37 Years Ago PHIL COLLEN's First Show With DEF LEPPARD In London
Def Leppard played their first show with guitarist Phil Collen in London, England on this day 37 years ago in 1983.
The show which served as a warm-up for the main Pyromania world tour took place in London at the legendary Marquee Club. A venue played twice by the band in January 1980.
Phil had joined the band in July 1982 during the making of the Pyromania album.
He had also taken part in the filming of the first two promo videos from the album in December 1982 (Photograph/Rock Of Ages).
Quotes from a 1983 interview are shown below with the band giving their opinions about then 'new' member Phil and the show story from the 'Animal Instinct' biography book.
Phil had played his last show with Girl at the Zig Zag club in mid 1982. A show attended by Joe and Steve. The Marquee Club had been played by Phil as far back as 1976 with his band Lucy.
This show featured the debuts of four new Pyromania songs - 'Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)', 'Photograph', 'Billy's Got A Gun' and 'Rock Of Ages'. The first time anyone had heard these songs outside of 'Photograph' which was the current single. ROA featured Sav playing a Moog keyboard on stage for the first time. Brian Roberston of Motorhead and ex-Thin Lizzy guested with them on the encore of 'Travellin' Band' which would become a tradition during the tour.
This show could well have been the debut of 'Bringin' On the Heartbreak' and 'Switch 625' being played live. Switch had been used only as intro music on the PA during the 1981 tour and apart from playing BOTH in Liverpool at the High 'n' Dry video shoot, there is no record of it being played live in 1981 when the band were mostly playing short 35-40 minute opening sets at every show outside of their UK headline tour in July. This version featured Joe on guitar (as shown below from later on the main tour).
Read the full 'Pyromania/Phil Collen' tour story on the Lep History section.
This section will be expanded to include all major historical events and releases.
Def Leppard / Latest Release
- The Early Years 79-81 - (Album/Box Set)
- The Story So Far...The Best Of Def Leppard - (Album)
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- Def Leppard - London 1983 Show Page
- Def Leppard - Pyromania Tour 1983/1984
- Previous News - 7th February 2020
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