45 Years Ago DEF LEPPARD Play First Public Live Show In SHEFFIELD

Tuesday, 18th July 2023

Deaf Leopard 18th July 1978

Def Leppard played their first ever public live show in Sheffield, England on this day in 1978.

The band's incredible 40 year long live touring career started at 9pm on Tuesday 18th July 1978 in the Mosborough district of Sheffield.

The band had formed from the ashes of Pete Willis and Rick Savage's band Atomic Mass in November 1977 and soon adopted the name Deaf Leopard.

Joe Elliott had dreamt up the band name in art class in 1975 which was later changed to "Def Leppard" after a handful of shows in late 1978.

For this first show "Deaf Leopard" played a school disco event on the outskirts of Sheffield which had been arranged by a promoter called Bootleg Bill. Their only previous "show" was a small rehearsal concert at the Spoon Factory near Bramall Lane at Christmas time in 1977 for around six friends. They played five songs and got an encore.

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