80s Hard Rock Band Set Out To CREATE "Star Wars for the Ears"...Became a #1 HIT | Professor Of Rock
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- čas přidán 13. 07. 2022
- The amazing story behind Def Leppard and their breakthrough hit Photograph from their 1983 smash 10 million selling album Pyromania. Joe Elliott and company had to recruit a new guitarist when their current player was coming to recordings intoxicated. They tapped Phil Collen and he ended up saving the album with killer solos. Super producer Mutt Lange set the band straight and they had their first smash hit… Was the song about a Hollywood starlet? Joe Elliott has told several different stories… Find out which one’s true next.
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#1980s #rock #vinylstory
Some like it hot. Some like it heavy. But with today’s breakthrough hit, you get it both ways. From a blazing inferno of an album, this incendiary rocker glistened with just enough pop sheen to win over mainstream audiences. Allegedly it was inspired by history’s ultimate bombshell blonde... But whether it was about a pop culture pin up didn’t matter half as much as the fact that this song flat out rocked. It’s a classic car stereo, blast it out your speakers track that has to be cranked to 11... coming up... NEXT on the Professor of Rock.
Hey music junkies, Professor of Rock, always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of all time. If you have a top ten list for every music subject under the moon. You’ll dig this channel. .Make sure to subscribe by clicking the red button. Also become an insider on our patreon below.
I’m excited to return to another one of my favorite shows that we do on this channel. It’s called Breakthrough. In this show we breakdown songs, albums or events that kicked open the door to an artist or band’s career and gave them the momentum to rocket to long term success. On previous episodes we have covered Cum on Feel the Noize by Quiet Riot, Nobody’s Fool by Cinderella, and Silent Lucidity by Queensryche. Today we are diving deep into a song that kicked open the door for an up-and-coming band called Def Leppard. The song? Photograph from 1983’s Pyromania.
As Def Leppard gathered at Battle’s Park Gate studios in 1982 to continue work on their third album Pyromania, it was obvious guitarist Pete Willis was out of sync with the rest of the band. Yeah, musically things seemed to be going okay. Pete had already co-written multiple songs for the record and had laid down some rhythm guitar tracks.But at the same time, Willis was sinking deep into an alcoholic stupor. According to lead singer Joe Elliot, Willis was quite a nice chap sober, but he was one hell of a nasty drunk. And as his drinking increased, so did the disruptions in the studio. When Willis started arguing about recording techniques with the band’s producer Mutt Lange, an expert at the peak of his profession, Joe realized something had to give.
This was Def Leppard’s second outing with Lange. And to the guys, he may as well have been another member of the band. Mutt played every instrument except the drums, he was a songwriter, an engineer, and had already produced best-selling albums for AC/DC and Foreigner. Everyone knew they had something massive with Pyromania. And Willis’ behavior, if unchecked, was going to chase Mutt out of the studio and cost them their big break.
Said Joe Elliot, “We knew we were making something really special in the studio, and so when our producer, Mutt Lange, started getting concerned about Pete, we knew something had to give pretty soon... - Zábava
Poll: What artist or band had the best background vocals in rock?
Fleetwood Mac
Queen
Marillion. Always liked Pete Trewavas’ vocals
ELO
10CC
Eagles
Hard to beat what Michael Anthony did for David Lee Roth's career...
Jerry Cantrell
Fleetwood Mac and Queen were pretty awesome with their background vocals. Fleetwood Mac would have to be my top choice, between the two.
Def Leppard is legendary. Tight musicians, killer vocalist, one armed drummer. Getting good direction from Mutt Lange early on was a big plus. Unknown band from Sheffield to #1 Arena and Stadium Band in world, capable of selling out 100,000 seats months in advance. They remain one of my favorite bands of all times.
Phil Collen is a massively underrated guitar player. A super shredder, great singer, great writer, he was a huge part of that band. Especially on hysteria. His playing is like a punk version of Gary Moore, super aggressive picker, yet can play with melody and emotion the next second. Anywho, hats off to Phil. Def Leppard will go down as one of the top rock bands of all time.
Phil’s wonderful.
And he’s got great abs (even at 60 yo)
I remember buying High 'n' Dry in early 1982 and then buying Pyromania about a year later. It was such a tremendous album that was played everywhere in 1983. Still is...
Wore out three tapes of Pyromania back in the day. Had a guy older than me wearing the Pyromania tour shirt in Walmart last month. Hell yeah.
Taking nothing away from “Photograph”.. For me..It was “Bringing on the Heartbreak “ and “High N Dry (Saturday Night)”…Getting cable and MTV was the biggest thing that could happen to a young music fan…Those songs were raw and told the tale of what was to come with “Pyromania”…
Although “Hysteria “ would top them all…It’s those early albums and videos for me…And yes..Whenever “Photograph” comes on it’s an instant right pedal push down for sure…
There's a band called Sum 42, check out the video for their song In Too Deep, at one point there's a shot of a guy diving into a swimming pool wearing red trunks that's definitely the cover of Def Leppard's High n Dry album, they must be fans and had that one shot set up as a nod to them and that album.
