Friday, 13th August 2021
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34 Years Ago DEF LEPPARD Perform ANIMAL On Top Of The Pops (Video)

Def Leppard 1987. Screenshot

Def Leppard performed their classic single Animal on iconic UK music show Top Of The Pops on this day in 1987.

The single had been released on 20th July in the UK and would go on to peak at Number 6.

They had performed the song a couple of weeks earlier on The Roxy just before the single entered the chart.

During this week the song was at Number 16 and about to jump up to Number 9 as a result of their UK TV exposure and radio airplay.

This was the very first time the band had an appearance on Top Of The Pops broadcast.

They had taped a performance of 'Hello America' in March 1980 but it was not shown as the single did not enter the Top 40.

This episode was presented by DJs Simon Bates and Peter Powell.

Other performers on the show included Wet Wet Wet, Pseudo Echo and Rick Astley who played 'that' song.

The performance was used as a clip on the 'Classic Albums Hysteria' DVD in 2002 and has now been released on the Hysteria 30th Anniversary reissue in 2017.


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TOTP 1987 Photo Gallery - By dltourhistory

Top Of The Pops - 13th August 1987

  • 01 - Def Leppard - Animal
  • 02 - Motley Crue - Girls Girls Girls (Video)
  • 03 - Rick Astley - Never Gonna Give You Up
  • 04 - Wet Wet Wet - Sweet Little Mystery
  • 05 - Pseudo Echo - Funky Town
  • 07 - Hue & Cry - Labour Of Love (Video)
Watch various versions of the performance from different sources on this YouTube Playlist

Def Leppard 1987 Fan Videos.


Def Leppard 2020.

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