Tuesday, 2nd June 2015
Def Leppard released their classic Rock Of Ages single 32 years ago on this day in 1983 in the USA.
The anthemic song was the second single to be released from the 'Pyromania' album.
It was released on 2nd June 1983 reaching number 16 and spending 15 weeks on the Billboard Top 100 chart. Three inside the Top 20.
Below are some comments made by Joe about the song in an archive interview with VH1.
VH1- Joe Elliott Interview Quotes
Where did the idea for "Rock of Ages" come from?
"We had the backing track for "Rock Of Ages" but were singing melodies because we didn't have any lyrics. We let somebody use the studio the night before, and they held a bible study session. A Bible was left in the studio open to the hymn "Rock of Ages." So I picked it up and started singing, "Rock of ages." Mutt went, "That's it! That's the chorus!" It was a very anthemic song. This was us doing Joan Jett's "I Love Rock And Roll" or Billy Squier's "The Stroke" or Queen's "We Will Rock You." Big drums, handclaps, no guitars in the verse, singing, and then guitars blaring in on the chorus."
Gunter glieben glauten globen?
"That's the intro to "Rock Of Ages." It's Mutt Lange. There were no guitars in the verses, just drums. So instead of counting off one, two, three, four, he'd say these ridiculous things to make everybody laugh. One of them was "chapatti puppadum something something," all about Indian food. The other one was "Gunter glieben glauten globen." Some German guy sent a letter to our Artist Pages and said that it's German for "running through the forest silently." I'm assured it isn't. This guy must have just escaped from the happy house or something."
- Def Leppard - Rock Of Ages Single Section
- Def Leppard - Pyromania Album Section
- Previous News - 25th May 2015