I agree!
@@dukecraig2402 Sum 41 :)
@@doublestrokeroll
Well, my grandmother always said "No need being dumb if you ain't gonna show it".
I was 15 when Def Leppard announced their fall tour for Hysteria in the States in 1987. I was a fan of pop but two of my older brother’s friends planned to wait out in front of the Glens Falls Civic center to score front row tickets. There was no TicketMaster in those days. You had to put in the work. They camped out for a couple days but there was a 10 hour stretch where they both needed to be at their jobs. They talked me into holding their place in line for that ten hour stretch. My reward was a free front row ticket! Tesla was the opening act and Def Leppard were amazing. I even touched Joe Elliot’s shoe!😂.
It introduced me to hard rock and I was forever changed. The cost of the ticket then was about $21!
Oh the good old days.
Front row in 87?! And only 15?! I KNOW you were never the same! Loved your story!
photograph for the longing, foolin for the loss. two incomparable masterpieces. lived this and if you understand, you understand.
I love Photograph. It does something to the bittersweet, euphorical part of my brain that is indescribable but Bringin' on the Heartbreak will always be my most favorite Def Leppard song and in my opinion one of the most underrated songs of the rock era
Yeah, Bringin' On The Heartbreak is infectious. The haunting atmosphere draws you into Joe's brain and you start feeling his feelings and experiencing his experience. No hallucinogens required.
Masterful work, for sure, and one of my eternal favorites.
I love both songs! Bringing On The Heartbreak should receive more attention.
This and Round and Round by Ratt...best early 80s rock songs.
Excellent song
Fully agreed and I would add further
1. Listen to the acapella version of Photograph, just the isolated vocal. It's just so amazingly well-written and produced that it would work for any genre.
2. Bringin' on the Heartbreak, though, man. Have you seen the Hysteria rockumentary? It shows the pivotal moment in the studio where Mutt forced Joe to hit those notes. He plays it back to them, in the mix, and everybody's jaw hits the floor.
I just saw Def Lep in Detroit (7/10/22). It was the 20th time I've seen them in concert and they still bring down the house! My oldest sister Karen discovered them when Bringin' on the Heartbreak came out, but I didn't follow them until Photograph came out. They were both our favorite all time band. My sister passed away unexpectedly in April and I had to go to the Stadium Tour to celebrate our love for music and hope that her spirit was somehow there. I was wearing a heart shaped locket with a guitar head across the top that contained a tiny bit of her ashes inside of it. I could feel her next to me, I know she was singing along to every word. I know you're forever connected to your father through music, Adam...and I'm forever connected to my sister the same way!
Key to Photograph’s success is the main guitar lick from Steve Clark! The man was a genius!
Thank you! Riffmaster of Ages. You were the first person to mention him.
Photograph is an absolute masterpiece , a practically flawless song. Pretty much the one song I will never tire of .
Can’t beat those early Def Leppard albums. Pyromania is the best and Photograph is a great track
So good!
Yep!
First album I ever purchased with my own money, well, cassette. 😁
I remember jamming to Photograph on the radio BEFORE it became a hit. Excellent song and album
High & Dry, On thru the night and Pyromania in that order are my favorites.
I wasn't allowed to listen to FM radio when I was young. When my parents divorced, the very first song I heard when I got to turn on the FM stereo was Photograph. needless to say I was hooked from then on. Just saw them last night and they closed with this song and it was great as always. All my kids love this song too and I think that just goes to show that they're music is generational.
We attended their concert two nights ago, they were the 4th of the bands that began with Joan Jett, Poison and Motley Crue. We thought about leaving before Def Leppard took the stage but thankfully we stayed and they were awesome, over 40 years into their career.
Why would you ever consider leaving the show before Def Leppard hit the stage? We picked up tickets for that show. It's coming to the Dallas area on August 28th.
If I was going to have to miss one of them band’s it would definitely be the Crue! I seen them on their Crue fest 2 2009 and they should have been ashamed to have God Smack open for them(Sully wrote crying like a bitch about the Crue, on this tour)!!! Drowning pool opened and they were go as well, and theory of a dead man (first time seeing them and they were impressive), but the Crue should have just stayed in their dressing room! Vince’s voice is basically gone, mic mars was like a zombie with a broken back, and Tommy, well he can still play the fuck outta the drums doesn’t make up for the fact that he’s a FUCKING jerk, that think the world owes him something because he has a little bit of talent! Second worst rock star ever, only one worse than him axel rose!!!
