View source for Def Leppard

{{Short description|English rock band}}
{{Redirect|Leppard|the animal|Leopard}}
{{About|the band|their 2015 self-titled album|Def Leppard (album) {{!}} ''Def Leppard'' (album)}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Def Leppard
| image             = Def Leppard 2018.jpg
| landscape         = yes
| caption           = Def Leppard band members in 2018: [[Phil Collen]], [[Vivian Campbell]], [[Joe Elliott]], [[Rick Savage]], [[Rick Allen (drummer)|Rick Allen]]
| alias             = {{plainlist|
* Atomic Mass (1976–1977)
* Ded Flatbird (2013)
}}
| origin            = [[Sheffield]], England
| genre             = {{flatlist|
<!--These genres are sourced in the musical style section.-->
* [[Hard rock]]
* [[glam metal]]
* [[pop metal]]
* {{nowrap|[[arena rock]]}}
* [[power pop]]
* {{nowrap|[[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]]}} (early)
}}
| discography       = [[Def Leppard discography|Discography]]
| years_active      = 1977–present
| label             = {{flatlist|
* [[Jugoton]]
* [[Croatia Records]]
* [[Mercury Records|Mercury]]
* [[Universal Music Group|Universal]]
* [[Phonogram Inc.|Phonogram]]
* [[Vertigo Records|Vertigo]]
* [[PolyGram]]
* Bludgeon-Riffola (their own label)
* [[Island Records|Island]]
* [[Frontiers Records|Frontiers]]
* [[Edel AG|earMUSIC]]
}}
| spinoffs          = [[Cybernauts]]
| website           = {{URL|defleppard.com}}
| current_members   = 
* [[Rick Savage]]
* [[Joe Elliott]]
* [[Rick Allen (drummer)|Rick Allen]]
* [[Phil Collen]]
* [[Vivian Campbell]]
| past_members      =
* [[Steve Clark]]<!-- Do ''not'' add "deceased" to Clark's name -->
* [[Pete Willis]]
* Tony Kenning
<!-- Frank Noon was not an official member, please see talk page -->
}}

'''Def Leppard''' are<!--Per WP:ENGVAR, groups in British English criteria are plural. Please do NOT change "are" to "is". --> an English [[Rock music|rock]] band formed in [[Sheffield]] in 1977. Since 1992, the band has consisted of [[Rick Savage]] (bass, backing vocals), [[Joe Elliott]] (lead vocals), [[Rick Allen (drummer)|Rick Allen]] (drums), [[Phil Collen]] (guitar, backing vocals), and [[Vivian Campbell]] (guitar, backing vocals). They established themselves as part of the [[new wave of British heavy metal]] of the early 1980s.

The band's first album, 1980's ''[[On Through the Night]]'', reached the Top 15 in the UK but received little notice elsewhere.  Their second album, 1981's ''[[High 'n' Dry]]'', was produced by [[Robert John "Mutt" Lange|Mutt Lange]], who helped them to define their melodic hard rock style. The album's most popular track, "[[Bringin' On the Heartbreak]]", became one of the first rock videos played on [[MTV]] in 1982. Their next studio album, ''[[Pyromania (album)|Pyromania]]'', the first with Collen replacing guitarist [[Pete Willis]], was released in January 1983, with "[[Photograph (Def Leppard song)|Photograph]]" and "[[Rock of Ages (Def Leppard song)|Rock of Ages]]" both topping the US Rock Tracks chart and reaching the top 20 of the Hot 100. Reaching No. 2 on the US album chart, ''Pyromania'' was certified [[RIAA certification|Diamond]] in the US. The band's fourth album, the more pop-oriented ''[[Hysteria (Def Leppard album)|Hysteria]]'' (1987), topped the UK, US, Canadian and Australian charts and remained on the charts for over two years. It has sold over 15 million copies worldwide, making it one of the [[List of best-selling albums|best-selling albums]] of all time. ''Hysteria'' spawned six Top 20 US singles: The US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] No. 1 "[[Love Bites (Def Leppard song)|Love Bites]]",<ref name="auto">{{Cite magazine |last=Letkemann |first=Jessica |date=2011-12-05 |title=1000 No. 1s: Watch Def Leppard Chat About Topping The Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/1000-no-1s-watch-def-leppard-chat-about-topping-the-hot-100-464825/ |access-date=2024-09-20 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> "[[Pour Some Sugar on Me]]" (US No. 2), "[[Hysteria (Def Leppard song)|Hysteria]]", "[[Armageddon It]]" (US No. 3), "[[Animal (Def Leppard song)|Animal]]" (at No. 6, the biggest UK hit), and "[[Rocket (Def Leppard song)|Rocket]]".

