http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/2003-04-30/vibes_show4.html Def Leppard's Phil Collen BY LEE VALENTINE SMITH When the 2003 Music Midtown lineup was unveiled at a recent press conference, an amazing thing happened. Superstar acts like Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow and Tony Bennett received polite applause or indifferent mumbling, but when Def Leppard was announced, a Tabernacle full of jaded journalists and music industry parasites actually roared their approval. The melodic metal band, originally from Sheffield, England, had massive success in the mid- to late '80s despite death, dismemberment and personnel changes. Yet Def Leppard never broke up and a recent documentary on VH-1 helped usher in renewed interest in the band. For half a decade, their radio and video hits were inescapable, including the pop anthems "Hysteria," "Pour Some Sugar On Me," and "Photograph." Creative Loafing reached Leppard guitarist Phil Collen by phone on a tour stop in North Carolina. Creative Loafing: What has caused this sudden surge of interest in Def Leppard? Phil Collen: In the '90s, we were a nasty little secret or something because of the whole grunge thing. Then the millennium came and you had Britney Spears and Ricky Martin. Everything was happy, fun and exciting again, as opposed to the '90s, which was a very somber affair. You were pretty young when the hits were really happening. Some of us were still livin' with our mums and stuff. Then all of a sudden, we were on tour for a year. We got back and it was like, 'I guess we're grown-ups now.' It can be very destructive getting that kind of success at that age, but we handled it pretty good. When you see 'N Sync or Backstreet Boys, we were playing those same kinds of tours and we were in the teen mags and all that. Plus, it helped that MTV still played music videos back then. Oh, yeah, more than anything. Honestly, this Indian Summer or resurgence or whatever we are havin' right now is because of the VH1 thing and them bein' so behind the band. With those "Behind the Music" things, people can see what you are all about. If you can stick it out, you go through a lean time -- like for us, the '90s -- then people will finally give you a break and more respect, as well. Was there ever a time when you felt like you should end the band? We did feel like knockin' it on the 'ead a few times, yeah, but we soldiered on. Now, it's fun again. We're playing stuff from every album and it's still very exciting. Def Leppard plays the Dodge/96 Rock UPN Stage Sun., May 4, at 8:30 p.m. 04.30.03 Copyright © 1996-2003 Creative Loafing Inc. All rights reserved.