@@Gamevet Not everyone is a Def Leppard fan?
@@doublestrokeroll They are the headline band.
@@Gamevet OK...but some people might not like them, but like Crue, Poison and Joan Jett. Maybe they don't care about seeing Lep but will pay to see the rest. It's not that strange...especially at a show like that where the "openers" are not traditional opening bands.
Pyromania is a masterpiece! I remember cruising on Friday night in my little Toyota truck, blasting it, heading out to the desert to a bonfire keg party… I love the 80’s!
Good old 80s!
Still jam the album. My sister got me into rock and still play out loud when I cruise. Best album ever.
Great memories, my friend. I’d love to travel back to 1983!
I didn't have my license yet at that time I was 13 but yeah going to keg parties it was amazing I remember when the album first came out . Nothing like nothing else it kind of took over
New Mexico, perhaps? 🍻
I saw them on their Pyromania tour in April of 1983. Def Leppard were still an opening act then and Rick Allen still had two arms. They played all their hits and ended the show with a Led Zeppelin cover. Saw them again four months later and they were now the headliner.
Wow! Thanks for sharing.
Awesome!
Opening for Billy Squier? I saw that in March 1983 in Worcester MA.
I remember that high and dry had come out that's some good hits but they were still not stadium sellers and all the sudden it was everywhere and then again 8788 back to that same command of everything
Me too saw them opening for Ratt and a few months later they were the top of the bill with a couple other artist opening and one of which Ratt.
Def Leppard reminds me of a boy I had a crush on for years. He lived in a town 4 hrs away, and i I wrote him and told him I’d be up for a band concert. We planned to meet at the local mall, we were going to all get to go to. Being small town kids, it’s so exciting and we wanted to do everything at once! He met me at the arcade with my best friend and he, with his. Cuz you never do anything without your best friend! He was wearing a jean jacket with a Joe Elliott hair cut, looking shaggy and perfect at the same time. In our shyness of getting reacquainted, we talked about music. I showed him my Bryan Adams cassette and he talked about Def Leppard. He said he wanted to see me again before I left, and I was ALL IN! Later that night he & his friend “borrowed” his mom’s car and came to the motel we were staying at. He got caught by our band director before they made it out of the car. I remember standing on the balcony in the freezing Utah night, watching him speed off, hanging out the window, yelling “he’d call me”. We still keep in touch, now and then. Thirty nine years later, he’s still that beautiful boy that stole a car to come see me. Every time I hear Def Leppard, I think of him. I even own a leather jacket with Pyromania on the back…..🤘🏼🎸😍💋
I saw Def Leppard the first time the came to SA.. they were incredible then and incredible in concert now.. dragged my sister to Madison square gardens 4 years ago.. she loved it!
! was 13 when I first heard Photograph on MTV in '84. A sleep over at a friends house on a Friday night playing Atari on one TV and MTV on the other. I had a huge crush on my friends' older sister. This song came on, I heard the the guitar and drum intro, then the words "I'm out of luck.. out of love..." We all turned and watched the video for the first time. This song changed my teenage years in more ways than one. Photograph to this day stands as my favorite all these years later. My kids tell me that they will play it at my funeral. Pyromania Rules!!
I don’t think there can be, or ever will be, a more perfect Rock album. I was 15 when this album came out, and even though it came out in the middle of the school year, I still associate it with the best summer of my life. The summer of 83 was magical for me, the last summer I had before I had to grow up. No summer job, just hanging with my best friends.
Everyday was hanging out at the mall checking the girls out. Going to the Seven Eleven for a Big Gulp and checking the girls out and going to the Drive In and checking the girls out. What more could you ask for as a 15 year old.
My aunt graduated high school in 1983 and made her way to college the following fall. She said that summer was an extremely fun time for her, aided by great music, of course!
Reminds me of another classic " I asked my Dad where Lilly I could find?" he said "Son now don't be silly, she's been dead since 1929."
"Oh how I cried that night
if only I'd been born in Lilly's time,
it would have been alright."
The Who have been my favorite band for forty years, since the release of "It's Hard."
I've been a fan ever since, collecting most of their back catalog over the years as well as their two new albums. & seeing them live four times, through the years. Def Leppard has been a remarkable band as well, I also have most of their catalog & have been fortunate enough to see them perform live as well. My wife & I thoroughly enjoy watching your shows, & learning so much about our favorite artists & our favorite eras of music.
Thank you Professor of Rock.
Be Lucky, Be Happy.
“Photograph” was huge for me. Up until that time Foreigner was my favorite band. An old friend of mine was playing Photograph on his boom box, and I immediately gravitated to that song. I couldn’t get enough of it. Eventually Def Leppard became my new favorite band, and introduced me to a more heavier rock sound than Foreigner, that I liked. After that, Def Leppard was like a favorite sports team to me. I was buying all the Hit Parader, and Circus Magazines that had Def Leppard on it, or featured them. I remember seeing Joe Elliott winning singer of the year on one of those magazines, and he said he couldn’t hold a candle to Robert Plant.
