Accidentally launched glam metal. Denied everything. Sold 100 million records anyway.
Alright. I’m really excited about this one. Not because I’ve suddenly developed a soft spot for perms and leopard-print spandex, but because this marks a turning point in my metal journey: I’m finally stepping out of the NWOBHM trenches and into a new subgenre altogether—Glam Metal. Or Hair Metal. Or, as I suspect it’ll soon be known around here, "What fresh hell is this?"
And who better to be my glitter-stained guide than Def Leppard—the band that connects NWOBHM chaos with MTV airplay, power ballads, and, somehow, 100 million records sold.
NWOBHM: So Long, and Thanks for All the Riffs
Up until now, I’ve been worshipping at the altars of Sabbath, Judas Priest, and Rainbow, while dipping toes into the NWOBHM pool with Motörhead, Girlschool, and Iron Maiden (still the reigning champ—fight me). I’ve flirted with Saxon, Tygers of Pan Tang, Angel Witch, and Diamond Head. Some of it slapped, some of it limped, most of it ended up on a playlist I’ll continue to overplay until I start gatekeeping myself.
But now it’s time to move forward. Into bigger hair, tighter jeans, and more melodrama than an 80s soap opera.
Origins: Born in Sheffield, Dressed for Hollywood
Def Leppard originally formed in 1977 as Atomic Mass, which sounds like a school project gone wrong. Bassist Rick Savage brought in Joe Elliott, who not only claimed the mic but also rebranded the whole operation to Deaf Leopard. Spelling was later sacrificed at the altar of rock and roll, transforming it into Def Leppard—which, credit where credit’s due, does look cooler on a T-shirt.
Elliott and Savage are still in the band today, which is already more consistency than most bands manage. Drummer Rick Allen joined in 1978 and remains a vital part of the band (and honestly, his story deserves its own blog post). Guitarist Phil Collen came on board in 1982, and Vivian Campbell—yes, that Vivian, from Dio—joined in 1992. All in all, a surprisingly stable line-up for a band with this many high notes and low trousers.
Early Buzz, Big Shrugs
Their first proper release, The Def Leppard E.P., got them some airplay on BBC Radio 1, mostly thanks to the single Getcha Rocks Off . The band started building a following, and by 1979, they were being lumped in with the NWOBHM scene. Whether they wanted to be or not.
Thing is, Def Leppard never really identified as metal. Even as they were allegedly helping kickstart the NWOBHM movement alongside Iron Maiden, they were already eyeing the US market—and British fans noticed. Especially when they dropped Hello America, which was basically a musical love letter to their own transatlantic ambitions.
Genre Denial, Loud and Clear
Joe Elliott has made it very clear over the years: Def Leppard doesn’t see themselves as NWOBHM. Or Glam Metal. Or anything, really. They're like the musical version of a shrug.
| "We've had this argument many times. If you put Lemmy, Scott Ian and [Ronnie James] Dio in a room and say 'Heavy metal — DEF LEPPARD, discuss,' they'd all burst out laughing."
— Joe Elliott, professional genre-dodger
Instead, Elliott describes their sound as rock with punk influences, short solos, and pop sensibilities. They were more inspired by Bowie, T. Rex, Slade, and Suzi Quatro than by anything remotely "metal." And honestly? It shows.
Early Albums: Catchy Riffs and Confused Fans
Their debut album On Through The Night (1980) still has that NWOBHM flavour—melodic, catchy, fast, and easy to sing along with. I liked it so much I added five tracks to my playlist without blinking. No shame.
Then came High 'n' Dry (1981), produced by Robert Mutt Lange (also known as Shania Twain’s ex, which is somehow always relevant). This album gave us Bringin’ On The Heartbreak, one of the first "heavy metal" songs to get played on MTV. And yes, I am a sucker for power ballads, so obviously I loved it. I can fully imagine teenage girls in 1982 falling hopelessly in love with Joe Elliott and his cheekbones.
Pyromania: Welcome to the Glitter Explosion
The third album Pyromania (1983) took things nuclear. Photograph became the most requested video on MTV, and Rock of Ages and Foolin’ weren’t far behind. The album sold millions, especially in the US, and whether Def Leppard liked it or not, they’d officially launched the 80s pop-metal movement.
Back home in the UK? Mild indifference. A classic case of "America’s screaming, Britain’s yawning."
Hysteria: Big Hair, Bigger Sales
By the time Hysteria dropped, Def Leppard had left all metal affiliations in the dust. The album sold over 20 million copies worldwide and spawned seven hit singles, including Pour Some Sugar On Me—a song I’ve loved for years, metal or no metal. It’s pure, sugary chaos. And it belongs on every power-cleaning playlist in existence.
Tragedy and Tenacity
It wasn’t all power chords and pyrotechnics, though. In 1984, drummer Rick Allen lost his left arm in a car accident. Instead of replacing him, the band stood by him. Allen learned to drum with a custom electronic kit, using his legs to fill in what his arm could no longer do. By 1986, he was back on stage. Watching him play is genuinely inspiring—even if you’ve got no patience for soppy narratives.
In 1991, guitarist Steve Clark died from alcohol poisoning at just 30. He’d been with the band since the beginning, and his partnership with Phil Collen—affectionately dubbed the "Terror Twins"—was a huge part of their sound and stage presence. Their final collaboration, When Love and Hate Collide, includes Clark’s last solo, recorded just before his death. It’s a lot. It hits hard.
Not Quite Metal, Still Massive
Def Leppard have been labelled everything under the sun: heavy metal, hard rock, glam, pop-rock, MTV darlings, sellouts—you name it. They don’t seem particularly bothered. With over 100 million records sold, 11 studio albums (with a 12th on the way), and two Diamond-certified albums, they’re one of the most successful rock acts of all time. Right up there with The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, and Pink Floyd. No big deal.
So yeah, maybe they weren’t "real metal." Maybe they didn’t want to be. But they still shaped the genre, accidentally or not. And I found it genuinely fascinating to listen to them evolve, deny, and dominate—often all at once.
Next Stop: Hairspray and Heartbreak
Def Leppard is my stepping stone into the mid-80s madness that is Glam Metal. From here on out, it’s tight pants, big hooks, and emotional overcommitment. And honestly? I can’t wait.