sale of 10 million copies in the USA alone. "BEST OF", released on October 25th 2004, is the band's eleventh album and is accompanied by a DVD release containing all promo videos from the band's career.