My all time favorite band. I first saw them in Dallas, TX in May 1983. They were headlining, with Krokus and John Butcher Axis as the opening bands. I had a 4th row floor seat at Reunion Arena and paid $20 for the ticket at Funky Lisa's Rock n Roll Shop in Pleasant Grove, TX. I still have the Q-102 Def Leppard bumper sticker on the box I kept all of my cassette tapes in. I've seen them six other times since then and they never get old. They still put on a great show. "Until next time...and there will be a next time" - Joe Elliott
Someone who remembers the John butcher Axis other than right here in Boston where I'm from and of course John as well. I was always sad he didn't blow up bigger but I mean don't say good night unbelievable song I still play it today. Some of his other songs. There were so many great bands coming out . I saw him a few years ago he still plays I saw him I think in Cambridge still sounds good still kicking ass they were having a like best of Boston Rock event
This album (and song) was a gamechanger for me. Up until this point, I was listening and buying your standard pop rock albums, like Journey, Styx, John Cougar, Toto and so on. One day, I was at my friend's house. His brother had just put a new stereo in his car, and we were listening to cassettes in it. Dave said "Hang on, you've got to hear this one my brother just got. They're called Def Leppard." I thought to myself "Def Leppard? What kind of name is that?!" He put on Photograph, and I was completely blown away. I had never heard anything like it. I saved up my money from mowing lawns, and bought my first copy. It totally opened the door to heavier bands like KISS, Quiet Riot, Judas Priest and so on, and turned me into a 12 year old headbanger. I listen to everything under the sun just about, but all things heavy metal is still my favorite, and it's all because of this record. Because of this, it is still my favorite all time album ever. Great memories every time I play it, and I still play it a lot today.
I can kind of relate it I was just a year older than you I was 13 at the time and I was getting into some of the rock stuff but there was still like the leftover stuff from the '70s you mentioned Styx. Back in Black with a couple years old John cougar mellencamp as he was called back then good stuff you know the police. And I heard a couple of songs from high and dry but when this came out it was just amazing for me not only represented a great album but that was basically the '80s beginning chronologically people think 1980 I think the 80s really started in like 83
@@WhatsCookingTime dont diss journey now. Pre raised on radio they practically invented the power ballad. Their first two albums were mind blowing . Having said that i LOVE def leppard. I saw them in the early to mid 2000's twice and they were amazing still
Yeah I had a similar experience. I heard Rock of Ages when I was 10. That was the summer before 5th grade. I got Pyromania in 5th grade and next year the cassette was worn out. My mom was like I already bought you that tape. I wore out another one over the next year or so. Before that I was listening to the Cars, Devo, Survivor, The Greg Kin band and Men at Work. After getting into Def Leppard I started liking heavier stuff like Motley Crue, Ratt, Iron Maiden, Dokken, all the hair bands. I'm really into Motorhead now but the early Def Leppard stuff (1st 3 albums ) really made an impression on me and I still love that early stuff. I just bought the box set from 1977 to 1982.
@@tommywallbanger Yes!!! That’s awesome! I think I had three cassettes total as well from playing them so much. And I had to replace my record as well since my crappy record player ate the first copy up from playing it so much!
@@sherryscoloringandpaintingcorn no dissing if Journey here. Escape is still one of my favorite albums ever! Just making the example of how it broadened my listening experience!
First time I saw “Foolin” on Friday Night Videos, I was blown away! I couldn’t believe what I had just seen and heard. After that, getting my hands on Pyromania became my life’s mission. I was 9 years old and I’ve honestly listened to this album over 500 times. I’ve seen Def Leppard play live 3 times. Life long fan!
Photograph is my favorite song, period and Def Leppard is still my favorite band. I got into them at the start of high school when Hysteria was released and I loved it. Then, I went to get other albums and when I heard Photograph, it took me back to remembering the video on MTV, it’s been favorite song ever since. That was 36 years ago. First had the chance to see them perform twice during the Adrenalize tour “Seven Day Weekend” tour. I’ve seen them 6 times and looking forward to the seventh time this summer for the Stadium Tour 2024. Please keep the greatest artists and the greatest songs alive Prof!! Rock on!!!🤘
"Pyromania" should've gotten to # 1 on the Billboard album chart-It's a classic!
Agreed! Fantastic album.
Robert John " Mutt " Lange took a year to record & mix Pyromania & after a 2 week holiday took another year to record & mix Heartbeat City for The Cars. Pretty good work ethic from him & his late assistant Mike Shipley.
