Def Leppard able to survive '80s pop-metal craze
This just in: Def Leppard doesn't consider itself to be a hard-rock band. The British veterans cite the melodic pop and textured arrangements favored by the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson rather than the high-decibel thunder of head bangers such as Metallica.
Lead singer Joe Elliott spends a good portion of arecent phone interview from a tour stop in Def Leppard lead singer Joe Elliott, center, doesn't think of his group as a metal band, but instead names several pop icons as influences. Quebec discussing all things not heavy metal.
He recalls watching Mott The Hoople, David Bowie (during his Ziggy Stardust period), Roxy Music and Sweet on television. Again, this is not the sort of nostalgia you expect from a hard-rock singer.