Following the death of guitarist [[Steve Clark]] in 1991, the band recorded their next studio album, ''[[Adrenalize]]'' (1992), as a four-piece before adding Campbell for the subsequent tour. The album reached No. 1 on the UK, US and Australian charts. It contained several hits, including the ''Billboard'' chart-topper "[[Let's Get Rocked]]". The album's third single, "[[Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad]]", was a Top 10 song in the US, UK and Canada. ''Adrenalize'' went on to sell over eight million copies worldwide. The band's 1993 album, ''[[Retro Active]]'', contained the [[Acoustic music|acoustic]] Top 5 hit "[[Two Steps Behind]]". Their greatest-hits album, ''[[Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits (1980–1995)|Vault]]'' (1995), featured the UK No. 2 hit "[[When Love & Hate Collide]]" and reached the Top 10 in several countries. 

As one of the [[List of best-selling music artists|world's best-selling music artists]], Def Leppard have sold more than 100 million records worldwide.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/what-s-on/out-about/video-viva-hysteria-with-def-leppard-s-joe-elliott-1-6032457 |title=VIDEO: Viva! Hysteria with Def Leppard's Joe Elliott|date=10 September 2013|first=Graham|last=Walker|newspaper=[[Sheffield Star]]|access-date=20 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221101206/http://www.thestar.co.uk/what-s-on/out-about/video-viva-hysteria-with-def-leppard-s-joe-elliott-1-6032457 |archive-date=21 December 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> They have received [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] [[RIAA certification|diamond certification]] for two albums, ''Pyromania'' and ''Hysteria'',<ref name="diamond">(26 February 2009). [http://www.newsroomamerica.com/entertainment/story.php?id=446629 Def Leppard Announces US Tour] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306151745/http://newsroomamerica.com/entertainment/story.php?id=446629 |date=6 March 2016}}) ''Newsroom America''. Retrieved 1 March 2010.</ref> making them one of only five rock bands with two original studio albums that have sold more than 10 million copies in the US.<ref>{{cite web|title = Gold & Platinum—RIAA |url = https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=awards_by_artist&col=diamond_units&ord=desc#search_section |publisher= RIAA|access-date = 8 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="ticket" /> Def Leppard were ranked No.&nbsp;31 in [[VH1]]'s "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2000/vh1hardrock1.htm |title=VH1: 100 Greatest Hard Rock Artists |publisher=Rock on the Net |access-date=22 July 2011}}</ref> and No.&nbsp;70 in "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vh1.com/shows/the_greatest/episode.jhtml?episodeID=171750 |title=VH1 100 Greatest Artists of All Time |publisher=VH1 |access-date=22 July 2011 |archive-date=10 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910071803/http://www.vh1.com/shows/the_greatest/episode.jhtml?episodeID=171750 |url-status=dead }}</ref> They were inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=Def Leppard |url=https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/def-leppard |publisher=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame |access-date=25 November 2019}}</ref>

== History ==
=== Atomic Mass and formation (1976–1979) ===
{{multiple image
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| footer = Vocalist [[Joe Elliott]] (left) and bassist [[Rick Savage]] (right), pictured in 2014, are the sole remaining original members of Def Leppard.
| image1 = Def Leppard (15012304605).jpg
| width1 = 170
| image2 = Def Leppard (14825665840).jpg
| width2 = 170
}}

[[Rick Savage]], Tony Kenning, and Pete Doubleday, all students at [[Tapton School]] in [[Sheffield]], South Yorkshire, formed a band called [[List of Atomic Mass & Def Leppard members#Atomic Mass members|Atomic Mass]] in 1976. [[Pete Willis]] joined in 1977, departing briefly but returning full time. The band originally consisted of Doubleday (and later Willis) on guitar, Savage on bass guitar after briefly playing guitar, Kenning on drums, Andy Nicholas on bass and Nick Mackley on lead vocals. Other members to come and go were Paul Holland (vocals), Melanie Davis (guitars, keyboards, violin, bass), Paul Hampshire (lead guitar) and Nick Hawnt (vocals).<ref>Kenning, Tony (2019), My Life Time With Def Leppard and Other Bands, Amazon, p. 14. ISBN 9781999695415</ref> Only 18 at the time, [[Joe Elliott]] tried out for the band as a guitarist following a chance meeting with Willis after missing a bus in November 1977.<ref>{{cite news |title=About Joe and Def Leppard |url=https://www.planetrock.com/on-air/joe-elliott/about-joe-and-def-leppard/ |access-date=13 December 2018 |work=Planet Rock}}</ref> During his audition it was decided that he was better suited to be the lead singer. The band's initial rehearsals took place at [[Portland Works]], and their first gig was in the dining hall in A Block in [[Westfield School, Sheffield|Westfield School]] in [[Mosborough]], Sheffield.<ref>Frame, Pete (1999). ''Pete Frame's Rockin' Around Britain: Rock'n'roll Landmarks of the UK and Ireland''. p.&nbsp;211. Music Sales Group.</ref>

