Def Leppard News - 39 Years Ago DEF LEPPARD Play In WOLVERHAMPTON (Review/Photo)

Friday, 7th September 2018

39 Years Ago DEF LEPPARD Play In WOLVERHAMPTON (Review/Photo)

Def Leppard 1979

Def Leppard played a show in Wolverhampton, England on 7th September 1979 and an archive concert review is available to read.

The show took place at the Lafayette Club featuring the early line up of Joe Elliott, Rick Savage, Pete Willis, Steve Clark and Rick Allen.

The very first time the band were watched by future co-managers Cliff Burnstein and Peter Mensch.

They would go on to take over from Pete Martin and Frank Stuart-Brown by the end of 1979.

Joe would also suffer a 'wardrobe malfunction' shortly before the show started.

Melody Maker magazine reviewed the show which took place at the Lafayette Club and offered the young band some helpful advice!.

Melody Maker - Review Quotes

"Several months ago, Def Leppard made their vinyl debut with a three-track EP, released on the independent Bludgeon Riffola label. It clearly indicated that here was a hot prospect for the future, featuring such delights as "Ride Into The Sun", "Overture" and the classic "Getcha Rocks Off", which is destined to become one of the all-time HM cuts."

"Word swiftly spread through the music industry that Leppard were the "next big thing" and, having been pursued by a number of major record companies, the Sheffield-based group recently signed to Phonogram."

"Amazingly enough, though, 18 is the average age of the line-up, which includes a 15-year-old drummer."

"Def Leppard could fare much better if the individual members came forward more, especially the singer, Elliott, who has yet to realise his full potential as a frontman."

"The music is fine, but fans want to be entertained visually as well. That doesn't necessarily presuppose flashbombs and dry ice throughout the show, but better presentation will enable them to come over with even more force and aggression."

Animal Instinct - 1987 Biography Quote

"September 7 - Lafayette Club, Wolverhampton £125, plus fifty percent of the door (takings). Cliff Burnstein flew from America to see Def Leppard perform for the first time."

"Joe, practising splits in the dressing room, ripped his stage pants right up the back of his crotch before showtime. He did the whole show facing the audience so they wouldn't see his bare ass. (Joe refused to wear underpants on stage)."

This and other archive concert reviews can be found on the show pages in the Tour History.

Fan photos and reviews from any past tour can be submitted - Here

Read the full review - Wolverhampton 1979 Show Page
Def Leppard - Early Years Tour 1979
Previous Show - 6th September 2018
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