Everybody thinks that AC/DC had some kind of secret notebook full of lyrics written by Bonn Scott that wound up being Back in Black, that's nonsense.
First of all it's like I explain to people it's a well known fact that Bonn was really burned out at that point and not only was thinking about quitting the band but also got back on heroin after being off of it for something like 7 years, so the thought that he'd been sitting around writing those lyrics is ridiculous.
Who was with Brian Johnson in the Bahamas when those songs were written? Mutt Lange, the most prolific song writer and producer of that era, there's the answer to who helped Johnson write those songs, and Mutt being the guy he is just let those guys take all the credit for the songs because of what they were going through having lost Bonn and wanting to keep things going, that's the answer to that question, not some mysterious notebook full of lyrics written by Bonn Scott.
YES and you know a thing about him that he never give interviews
@@dukecraig2402 Not sure why you're bringing this up on a Def Leppard vid but you're referring to the lyrics. The music was all Angus and Mal. As it always was. The brothers in those days decided to give song writing credits to the lyricist as well but a bit later on they stopped doing that. For example, on Razor's Edge Johnson gets no writing credits.
@@doublestrokeroll
You can't figure that out?
Try starting with the fact that the original post is about Mutt Lang, go from there.
And the OP brought up The Cars in their post, you gonna ask them why they did that when the videos about Def Leppard?
@@dukecraig2402 Dude...you went off on a complete fucking tangent about ACDC just because the guy mentioned one other band that Mutt produced AFTER Lep, to show Mutt's work ethic. You can't figure THAT out? lol..
And they just got better and better!
HYSTERIA WAS INSANE!!! 🤘🤘🤘🤘
Saw them with Tesla for the Hysteria tour. I couldn't hear "normally" for days after. Awesome concert.
Tesla tore it up!! Absolutely the best concert I have ever been to..1988 in Birmingham, Alabama in the round..
During their Vegas residency they opened as Ded Flatbird- the world's greatest Def Leppard cover band. That was beyond epic!!
I was hooked on Def Leppard the first time I heard Bringing on the heartbreak way back when I was in the 11th grade and I'm still hooked. Saw them in concert and they are awesome!! Great episode, Professor!!
PYROMANIA is one of the best albums of all time with some of the best songs of all time. Loved Def Leppard, always will.
I saw them in 1983...even got to meet Steve and Phil before the show....one of the best days of my young life at the time.
Def Leppard is my all time favorite band! Hysteria is my favorite song, it speaks 80s to me! I was 13 when Photograph came on MTV, been hooked ever since!
Was a big Def Leppard since their first album because of an article I read in Circus Magazine. Went to Licorice Pizza and ordered it. The but a Def Leppard jersey from the inser in the record cover. Wore it to school and everybody would ask who it was. When High n' Dry came out I was sold. My first two Def Leppard concerts they were the opening act and even bought tickets from a scalper to see the open for Blackfoot at the Santa Monica Civic. The sat in the rain to see them open for Billy Squire. Saw them 2 more times on the Pyromania tour as they headlined the Forum. I can listen to High n' Dry and Pyromania over and over and not get tired of it.
I grew up listening to Def Leppard. They are still one of my favorite bands. I have their CDs in my car and still rock out to them. Just saw them on the stadium tour and it took my wife and I back to the awesome 80s! Pyromania is an amazing album. There is not a bad song on the entire album. I love it when you can listen to an album straight through and not have to skip a song. Thanks for keeping the music alive Prof. of Rock!
I just love everything about Def Leppard!! They are amazing!
I was in the 8th grade when this was released, but I distinctly remember hearing this for the first time in the 9th grade in the fall of 1983. It was like hearing Juke Box Hero in the summer of 1981 (I was 12). Some songs just change you. A part of me thinks that's why I'm in a rock band at 53.
Awesome!
Proud to say that I was one of the people that helped it go gold.
Photograph, is simply, my favorite song of all time. It seems every riff and beat are perfection.
Fantastic story!! My sister's favorite band since their first album. I surprised her with front row seats in 2019. I may have mentioned this before but...I went their liking the band, I left Loving them. They totally kick azz live!!
At several shows I've been to, I've been seated by people where that was their first Def Leppard concert. I'd tell them how good they were live. Less than halfway through the show, I'd ask them if I lied. They'd say an enthusiastic "no" and I'm pretty sure they left with Def Leppard being their new favorite band. You can't have a bad time at a Def Leppard show!
A bunch of used to work Friday nights at K-Mart, and we’d knock off work around 10:30, so we’d meet at a buddy’s house to hang out - Alex turned on MTV, and the brands new video for Photograph cranked up, I remember everyone just shut up and watched. So cool……
My cousin lived in the city. I lived in a small town about 2 hours away. He would come down spend the summers with me at my grandmas house. One year he brought his Walkman and this cassette . I was hooked on def leopard . He’s was always introducing me to new music. He brought me my first listen to white snake . Slide it in. Many more . Great memories.