Elliott proposed the name "'''Deaf Leopard'''" which was originally a band name he thought of while designing band posters in art class.<ref name="Rolling Stone">{{cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BA5dezB7Z74 | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211029/BA5dezB7Z74| archive-date=29 October 2021|title=The First Time with Joe Elliott |publisher=Rolling Stone |date=30 April 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>Konow, David (2003). ''Bang Your Head: The Rise and Fall of Heavy Metal'', p.&nbsp;131. Turnaround, {{ISBN|978-0609807323}}.</ref> At Kenning's suggestion, the spelling was slightly modified to make the name seem less like that of a punk band.<ref>Laura S. Jeffrey (2011). Def Leppard: Arena Rock Band. P. 26, 27. Enslow Publishing, LLC,</ref> In January 1978, [[Steve Clark]] joined the band. According to Elliott, he successfully auditioned for the band by playing [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]]'s "[[Free Bird]]" in its entirety.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Prato |first=Greg |title=Steve Clark Biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/steve-clark-mn0000039975 |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=AllMusic |language=en}}</ref>

In November, just prior to recording sessions for a three-song release known as ''[[The Def Leppard E.P.]]'', Kenning abruptly left the band; he later formed the band Cairo. He was replaced for those sessions by [[Frank Noon]]. By the end of the month, [[Rick Allen (drummer)|Rick Allen]], then only 15 years old, had joined the band as its full-time drummer. Sales of the EP soared after the track "Getcha Rocks Off" was given extensive airtime by [[BBC Radio 1]] DJ [[John Peel]], considered at the time to be a champion of [[punk rock]] and [[new wave music]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bronson |first1=Fred |title=The Billboard book of number one hits |date=1997 |publisher=Billboard Books |location=New York |isbn=0823076415 |page=709 |edition=4th}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hann |first1=Michael |title='It had to be raw and dangerous' – Def Leppard, Saxon and Venom on 80s British metal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/may/16/it-had-to-be-raw-and-dangerous-def-leppard-saxon-and-venom-on-the-british-metal-revival |website=The Guardian |date=16 May 2019 |access-date=7 October 2021}}</ref>

Throughout 1979, the band developed a loyal following among British [[hard rock]] and [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] fans and were considered among the leaders of the [[new wave of British heavy metal]] movement.<ref>Macmillan, Malc (2012). The N.W.O.B.H.M. Encyclopaedia. p. 148. Iron Pages Books (3 ed.). Berlin, Germany: I.P. Verlag Jeske/Mader GbR.</ref> Their growing popularity led to a record deal with the major label Phonogram/Vertigo (Mercury Records in the US). Def Leppard's original management, MSB, a local duo consisting of Pete Martin and Frank Stuart-Brown, were fired after Martin and Joe Elliott got into a fistfight over an incident on the road. The band approached [[Peter Mensch]] of Leber-Krebs management, who had booked them on a tour of the UK supporting [[AC/DC]]. Mensch, who admitted that he had had his eye on the band, became their manager.<ref name="veoh.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.veoh.com/watch/v7578164ZNSqXrnq?h1=Rock+Of+Ages+-+The+Def+Leppard+Story |title=Rock of Ages—The Def Leppard Story |publisher=Veoh.com |date=2 May 2008 |access-date=17 April 2014}}</ref>

=== ''On Through the Night'' and ''High 'n' Dry'' (1980–1981) ===
{{main|On Through the Night|l1=''On Through the Night''|High 'n' Dry|l2=''High 'n' Dry''}}

Def Leppard's debut album, ''[[On Through the Night]]'', was released on 14 March 1980. Although the album hit the Top 15 in the UK,<ref name="GB" >{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/21191/def-leppard/ |title=Def Leppard Official Charts |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=13 August 2015}}</ref> many early fans were turned off by the perception that the band was trying too hard to appeal to American audiences by recording songs such as "[[Hello America (song)|Hello America]]" and touring more in the US (supporting [[Pat Travers]], [[AC/DC]], and [[Ted Nugent]]); a performance at the [[Reading Festival]] in August was marred when audience members expressed their displeasure by pelting the band with beer cans and bottles filled with urine. This incident was partially blamed on a cover story in ''[[Sounds (magazine)|Sounds]]'' music newspaper by the journalist Geoff Barton titled, "Has the Leppard changed its spots?", accusing the band of selling out to the American market. In a documentary on the band recorded for [[BBC 2]], Barton recalls feelings of guilt over the story and having a "stand-up row" with the band's manager, Mensch, backstage at the show.<ref name="veoh.com"/><ref>Peter Buckley (2003) [https://books.google.com/books?id=7ctjc6UWCm4C&pg=PT287 The rough guide to rock]</ref><ref>Colin Larkin (1995) ''The Guinness encyclopedia of popular music'', Volumes 1–6. p.&nbsp;1118.</ref> In the documentary series ''[[Metal Evolution]]'', Joe Elliott says that the media had exaggerated the event and all bands on the day had experienced 'abuse' from the crowd.<ref>Metal Evolution, Season 1 Director [[Sam Dunn]]</ref>

