http://www.canada.com/saskatoon/starphoenix/news/story.html?id=5b9898c1-fe79-4a92-b582-90414ef41f8a

Down-to-earth rockers
British band sticks together in tough times

Jennifer Jacoby-Smith
The StarPhoenix
August 18, 2005

DEF LEPPARD
Credit Union Centre
Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
$29.50, $39.50, $49.50
Tickets at 1-800-970-7328

Few bands define the big hair decade like Def Leppard. Mixing heavy 
metal edge with catchy pop melodies, the British quintet provided the 
quintessential '80s soundtrack.

Arena-sized rock anthems such as Bringin' On the Heartbreak, Pour Some 
Sugar On Me and Animal, along with ballads such as Photograph and Love 
Bites, tore up the airwaves.

Twenty-three years since their debut album rocketed onto the charts, Def 
Leppard has survived longer than most marriages. Even some of their own. 
"We've experienced so much together -- life, death, birth, marriages, 
divorces -- we've been there for each other," said guitarist Phil Collen 
in a recent interview.

Add in a car wreck that cost drummer Rick Allen his left arm in 1985 and 
the death of band-mate Steve Clark due to a drug overdose in 1991 and 
you could have grounds for divorce.

Yet Collen remains philosophical about the heartbreak the group 
encountered. "That's just regular life stuff," Collen said. "It happens. 
It's no different being in a band."

After his accident, Allen taught himself to drum one-handed, using a 
modified drum kit and foot pedals. He continues to be the band's sole 
drummer.

Along with the tragedies, band members lead singer Joe Elliot, bassist 
Rick Savage, Allen, guitarist Vivian Campbell (who joined after Clark's 
death) and Collen weathered mind-boggling commercial achievements -- 
success that has often been the undoing of other groups. "I've actually 
seen it with young bands, like 20-year-old guys, they get all kind of 
diva-fied. It's really quite funny," said Collen. "We have a very 
down-to-earth attitude."

Considering the stratospheric success of the '80s hit machine, 
down-to-earth might seem remarkable.

Pyromania (1984) sold seven million copies, while the blockbuster 
Hysteria (1987) went platinum 14 times in the U.S. and released seven 
singles. In 1992 Adrenalize entered the charts at number one and stayed 
there for five weeks, going on to sell six million units.

The group has put out seven more albums, including their latest two-CD 
compilation Rock of Ages.

Despite the new material, Def Leppard's concerts include mostly 
fan-favourite oldies.

"Fans may think it's indulgent if we (play only new songs), so we avoid 
that. We kind of break them in gently until a song becomes popular."

As Collen points out, it's not like they lack for choice. "We have a lot 
of hits, thank God."

But fans will get a sneak peak of the group's latest recording effort 
Yeah! -- an album of cover songs. Their set will include a Def Leppard 
version of David Essex's Rock On. Yeah! is scheduled for release in 
March 2006 and will be followed by an ambitious world tour.

While the group can be on tour for six months to 18 months at a time, 
Collen has no complaint. "It's obviously why you get into a band," he 
said. "It's so much fun."

What's not to like about performing in front of stadiums full of 
screaming fans who can sing every word of every song?

"In Toronto last night we play a show, and the audience was totally 
alive. It was so amazing. After 25 years, it's just incredible."

Now 40-something, most of the guys have wives or children and have 
tempered their wild-rocking ways.

Several members of the band also have side projects. Campbell's blues 
album, The Two Sides of If, is set for release this fall. Collen's 
three-piece rock combo including Sex Pistol Paul Cook, Man-Raze, will 
release its debut album next summer. As well, Elliot and Collen play in 
Cybernauts.

Touring through Canada this time, Collen has noticed a difference in the 
crowd. "There's younger people coming, like 17-year olds," said Collen.

"They're really digging it."

Collen added with a laugh, "We're thinking 'Oh my God, we're the old 
people.' "

The Tea Party will open for Def Leppard at Credit Union Centre on Saturday.

© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2005