THE EPITOME OF ALL ROCK SONGS!!!! Instantly puts a huge smile on my face and my mood seriously shifts into high gear!!!! 🤘😎🤘 The whole album is the soundtrack to the last half of my Senior year in high school. Class of ‘83 ☺️ Really good times!!!!
I FREAKING LOVE this band. Bringing on the Heartbreak is my all-time favorite. Rock of Ages is up there, too. And Rick Allen is why I became a drummer - the Thunder God! This band's story is so inspiring, and they're still together after all these years. Rock on!
🔥🤘😆🤘🔥
Pyromania is one of only two albums that I would listen to as a teenager and they would take me to a place of a kind of darkness-tinged euphoria. So difficult to describe, an epic other-worldly feeling and headspace. The other album was Queen II. Listening on my Walkman in the small hours, it seemed like I was in a magical world and the humdrum daytime world was another place entirely.
Def Leppard is my all time favorite rock band! I saw them in Cincinnati on their Adrenalize tour! Great concert. They had just gotten their round stage.
For me this song is about Veronica Lake, who died to year I was born, so yeah I've only seen her in the movies and photos! Def Lepperd are truly one of the greatest rock bands to ever come out and so many awesome songs! 😎🤘
When you realize Pyromania was only ever outsold by MJ’s thriller, you realize what a big deal this record actually was. I love it, more than Hysteria and that’s due the overplayedness of “Pour some sugar on me” that song gets boring after repeated listens. To me, Love bites, though it was never a single (correct me if I’m wrong), was a stronger track.
But Pyromania definitely fits snugly into the whole “all killer, no filler” category.
Agree 100%
Actually, “Love Bites” was definitely a single, and I believe it was their only number one hit here in America!! I agree though, far exceeds “Pour Some Sugar on Me”- they’ve kind of tainted appreciation for the latter song by continuing to play it so incessantly…
If you can imagine photograph was on the charts with Billy Jean. Both of these are 80's essential classics that were played together at same time when MTV had their heavy duty rotations back in the day. We were so spoiled.
Pyromania was the first record I ever got (for Christmas) that I WANTED! I wore it out and became a huge fan from then on. I remember trying to pull off a bandana like they wore in the Rock of Ages video. Almost 40 years later, I still put it on. I consider it to be one of the greatest records in rock history. It’s just ear candy from start to finish. My only regret was not seeing them on that tour ( was only 12). But, I’ve seen them many times since, and I’m seeing them this Summer in San Diego. Fav tracks on the album are Die Hard the Hunter, Billy’s Got a Gun, Foolin’ and Comin Under Fire.
It was the perfect storm for this album. MTV had just launched and the melodic rockers on this album were destined for eternal 80’s greatness. This album is a literal greatest hits album from beginning to end. It’s no surprise it all that it did so well.
It’s an awesome album, for sure.
Just hard rockers. Those of us remember none of that new agey melodic rock naming.
@@WhatsCookingTime they weren’t calling it that then but it’s definitely more melodic that a lot of early 80’s hard rock. And I was around then too, brother. 😎
Billy's Got a Gun pops into my head every now and then, whole album rocks
@@cheesesteak22 and how about the secret track and the end of the album. 👌🏻
Def Leppard is my all time favorite band.. Photograph could definitely be any famous person who has passed .
So great! For me this song is about every beautiful woman I've seen in the pages of a magazine. Particularly those who were especially beautiful but we're "nameless".
Photograph is a definitive 80's rock classic. This goes for the video aswell as a classic since its the 80's. I remember seeing them for the first time on MTV and thinking, "that's what a kick ass rock and roll band looks like".
My favorite hard rock band ever ! Thanks for another awesome video, Professor !
Just saw DL for the 6th time Tuesday 7/12/2022. Photograph was the last song on their set. After 40 years they still rock the stadiums.
I have my Aunt Carol to thank for introducing me to rock and Def Leppard. And Photograph is definitely my favorite song from them. Thanks for the story Professor!
My friends and I discovered Def Leppard through my buddies older brother too. Pyromania was the first concert I ever went to (Hysteria was the second and third). While we all enjoyed multiple different artists and genres (because it was the 80s), Def Leppard has always been our center.
I have seen these guys five times over the years and they always come to play. They have so many great rocking and melodic songs.
I was a camp counselor at the now closed Camp Olympus, in the Catskill Mountains, in 1983. Every one of the campers in my bunk had the cassette of this album, and it was played on their boom boxes every day. Pyromania was so big, that it was the song played on the loud speaker every morning, right after revele.
Photograph was the song that got me hooked on Def Leppard. It's one of my favourites of all time.
