Tuesday, 27th January 2015
Pic by dltourhistory
Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott has posted his collection of backstage passes on a new site called Popgrotto.
Popgrotto is described as a "web platform for digitalizing personal collections of any kind".
Joe's involvement is likely down to his friendship with owner Chris Vranian who Joe mentioned staying with in Las Vegas during the VIVA Hysteria! shows in 2013.
Joe's collection contains many of the gigs you would have expected him to attend and many that have been mentioned by him over the years.
One or two of the items reveal a few interesting things.
It was known Joe attended the opening match of the 1994 FIFA World Cup in Chicago. One pass reveals he took part in a charity football match the day before the opening game. The event at the UIC Pavilion happened on 16th June 1994 with the opening match between Germany and Bolivia a day later at Solider Field. Joe's attendance was known to due a photo of him in a UK magazine sitting in the stadium smoking a cigarette.
Other notable concerts attended include various U2 shows that were recorded and filmed. These include the Slane Castle show in 2001 which is out on DVD. The legendary New Year's Eve show in 1989 where Bono famously said "we have to go away and ... and dream it all up again." which resulted in the band reinventing their sound for the 'Achtung Baby' album.
Joe also attended the August 1993 show which was broadcast live on BBC radio from the RDS Showgrounds.
A couple of Bon Jovi passes from Dublin date from 1988 - when he guested on stage with the band. And 2001 where he was filmed backstage with drummer Tico Torres. The footage was used in the updated live video for Wanted Dead Or Alive 2001 - pause at 24 seconds in.
A few Def Leppard passes are also included in the collection which features around 100 or so photos.
Joe Elliott - Popgrotto Profile Quote
"I am a massive music fan and am the lead singer in Def Leppard."
- News Source/View the collection at - popgrotto.com
- Previous Show - 25th January 2015