Friday, 5th August 2022
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43 Years Ago DEF LEPPARD Sign Their First Recording Contract

Def Leppard 1979. Def Leppard 1979

Def Leppard signed their first major recording contract with Phonogram in Dronfield, England on this day in 1979.

The band were signed to the label by 23 year old A&R man Dave Bates who had seen the band play two shows in July.

The Retford show on 26th July and again in Middlesbrough on the 27th.

As Rick Allen was too young to sign himself the other band members signed the contract along with Rick's father Geoff at their family home in Green Lane, Dronfield.

Read a news article below and the story of this event as told by the band in the 1987 'Animal Instinct' biography book.


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Def Leppard 1979.

Read the full 'Recording Contract' signing story in the Lep History section.

This section includes all major historical events and releases.




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