Hey Professor, love your work, and Def Leppard are my favourite band, I was 7 when Pyromania came out. In your videos, I love when you add in what was happening to you and your friends at the time and how the music impacted you back then, it really sets your content apart and over other youtube channels.
Re Def Leppard, my father passed away when I was young, and due to how hard they work, and their integrity, particularly around how they treat other people, I used them as role models and mentors of sorts, to help fill the gap I had. I don't feel like they've ever let me down, and have always given me something to aspire to in how I live my own life.
Definitely one of the best rock albums of all time! My high school girlfriend at the time (Renee) loved them, especially the song "Photograph", and she turned me onto them. Unfortunately for me, my dad took a new job six months later and we moved far away, leaving my love behind. To this day Photograph still always reminds me of her, the wonderful times we shared and the hurt I felt when when I had to leave her behind. I bought the cassette in early 1983 and I wore it out. ;-)
Similar story here. I was a senior in ‘83. My girlfriend got into Madness and broke my heart. Photograph always reminds me of that time. Oh, and thank you Def Leppard for “Love Bites.” 😫 I get it. 🙄 To this day I wish I’d given Madness a fair shake.
I remember my sister bought the Pyromania cassette for her boyfriend. I heard her playing it in her room and was wow'd by it so much i had to go and get my copy the next day. I think i went thru 2 or 3 cassettes wearing them out driving around town drinking with my friends. Great memories!!!
Three here before CD's. Cruising and raising hell must be a American thing. Awesome story man.
You are 100% correct. Pyromania was the template for all 80’s rock that came after. It’s an ideal marriage of kick-ass rock and pop melody. Photograph is one of the most perfect songs ever recorded.
I love the band mostly because my dad listened to them I was introduced to them after their drummer had his accident and I will forever love the loyalty of the band for sticking by him and helping him adapt and learn how to drum from scratch after the accident
Saw Def Leppard in the round with Tesla opening for them in Detroit. Still one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen ♥️♥️
Wow, another great review Adam! My very first Def Leppard experience was the album High n' Dry. I was in my senior high school year and a buddy of mine introduced me to that album. Not long after that Pyromania came out. I was locked in and I too could not stop listening to these guys. I bought every Hit Parader magazine I could find to find out more about the band. I was able to see them live during the Pyromania and Hysteria tours. I proudly wore my Def Leppard British flag shirt. Times I will never forget.
I was 9 when Photograph came out. I loved it. My babysitter would watch MTV in the living room and I'd be be playing in my room. I told her to call me if the video ever came on. Once Steve's guitar riff started she'd yell "Mike!" and I'd come running and jump over the arm of the couch and slide in front of the tv just as Joe said the first lyric.
The solo that got him the gig was Photograph. Elliott stated this in an interview way back in the 80's. He said that Colin came in and did the Photograph solo, and we said, you're in.
I wouldn't put too much stock in what band members say about stuff like this. Contrary to what most fans think, they don't ponder the minutia of details like that. They don't give a shit. He probably just remembers 'oh yeah...Phil played some solo on something and we hired him"..then in the interview just said it was photograph. Especially back in those early interviews.
I Love Your Videos...Learned So Much❤️
Thank you for doing this Adam! This is my all time favourite song. IMO it's the best song ever written. LOVE THIS!
Classic album and a must have for any self respecting rocker. It has more hooks than a tackle box! My favorite is Comin’ Under Fire
Def Leppard is one of the greatest bands. I remember Photograph being all over MTV in 1983 and how incredible the song is. Pyromania was my first Def Leppard album (on cassette), shortly after getting that one I got High N Dry and On Through the Night. They're still making music (released a new album May 27, 2022 called Diamond Star Halos) and still touring.
I love it when The Professor of Rock does a video on Def Leppard. It’s an automatic like~ Def Leppard is LEGENDARY.
I already knew about them, having heard and loved " let it go" in 82. My favorite Leppard stuff is On Through and High N Dry, I even like the 70s demos like " heat street" and " beyond the temple". I will admit though, the title track "Hysteria" is their finest song from a pure songwriter perspective. Their new album is the most impressive they've done since Slang
People always talk about the singles from the album. My favorite is actually Foolin’. Pyromania had excellent album tracks like rock rock till you drop, an action not words
I heard Def Leppard for the first time on a school function. I was nervous about a "job interview" competition I was doing. I listened to "Photograph" over and over while I was getting ready. It helped me to gain control of my faltering nerves. The song is hypnotic and has a current of energy that thankfully I tapped into. I lost the competition, but gained some self-respect.
my brother in law - merely 11 or 12 was playing his tape and I asked "who?" and from there instantly became a fan and as for Mutt a music genius and the band a band of rock brothers who always stood and still stand together through every hardship different members, to this day still rockin' it!
