Def Leppard Ayr, Scotland 22nd January 1980 Setlist On Through The Night Tour

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Tuesday, 22nd January 1980

Location / Ayr/The Low Green, Scotland
Venue / Ayr Pavilion/Pavilion Theatre

The first and only show by the band in this town.

Another show on the six week UK club tour with Witchfynde and local acts in support. The final show of the five played in Scotland. The most dates played in the country on any tour.

The venue is located by the seafront in The Low Green area of Ayr and about 2.5 miles south of Glasgow Prestwick airport. It was sometimes also called The Pavilion or Pavilion Ballroom.

The first time at this venue which was later to be renamed as Hangar 13 in the 1990s when it became a rave/dance club. The venue was apparently closed after a number of drug related deaths and negative headlines. The building still remains in place and is home to a playgroup called Pirate Petes and a diner.

It hosted concerts in the 70s and up until at least October of 1991 and became Hangar 13 in 1993.

One of the last big rocks acts to play here was Iron Maiden in September 1990 on their 'No Prayer On The Road/Intercity Express Tour' tour. They had also played here in May 1980. It was opened in 1911.

Joe met his long time friend Gordon Shearer at this show who would go on to write Road Reports for the band's website during the 2002/2003 'X/Ten' tour.

Gordon Shearer Quotes - 20th November 2002:

"I first met Def Leppard in January 1980 after their show in my home town of Ayr, Scotland during their first ever headline tour of the UK. I had been a huge fan since the release of their debut single and had already witnessed them support AC/DC at Glasgow Apollo."

"After the Ayr gig I only managed to get a couple of autographs at the venue but was able to find out the hotel they were staying at so off I trouped in the direction of the Darlington Hotel in order to get the full set. I found them encamped in one of the lounges so asked if they didn't mind doing a couple of signatures."

"I sat down beside Joe for an autograph and a couple of words, but those couple of words turned into a marathon conversation. We covered such enthralling subjects as drinking with Bon Scott of AC/DC in a rough bar in Glasgow, how Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders was still incredibly sexy even though she had a dodgy complexion, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, one of Scotland’s best ever major rock acts and one of Joe’s great loves (he was even wearing a stripy SAHB shirt that night) and much more besides."