The band had by then caught the attention of AC/DC producer [[Robert John "Mutt" Lange]], who agreed to work on their second album, ''[[High 'n' Dry]]'', released on 6{{nbsp}}July 1981. Lange's meticulous approach in the studio helped them begin to define their sound. Despite the album's unimpressive sales figures (it only peaked at number 26 in the UK and 38 in the US), the band's video for "[[Bringin' On the Heartbreak]]" became one of the first metal videos played on MTV in 1982, bringing the band increased visibility in the US.<ref>Daniel Bukszpan, Ronnie James Dio (2003) ''The Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal''</ref> The band continued to use the up-and-coming music television industry to reach fans over the years with their unique videos and the extravagance of their concerts.<ref>Robert Walser. "Def Leppard." ''Grove Music Online''. ''Oxford Music Online''. Oxford University Press. Web. 14 February 2016.</ref> After the album's release, European and American tours followed. The band opened for [[Ozzy Osbourne]] and [[Blackfoot (band)|Blackfoot]].<ref>[http://defleppard.com/band/index.html Band Biography]. DefLeppard.com. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060223063516/http://defleppard.com/band/index.html |date=23 February 2006}}</ref>

=== Lineup changes and ''Pyromania'' (1982–1983) ===
{{See also|Phil Collen|Pyromania (album) {{!}} ''Pyromania'' (album)}}[[File:Def Leppard - Newport Centre 150203 (10) (6864644373).jpg|thumb|upright|Guitarist [[Phil Collen]] (pictured in 2003) joined the band in 1982.|alt=Collen playing guitar]]On 11 July 1982, Pete Willis was fired due to excessive alcohol consumption on the job and was replaced by [[Phil Collen]] of [[Girl (band)|Girl]] the next day. This personnel change took place during the recording of their third album, ''[[Pyromania (album)|Pyromania]]'', which was released on 20 January 1983 and also produced by Lange. The cover artwork depicted a cartoon image of a huge flame emerging from the top floor of a skyscraper, with a [[bullseye (target)|bullseye]] aimed at the flame. The lead single, "[[Photograph (Def Leppard song)|Photograph]]", turned Def Leppard into a household name, supplanting [[Michael Jackson]]'s "[[Beat It]]" as the most requested video on [[MTV]] and becoming a staple of rock radio (holding the number 1 position on the US Album Rock Track Chart for six weeks), and sparked a headline tour across the US.<ref>Bob Batchelor, Scott Stoddart ''The 1980s'' Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007</ref> The second single, '[[Rock of Ages (Def Leppard song)|Rock of Ages]], also reached number 1 on the Rock Tracks chart, with both singles reaching the Top 20 of the Hot 100 ("Photograph" number 12 and "Rock of Ages" number 16), unusual for hard rock songs.

Fuelled by "Photograph", "Rock of Ages", and the third single "[[Foolin']]", ''Pyromania'' went on to sell six million copies in 1983 (more than 100,000 copies every week in that year) and was held from the top of the US charts only by Michael Jackson's ''[[Thriller (Michael Jackson album)|Thriller]]''.<ref>{{cite news|first=Mick |last=Wall |year=2010 |title= Appetite for Destruction: The Mick Wall Interviews |publisher= Hachette UK}}</ref> With the album's massive success, ''Pyromania'' was the catalyst for the 1980s pop-metal movement.<ref name="Pyromania">[http://www.allmusic.com/album/pyromania-r5349 Pyromania: Def Leppard] Allmusic. Retrieved 17 November 2011</ref> In 2004, ''Pyromania'' was [[RIAA certification|certified Diamond]] having sold over 10 million copies in the US;<ref>[https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=tblDiamond Diamond Awards] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725044833/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=tblDiamond |date=25 July 2013}} ''[[RIAA]]'' Retrieved 28 January 2011</ref> it was also certified 7× platinum in Canada, where it had peaked at number 4, its second highest certification. With their music videos becoming a staple of MTV ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' named them among the artists of the [[Second British Invasion]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Anglomania: The Second British Invasion |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/anglomania-the-second-british-invasion-52016/ |access-date=29 April 2019 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> The ''Pyromania'' tour began in England at the [[Marquee Club]] on Wardour Street, [[Soho|Soho, London]] in February 1983. Def Leppard's US tour in support of the album began in March opening for [[Billy Squier]] and ended with a headlining performance before an audience of 55,000 at [[Jack Murphy Stadium]] in San Diego, California in September.<ref name="Leppard concerts"/> As a testament to the band's popularity at the time, a US Gallup poll in 1984 saw Def Leppard voted as favourite rock band over [[the Rolling Stones]], AC/DC, and [[Journey (band)|Journey]].<ref>[https://www.upi.com/Archives/1985/01/04/Rock-drummer-loses-arm/2945473662800/ "Rock drummer loses arm"]. UPI.com. Retrieved 13 December 2018</ref> ''Pyromania'' was not as successful in their native UK where it reached number 18 on the album chart.

