Friday, 18th July 2014
The First Show By Def Leppard
Def Leppard played their first ever public live show in Sheffield, England 36 years ago on this day in 1978.
This was the first time the band had performed live in front of an audience. Featuring the early line-up of Steve Clark, Pete Willis, Joe Elliott, Rick Savage and original drummer Tony Kenning. They played six songs starting with the unreleased track 'World Beyond The Sky' and encored with a cover of Thin Lizzy's 'Jailbreak'.
They have of course gone on to play over 1,800 concerts in more than 50 countries around the world.
Joe Elliott is pictured below at Westfield School in the Mosborough district of the city in 1989 for the Rock Of Ages documentary. Sitting in front of the stage area. The school has now closed down. For more photos visit the 1978 show page.
Westfield School, Sheffield 1989
Animal Instinct 1987 - Joe Elliott Quotes
"What happened was that just as we were about to go on, we realised we hadn't tuned the guitars, So we had to get one of the guys helping us bring Steve's Marshall amp into the dressing room - he left the switch on standby."
"Steve plugged in and walked to the front of the stage, looking brilliant in his tight jeans and long blond hair. All ready to go into the first song, 'World Beyond The Sky', he did his windmill arm motion, just like Pete Thownshend, for the big opening chord and nothing happened. No power. Everybody in the audience was laughing. After a few seconds, we started all over again."
By Zomba Books 1987.
- Def Leppard - Sheffield 1978 Show Page
- Def Leppard - Early Years Tour 1978
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