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Def Leppard Band Member / Phil Collen

guitars since 1982

A section for Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen with details of all releases and tours played on and personal information.


Def Leppard Phil Collen.

phil collen 1982 to Present

  • Instrument - Guitars/Backing Vocals.
  • Joined Band - 12th July 1982.
Main Information
  • Full Name - Phillip Kenneth Collen.
  • Birth Date - 12:02am on Sunday, 8th December 1957.
  • Birth Location - Mothers' Hospital of the Salvation Army, 153 Lower Clapton Road, Hackney, London, England.
  • Nicknames - Phil/Phillis
  • Joined Band - 12th July 1982
  • First Def Leppard Show - 9th February 1983
  • Previous Bands - Moose Jaw.
  • Previous Bands - Lucy.
  • Previous Bands - Tush.
  • Previous Bands - Dumb Blondes.
  • Previous Bands - Girl.
  • Lives In - Laguna Hills, California.
  • Father - Kenneth Frank Collen (Died 2004).
  • Mother - 'Connie'/Constance April Collen (formerly Wheeler) - (Died 1998).
  • Wife - Helen Lucille Collen (formerly Simmons/Married 16th July 2010).
  • Ex-Wife - Jacqueline Collen-Tarrolly 1990-1995 (born Jacqueline Marie Long).
  • Ex-Wife - Anita Thomas Collen 1999-2010.
  • Children - Rory James Collen (Son - born 4th January 1990).
  • Children - Samantha Collen (Daughter - born 2004).
  • Children - Savannah Collen (Daughter - born March 2009).
  • Children - Charlotte Collen (Daughter - born 2014).
  • Children - Jaxson Collen (Son - born May 2018).
  • Read More

phil collen / band member info

Phil was born in Hackney in the East End of London, England.
He started playing guitar in 1972 after attending a Deep Purple concert in Brixton.
Playing with various bands in venues like the famous Marquee Club by 1976 and joining Girl in 1979.

He joined Def Leppard in July 1982 after the departure of original guitarist Pete Willis during the making of Pyromania.
Forming a unique guitar partnership with Steve Clark and contributing to songwriting on the Hysteria album.

Phil Collen (2016)

"All the songs were written for 'Pyromania' when I joined. I came on to play guitar initially. It turned into something."
"The sound changed. It got a little more aggressive. All of a sudden we went on tour and it exploded."

Phil Collen (2016)

"For me to just come in as a solo lead guitar player. It was great and again I had a different feel and a different style to both those guys."
"It was a little more aggressive. And even my voice is more aggressive than what they had been used to."
"And then he got me singing with Joe and doing all these two part harmonies and stuff. And it really."
"It kind of started changing the sound of the band. In a good way I think. So it was a different thing."

Steve Clark (1983)

"We expect better things for the future now that Phil's in the group because he's going to contribute a lot more."
"Playing with him on stage every night is a pleasure."

Manraze (2004-2013)

In late 2004 Phil started a side band called Manraze in London with ex-Girl band mate Simon Laffy and ex-Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook.
They released two studio albums in 2008 and 2011 with a further E.P. released in 2013.
The band have sadly been seemingly on permanent hold since that time.
Phil has at various times suggested a new song would be recorded for a Best Of compiled from the two studio album. As of December 2019 this release and the new song have yet to see the light of day.

Delta Deep (2013-Present)

In 2013 Phil began performing and recording with the Blues rock based side band Delta Deep featuring Robert Deleo of Stone Temple Pilots.
Other members include vocalist Debbi Blackwell-Cook and drummer Forrest Robinson.
Following a self-titled debut album in 2015 they released a live album in 2018. Work on new songs followed for an as yet unreleased second studio album.

Solo Album Idea (2018-2019)

In various interviews during 2018 and 2019 Phil suggested he might release his first proper solo album.
It would comprise guest musicians from both Manraze and Delta Deep as time constraints prevent those bands from recording and touring due to his Def Leppard commitments.




phil collen / releases featured on


tours played on

  • All tours since February 1983.

releases featured on

  • All since Pyromania (1983)

instruments played

  • Electric Guitar.
  • Acoustic Guitar.
  • Backing Vocals.
  • Lead Vocals (2015).

other bands/projects



phil collen / latest news

Def Leppard News
8th December 2020

DEF LEPPARD Guitarist PHIL COLLEN Celebrates 63rd Birthday (Photos)

Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen celebrates his 63rd birthday today and a photo gallery is available.

Def Leppard News
12th july 2020

38 Years Ago Guitarist PHIL COLLEN Joins DEF LEPPARD During The PYROMANIA Sessions

Phil Collen joined Def Leppard as their co-lead guitar player in London 38 years ago on this day in 1982.

Def Leppard News
18th February 2020

DEF LEPPARD's PHIL COLLEN On 20/20 Vision Tour/Deviated Septum Surgery

Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen was interviewed recently by Virginia radio to promote the 20/20 Vision tour.





phil collen / tours played on

World Tour 2020
Def Leppard Tour / 2020

The Stadium Tour/2020 Vision Tour 2020

48 shows scheduled from May to October.

World Tour 2019
Def Leppard Tour / 2019

World Tour 2019

43 shows played from March to October.

World Tour 2018
Def Leppard Tour / 2018

World Tour 2018

84 Shows played from March to December.







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