=== Rick Allen car accident (1984) ===
{{See also|Rick Allen (drummer)}}
Following their breakthrough, the band moved to [[Dublin]] in February 1984 for tax purposes to begin writing the follow-up to ''Pyromania''. Mutt Lange initially joined in on the songwriting sessions but then suddenly declined to return as producer due to exhaustion. [[Jim Steinman]] of [[Meat Loaf]]'s ''[[Bat Out of Hell]]'' was brought in. However, Steinman worked only briefly with the band, and the recording work was not released.<ref>{{cite web |title= The Dark Knight Returns |url= http://www.jimsteinman.com/darknite.htm |access-date= 27 March 2019}}</ref>

On the afternoon of 31 December 1984, drummer [[Rick Allen (drummer)|Rick Allen]] was involved in a [[car accident]] on the [[A57 road]] in the countryside a few miles west of Sheffield.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rick Allen {{!}} Biography & History |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rick-allen-mn0001913136/biography |access-date=28 May 2020 |website=AllMusic }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Wilkening |first=Matthew |title=The Day Def Leppard Drummer Rick Allen Lost His Arm in Car Crash |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/def-leppard-rick-allen-car-crash-1984/ |access-date=28 May 2020 |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |date=31 December 2014 }}</ref> While trying to pass another car at a high speed, he lost control of his [[Corvette C4]], which hit a dry stone wall and entered a field; his left arm was severed. Doctors initially reattached the arm, but it was later amputated due to an infection.<ref>Fricke, D., and M. Selinger. "To Hell & Back. (Cover Story)." Rolling Stone 629 (1992): 38. Retrieved 20 February 2015.</ref><ref>Stevens, Christine. "Reclaiming the Rhythm: An Interview with Rick Allen." Percussive Notes 08 2002: 54, 56. Retrieved 20 February 2015.</ref>

=== ''Hysteria'' (1985–1989) ===
{{See also|Hysteria (Def Leppard album) {{!}} ''Hysteria'' (Def Leppard album)}}
[[File:DefLappardO2061218-51_(49913641228)_(Cropped).jpg|thumb|After losing his left arm in a car accident, drummer [[Rick Allen (drummer)|Rick Allen]] (pictured in 2018) used his feet to play a custom [[Electronic drum|electronic drum kit]].]]
Despite the severity of the accident, Rick Allen was committed to continuing his role as Def Leppard's drummer. Soon after, Allen realised that he could use his legs to do some of the drumming work previously done with his arms.<ref name="RSHysteria" /> He then worked with [[Simmons (electronic drum company)|Simmons]] to design a custom [[Electronic drum|electronic drum kit]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=60Jde3l7WNwC&dq=rick+allen+def+leppard&pg=PA188 Legends of rock guitar: the essential reference of rock's greatest guitarists] Hal Leonard Corporation, 1997</ref> The other members of the band supported Allen's recovery and never sought a replacement. Allen was placed in a separate studio to practice his new drums. After a few months, Allen gathered the band together and performed the intro to the Led Zeppelin version of "[[When the Levee Breaks#Led Zeppelin version|When the Levee Breaks]]" to showcase his progress to the band. Joe Elliott reports this as being a "very emotional moment". During this period, Mutt Lange returned as producer. Def Leppard brought in [[Jeff Rich]] in August 1986 to play alongside Allen during Def Leppard's warm-up mini tour of Ireland. When Rich turned up late for a gig, he and the band realised Allen could drum alone. Allen's comeback was sealed at the 1986 [[Monsters of Rock]] festival in England, with an emotionally charged ovation after his introduction by Joe Elliott.<ref>[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=def leppard|bio=true}} Def Leppard Biography]. Billboard. Retrieved 17 November 2011</ref>

