Friday, 29th January 2021
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5 Years Ago DEF LEPPARD's JOE ELLIOTT Hit By Vocal Issues At Sunrise, FL Show

Def Leppard 2016. Screenshot

Def Leppard played their opening show of the year in Sunrise/Fort Lauderdale, FL on this day in 2016 and video footage is available.

The show took place at the BB&T Center and would turn out to be their last before re starting the tour in May.

The band's first time in Sunrise since 9th August 2012 during the Rock Of Ages tour.

The second time in this city and only the third time the band have played in Fort Lauderdale. The previous visits being in July 1999 and January 1993.

'Let's Go' and its intro sequence opened the show as it did for the final few US shows of 2015 and all of the October to December shows elsewhere.

The show was shortened with a number of songs dropped due to Joe's ongoing issues with laryngitis which he picked up just one day before the Hysteria On The High Seas cruise set sail. Issues which caused the postponement of the scheduled show in Greensboro, NC on the 27th.

The show went ahead as planned with mixed reaction from fans. Some suggesting they should have postponed and others praising Joe for pulling through the show.

'Two Steps Behind' was not played. 'Rock! Rock!' and 'Let It Go' were also absent from the set having been played at the last US show in Jacksonville.

One of those being dropped was due to 'Dangerous' making its live debut in the USA. The then current single had been released to radio a week before along with the promo video being posted online.

Joe's voice caused him problems throughout and by the encore Jeff Keith from support act Tesla helped out for 'Rock Of Ages' and 'Photograph'. Phil Collen and Steve Clark performed ROA with Tesla in May 1987. Phil has also guested with Tesla a number of times over the years.

Joe didn't do many of his usual introductions for songs on the night in order to help try to save his voice.


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Visit the Album News section for more news on new music (based on band member quotes).


Def Leppard 2016. Screenshot

Joe Elliott - Explains Voice Issues Before Dangerous

"By way of an explanation if you like. As you can probably tell. I got really sick a couple of days ago. And the voice has fucked off. So do me a favour. Tonight be me. Will you guys be me tonight?. I will do my utmost to sing you along but it's fucked up man. It's gone and - we won't cancel - too many people here. Um we don't cancel. We've got stories to tell. They're just gonna be a little different tonight than they normally are. However we do have a new album out. We would like to play you something. Sing as best we can off the new album. To introduce this one Mr. Phil Collen. Dangerous."

Joe Elliott/Phil Collen - Pre Rock Of Ages Speech

Phil - "Hey let's hear it for Joe I mean that's great".

"Thank you. I can't believe you stayed. Thank you very much for all your understanding. They say it's only rock and roll but it means more to me than that and I can only thank ya for hanging in there. We'll be back. We'll do it again. We'll do it better. Adversity's nothing new to this band. As you are well aware. Between illness and this gentleman at the back here. Stand up Rick Allen. Now we didn't wanna deny you guys these next couple of songs but there's no fucking way on earth I'm gonna be able to sing them on my own. So I'm gonna bring up a friend of ours that we've known since 1987. From Tesla please welcome Jeff Keith. He knows these songs as well as I do and tonight this is your big moment baby. And Rick's gonna introduce this one for ya."

Joe Elliott - End Of Show Speech

"Jeff thank you man."

"I'm overwhelmed. Thank you very much. Well that was different. We will be back and I will be better. I promise you that. Once again thanks everyone. Until next time and there will be a next time. Do us a favour. Don't forget us and we won't forget you. Goodnight."

Def Leppard World Tour 2016 - Show #1 Sunrise/Fort Lauderdale, FL Setlist

  • 00 - Let's Go Intro (PA)
  • 01 - Let's Go

Played for the first time in Sunrise.

  • 02 - Animal
  • 03 - Dangerous

Played for the first time in Sunrise and in the USA.

  • 04 - Foolin'
  • 05 - Love Bites
  • 06 - Armageddon It
  • 07 - Rick Savage Bass Solo/Rock On
  • 08 - Rocket (Single Version)
  • 09 - Bringin' On The Heartbreak (electric)
  • 10 - Switch 625 (Instrumental)
  • 11 - Hysteria
  • 12 - Let's Get Rocked
  • 13 - Pour Some Sugar On Me

  • 14 - Rock Of Ages
  • 15 - Photograph

Jeff Keith from Tesla helped Joe with the lead vocals for these two songs.


Watch some Fan Videos from the show here.

Def Leppard Fan Videos 2016.


Def Leppard 2020.

Def Leppard / Latest Release


Def Leppard / Latest Tour

Def Leppard World Tour 2021


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