Friday, 21st December 2018
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40 Years Ago RICK ALLEN Plays First DEF LEPPARD Show In Rotherham

Def Leppard 2015. Nottingham 2015

Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen played his first show with the band in Rotherham, England on this day in 1978.

The show took place at Clifton Hall in the South Yorkshire town of Rotherham, England.

Their first visit to this town.

The Christmas Dance event was held in the Students Union and featured a headline band called Bliss and after "Deff Lepard" (as spelled on poster) the Spektrum Disco!. The eent lasted from 7:30pm to 1am and tickets cost only one pound.

This show was always believed to have been Rick's first with the band and was confirmed to be via an old fan club fact profile.

Judging by the name spelling the band were still tinkering with the change from 'Deaf Leopard' which was suggested original drummer Tony Kenning. Or just a mistake on the poster.

Rick also stated that his first ever gig was in his "Front room at home with my first band". As well as, Favourite Band - "Def Leppard" and under Dreams..."Wet Ones!".

Rick replaced original drummer Tony Kenning on 27th November 1978 who had been fired on 18th November.

He contacted the band in response to a local newspaper story before they recorded The Def Leppard EP in Hull with guest drummer Frank Noon.

Auditions were held at the spoon factory rehearsal room after the band arrived home with Rick given the job he has held to this day.

Rick had joined the band almost one year since they formed in November 1978 and cemented the first classic line-up of the band alongside Joe Elliott, Rick Savage, Steve Clark and Pete Willis which would go on to record the first two albums 'On through The Night' and 'High 'n' Dry'.

Rick Allen Live 2016/2017 - Photo Gallery

Photos by Chele Drappel/Sandra Hatfield/Suzette Sasaoka/Sally J/ Holly Beam/Michelle Lydon/Steve Kelley.


Def Leppard 1978.

Animal Instinct 1987 Biography Quotes

"But at his audition, the day after Def Leppard returned from Fairview Studio, Rick wowed the band with his whiplash timing, riffle crack sound and his nifty Pearl all-chrome kit. Another drummer turned up for the audition, but he didn't stand a chance. After one number, he was swiftly dispatched into the night. According to Joe, Tony Kenning also turned up and made vague murmurs about getting his old job back. He was too late."

"We asked Rick if he knew Emerald by Thin Lizzy," says Sav. "We played that and suddenly the song sounded six times better than the way we usually played it. We were now in the company of a proper drummer. Even at fifteen he was outstanding."


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Phil Collen - Guitar
Phil Collen - Guitar
Phil Collen - Guitar