After over three years of recording, Def Leppard's fourth album, ''[[Hysteria (Def Leppard album)|Hysteria]]'', was released on 3{{nbsp}}August 1987. One of the first singles from the album, "[[Animal (Def Leppard song)|Animal]]", became the band's first Top 10 hit in the UK, reaching No.&nbsp;6 on the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref name=CHT>{{cite book|first1=Neil |last1=Warwick |first2=Jon |last2=Kutner |first3=Tony |last3=Brown |year=2004 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ib4MyAIpe3MC&q=when+love+and+hate+collide+%232+UK+Chart&pg=PT268 |title=The complete book of the British charts: singles & albums |publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=9781844490585 }}</ref> "Animal" also started their run of [[Def Leppard discography#Singles|ten consecutive]] [[Billboard Hot 100|US ''Billboard'' Hot 100]] Top 40 singles.<ref name="BillboardSinglesChart">[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=def leppard|chart=all}} Def Leppard: Song Chart History] Billboard. Retrieved 17 November 2011</ref> The next single off ''Hysteria'', its mid-tempo title track, became the band's first Top 10 single in the US, and, peaking at number 13, their highest-charting song in Canada to that date. ''Hysteria'' topped the [[UK Album Charts]] in its first week of release, and spent 105 weeks on the chart.<ref name=CHT/> Initial US album sales were relatively slow (compared to ''Pyromania'') until the release of the fourth single, "[[Pour Some Sugar on Me]]". The song hit No.&nbsp;2, on the Hot 100 and ''Hysteria'' finally reached the top of the [[Billboard 200|US ''Billboard'' 200]] in July 1988.<ref name="BillboardAlbumChart"/> Although "Pour Some Sugar On Me" was not initially a big hit in other countries (number 18 in the UK, number 22 in Canada, and number 26 in Australia), it has come to be regarded as the band's [[signature song]], and was ranked No.&nbsp;2 on [[VH1]]'s "100 Greatest Songs of the 80s" in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2006/vh180s.htm |title=VH1: 100 Greatest Songs of the 80s |publisher=Rock on the Net |access-date=22 July 2011}}</ref>  ''Hysteria'' also topped the album charts in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Norway, at No. 10, was their first album to chart in Germany, and was eventually certified Diamond in sales in the US and 13× Platinum in Canada.

The band's UK success saw them nominated for the [[List of Brit Awards ceremonies#1988|1988 Brit Award]] for Best British Group.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}} In October 1988, the power ballad "[[Love Bites (Def Leppard song)|Love Bites]]" reached number one on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name="BillboardSinglesChart"/> About reaching No. 1 with "Love Bites", Elliot reflected: "It's strange because we’d been to No. 1 with the album. So now we wanted a No. 1 single because we'd never had one. So it was like, 'come on! come on!' When we got there, it was, as you can imagine, a 'yes!' moment."<ref name="auto"/> It was a Top 10 hit in several other countries, including reaching number six in Canada. In January 1989, the band scored another US Top five hit with "[[Armageddon It]]", and by spring of 1989 the final single "[[Rocket (Def Leppard song)|Rocket]]" was in the Top 15 in the US<ref name="BillboardSinglesChart"/> and several other countries. Wanting to give fans something new after the massive radio and video airplay for not only the seven singles but also the album tracks that radio DJs were playing off the album, the band performed "Tear It Down", a Hysteria [[B-side]] at the [[1989 MTV Video Music Awards]].

''Hysteria'' is one of only a handful of albums that has charted seven singles or more on the US Hot 100: "Women" (No. 80), "Animal" (No. 19), "Hysteria" (No. 10), "Pour Some Sugar on Me" (No. 2), "Love Bites (No. 1), "Armageddon It" (No. 3), and "Rocket" (No. 12).<ref name="BillboardSinglesChart"/> Aside from "Women", these same songs all made the Top 25 on the UK Singles chart. It remained on the charts for three years and has sold over 15 million copies worldwide, making it one of the [[List of best-selling albums|best-selling albums]] of all time.<ref name=erg>{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/music/news/article.cfm?c_id=264&objectid=10539947&pnum=0 |title=One giant Leppard |last=Kara |first= Scott |date=30 October 2008 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=27 September 2011}}</ref> Equally successful was the accompanying 16-month ''[[Hysteria (Def Leppard album)|Hysteria]]'' tour, in which the band performed [[Theatre in the round|in the round]]. This concept proved wildly popular with fans (as seen in the videos for "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and "Armageddon It") and was used again for the ''[[Adrenalize]]'' tour.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tee for two |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=baaFL4PyjS0C&q=def+leppard+in+the+round+tour&pg=PA23 |page=23|access-date=27 March 2019 |work=Spin magazine|date = February 1988}}</ref>

