Rock Steady
You would think a near-legendary band like Def Leppard would be certain of their rock-star status. After all, they're the ones behind such fist-pumping anthems as Rock of Ages, Photograph and Pour Some Sugar on Me, and have sold millions of albums around the world.
They've been at it for more than 30 years and have survived death (guitarist Steve Clark died in 1991) and dismemberment (drummer Rick Allen lost his arm in a car accident in 1984 and plays with a modified drum kit). And though their old songs endure on classic-rock radio stations, the band, which comprises singer Joe Elliott, guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell, bassist Rick Savage and drummer Allen, is still a creatively viable entity. In fact, a new disc is due for release later this month, and the first single, a collaboration with country superstar Tim McGraw, is already a hit.
Plus, the touring never stops. Def Leppard is headlining a major arena excursion with fellow 1980s survivors R.E.O. Speedwagon and Styx (featuring Canada's Lawrence Gowan) that's making its way across North America. Pulling into Ottawa on Saturday, it's the hottest ticket of the season — a sold-out show with more than 15,000 fans expected at Scotiabank Place. The buzz is deafening.