Not only is this one of my favorite videos of the Def Leppard song that introduced me to hard rock back on a hot and humid summer night in 1983, but the use of the 1983 Topps baseball card template for Phil was a master stroke for all of us who grew up collecting baseball cards when we weren't rocking out to Def Leppard or Quiet Riot ❤️
One of the best hard rock songs ever imo. Perfect.
Def Leppard is still my favorite band! When I listen to them I am transported back to 1987 in 7th grade. Great music! Thanks for this story!
Was one of my favorite albums when I was about 14! I wore "Rock Of Ages" out on my record player! Probably skipped most of the others, I loved that song so much. But I do remember all of the songs.
For me, my introduction to the band was Bringing on The Heartbreak. And not just THAT song, but the instrumental that it led into. Just blew me away the first time I heard it all together.
This was by far my fave album of the 80's. I lived and breathed this album, had Def Leppard scrawled on every notebook I owned. I always loved the song Too Late for Love off the album (still do).
same here. Die hard the hunter was always my jam but that album is one that you can just play it from start to finish and there's no bad songs that you have to skip.
@@tommywallbanger Love that song too and you're right. I always listened to it that way too because it was so damn good.
Foolin was one of the first Music Videos I saw after we got MTV. Still my #1 Def Leppard song and one of my all time favorites.
When Pyromania came out I was 16, and I was immediately hooked. Wore the cassette out in my Walkman. Legendary album. Hungry for more, I soon found High ‘n’ Dry. I wore that one out too, and that album seemed a little more raw. To this day, side 2 of High ‘n’ Dry just knocks me out. The transitions from You Got Me Runnin -> Lady Strange -> On Through the Night -> Mirror Mirror -> No No No, are amazing and it’s a great example of how an album side can really flow. Early Def Leppard will always have a spot in my favorite records!
Pyromania album was the best ever and freakin rocks!Photograph was one of my favorite songs,but i loved the whole album though.I remember cruising the streets on Friday & Saturday nights rocking this album .Brings back so many great memories of goodtimes,of music ,friends,partying and hanging out during my High School days.So glad youre keeping the music alive with this channel!#80's !🙂👍🎸
Loved, love still that album...I was 18 and starting college at the time! The sound, music and voice were just like nothing I have ever heard before...could not stop listening to it for months!
I’ve seen them 5 times in the round and I’m seeing them in Las Vegas in the fall. High n Dry & Pyromania were the first albums I memorized every song single. Consistently in my top 100! Excellent clip!
I saw them play just a few years ago (near Boston) and they completely rocked the house! These guys LOVE playing together and putting on a show and man they did not disappoint. Wow!
I always remember trying to find Pyromania when Rock of Ages came out. So many people thought of the biblical song and not the rocker. I finally found it and loved the album. Saw Def a number of years ago after their heyday but the band was still rocking. Always loved this band. Great Video Professor.
Rock of ages…still rollin’!
My First Concert was Def Leppard, in Orlando, Florida, after Rick Allen lost his arm in the crash. He did a 30 minute drum solo, which was awesome.
Def Leppard were the first band I saw play live, I was 13. Photograph and Animal were the encore songs. Kings Hall Belfast '88.
I loves me some Def Leppard. I had Pyromania on cassette. It got a lot of play in my car. "Too Late For Love" is my favorite off this album.
I knew a kid who's father asked me to help.this kid sold drugs and was failing at school.way too far down the wrong road.i got that kid to work for me for a few months to keep him away from his "buddies". I took a tape ghetto blaster and played dep lepard.you should have seen this 17 yrs olds face when photograph played.i started to tell him their story to the best of my knowledge.i then played every def lepard song I had in my collection as i gave the story.before long this young man was asking me many questions about the music cause all he ever knew was gangster rap.when he discovered the drummers story he was inspired.he told me he sold drugs simply due to the fact that he felt he did not have a chance of a future....the last time I saw him he was enrolled to be a police officer and still listens to all of def lepards music.his new circle of friends are awesome and has his back at all times.this man is totally hooked on the 80s music and uses it to inspire children that he encounters.it makes me smile knowing this.
Def Leppard was pretty much my gateway to everything. I had this album on cassette. I was living a "sheltered" life. But the album and the band stuck with me. I saw them live in 88 on the Hysteria tour. It was awesome. They have a special place in my heart. I love a lot of music but Def Leppard really opened up the gates and let the music in. Thanks guys.
I was 12 when this album hit. I couldn't play it enough & the guy I liked was into it too. That made it extra special listening to it.
Thank you, Adam, PoR, for having me as an honorary producer for this video. 🤘🏼🤘🏼
Thanks for listening!!!
The first track I heard from them, which I bought as a single and still have. Still my favourite of theirs.