At the 1989 [[Brit Awards]] held at the [[Royal Albert Hall]] in London, Def Leppard were again a nominee for Best British Group, and the band performed "Pour Some Sugar on Me" at the ceremony.<ref>[http://www.brits.co.uk/taxonomy/term/427 Def Leppard—Performance at Royal Albert Hall in 1989] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730165229/http://www.brits.co.uk/taxonomy/term/427 |date=30 July 2013}} Brits.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2012</ref><ref>[http://www.brits.co.uk/node/2730 Best British Group—1989 Brit Awards] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730164055/http://www.brits.co.uk/node/2730 |date=30 July 2013}} Brits.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2012</ref> At the 1989 [[American Music Awards]], Def Leppard won Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist, as well as Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Album (for ''[[Hysteria (Def Leppard album)|Hysteria]]'').<ref>[http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1989/amas.htm 16th American Music Awards] ''Rock on the Net'' Retrieved 28 January 2011</ref>

=== ''Adrenalize'', ''Retro Active'', and ''Slang'' (1990–1996) ===
{{main|Adrenalize|l1=''Adrenalize''|Retro Active|l2=''Retro Active''|Slang (album)|l3=''Slang'' (album)}}

Following ''Hysteria'', the band quickly set out to work on their fifth album, hoping to avoid another lengthy gap. [[Steve Clark]]'s alcoholism worsened to the point that he was constantly in and out of [[Drug rehabilitation|rehab]]. Recording sessions suffered from this distraction, and in mid-1990, Clark was granted a six-month leave of absence from the band. Clark died from a mix of prescription drugs and alcohol on 8{{nbsp}}January 1991, in his London home.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=53iA5w5sR8wC&q=steve+clark+def+leppard&pg=PA303 |title=The Tombstone Tourist: Musicians |first=Scott |last=Stanton |page=303 |date= 2 September 2003|publisher=Pocket Books |access-date=30 March 2017|isbn=9781416595755}}</ref> The remaining band members decided to carry on and recorded the album as a four-piece, with Collen mimicking Clark's style on his intended guitar parts.

Def Leppard's fifth album, ''[[Adrenalize]]'', was finally released on 31 March 1992. The album simultaneously entered at number one on both the UK and US album charts, staying number one on the latter for five weeks, while also reaching the summit on the Canadian and Australian charts and hitting No. 8 in Germany.<ref name="BillboardAlbumChart">[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=def leppard|chart=Billboard 200}} Def Leppard: Album Chart History] Billboard. Retrieved 17 November 2011</ref><ref>Roberts, David (2006). [[British Hit Singles & Albums]]. London: Guinness World Records Limited</ref> The first single, the anthemic "[[Let's Get Rocked]]", was an instant hit and remains the band's highest-charting song ever in several countries, including the UK (No. 2), Canada (No. 3), Australia (No. 6) and Germany (No. 22), while reaching No. 1 on the US Rock Tracks chart and No. 15 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. The band performed the song at the [[1992 MTV Video Music Awards]] where it was nominated for [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Video of the Year|Best Video of the Year]].<ref>[http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/1992/mtvvmas.htm 1992 MTV Video Music Awards] Rock on the Net. Retrieved 17 November 2011</ref> Like with ''Hysteria'', several singles were released off ''Adrenalize'', including the rocker "[[Make Love Like a Man]]", the ballad "[[Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad]]" and the mid-tempo "[[Heaven Is]]", each of which made the Top 15 in the UK, with "Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad" being the most successful track in Canada (No. 7) and on the US Hot 100 (No. 12) . Another single, the mid-tempo "[[Stand Up (Kick Love into Motion)]]", was a hit in Canada, peaking at No. 11, and also reached No. 1 on the US Rock Tracks chart, edging out "Make Love Like a Man" (No. 3) as the second most successful track off the album on US rock radio.

[[File:Def Leppard - Bournemouth BIC 301003 (32) (6864389185).jpg|thumb|left|upright|Guitarist [[Vivian Campbell]] in 2003. He joined Def Leppard in 1992.]]
In a period between late-1991 and early 1992, auditions for another guitarist commenced. Among the guitarists who auditioned included [[Adrian Smith (musician)|Adrian Smith]], [[John Sykes]], and [[Gary Hoey]]. Ultimately, the band chose [[Vivian Campbell]] in 1992, formerly of [[Dio (band)|Dio]] and [[Whitesnake]]. In April 1992, Def Leppard appeared at [[The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert]] at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]], London, performing a three-song set of "Animal", "Let's Get Rocked" and [[Queen (band)|Queen]]'s "[[Now I'm Here]]" with guitarist [[Brian May]].<ref>[http://www.ultimatequeen.co.uk/live/queen4.htm#1992freddietribute 1992 The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert] Ultimate Queen. Retrieved 17 November 2011</ref> Joe Elliott later performed "[[Tie Your Mother Down]]" with the remaining members of Queen and [[Guns N' Roses]] guitarist [[Slash (musician)|Slash]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7ctjc6UWCm4C&q=freddie+mercury+tribute+concert+def+leppard&pg=PT288 |title=The Rough Guide to Rock |date=28 October 2003 |access-date=22 July 2011|isbn=9781843531050 |last1=Buckley |first1=Peter|publisher=Rough Guides }}</ref> Another world tour followed but the band's fortunes began to be affected by the rise of [[alternative rock]], including [[grunge]]. Amidst the increasing popularity of alternative rock, the band decided to balance their original image as rebellious rock stars with a slightly friendlier energy, combining heavy metal with melodies and hooks more reminiscent of pop music.<ref>{{cite news |title=Party time, all the time, with Def Leppard |id = {{ProQuest|109008893}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/grove/music/49145?q=def+leppard+1992&search=quick&pos=5&_start=1 |title=Def Leppard |access-date= 4 February 2017}}</ref> On 6{{nbsp}}June 1993, Def Leppard performed the first ever rock concert at the [[Don Valley Stadium]] in their home city of Sheffield before an audience of over 50,000.<ref name="Leppard concerts">Def Leppard: The Definitive Visual History. p. 109. Chronicle Books, 2011</ref>

A collection of B-sides and unreleased tracks recorded between 1984 and 1993, called ''[[Retro Active]]'', was released in October 1993, preceded by the success of the acoustic ballad "[[Two Steps Behind]]" (from the [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]] film ''[[Last Action Hero (soundtrack)|Last Action Hero]]'').<ref>{{cite web |title=Def Leppard biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/def-leppard-mn0000193320/biography |website=Allmusic |access-date=15 December 2018}}</ref> The song charted in many countries, reaching Top&nbsp;5 in Canada and peaking at No. 12 in the US, where it was their last significant hit song. Another single from ''[[Retro Active]]'', "[[Miss You in a Heartbeat]]", was also successful in Canada (No. 19) while a cover of ''[[Sweet (band)|Sweet's]]'' "[[Action (Sweet song)|Action]]" was popular in the UK, reaching No. 14. ''Retro Active'' made the Top 10 in the UK, US, and Canada and has sold 3&nbsp;million copies worldwide to date. In 1995, Def Leppard issued their first greatest hits collection, ''[[Vault: Def Leppard Greatest Hits (1980–1995)]]'', which reached number{{nbsp}}3 in the UK, Top 10 in several other countries, and eventually sold over 5&nbsp;million copies in the US.<ref name=CHT/><ref>[http://music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart-watch/week-ending-june-12-2011-albums-the-tortoise-amp-the-hare.html Week Ending 12 June 2011. Albums: The Tortoise & The Hare] Yahoo. Retrieved 1 February 2012</ref> Alternate track listings of the album were issued for North America, the UK, and Japan. The compilation included a new track, the power ballad "[[When Love & Hate Collide]]", which became their biggest ever hit in the UK, hitting No.&nbsp;2 on the [[UK Singles Chart]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.everyhit.com/searchsec.php |title=UK Top 40 Hit Database |publisher=everyHit.com |access-date=22 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012195559/http://www.everyhit.com/searchsec.php |archive-date=12 October 2008}}</ref> while also hitting No. 6 in Canada., their last major hit single in both countries, but barely charted in the US.

On 23 October 1995, the band entered the ''[[Guinness Book of World Records]]'' by performing three concerts on three continents in one day (Tangiers, Morocco; Sheffield, England; and Vancouver, Canada).<ref>''[[The Guinness Book of Records]], 1997'' p.272</ref> ''[[Slang (album)|Slang]]'', released in May 1996, marked a drastic musical departure for the band by featuring darker lyrics and a stripped-down alternative rock edge. The band rehearsed and played the songs together in the studio instead of recording parts separately, resulting in a much more live-sounding album.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Newman|first1=Melinda|title=Def Leppard Shifts Gears With "Slang"|magazine=Billboard |volume=108|date=6 April 1996|issue=14|pages=12, 18}}</ref> The US audience reception for ''Slang'' and its [[Def Leppard Slang Tour|subsequent tour]] was a major drop-off from a decade earlier, although ''[[Q Magazine]]'' nonetheless listed ''Slang'' as one of their Top Ten Albums of 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/qlists.html#1996|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060104040314/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/qlists.html#1996|url-status=usurped|archive-date=4 January 2006|title=Q lists|publisher=Rocklist.net|access-date=23 October 2010}}</ref>  The album only reached No. 14 on the US album chart, and although the track "[[Work It Out (Def Leppard song)|Work It Out]]" reached No. 6 on the US Rock Tracks chart, neither it or any of the other singles released off the album charted on the Hot 100.  For the first time, a Def Leppard studio album peaked higher in the UK than in the US as it hit No. 5 there, with two singles, the album's title track (No. 17), and "Work It Out" (No. 22) performing well on the UK singles chart.  In Canada, "Work It Out" was a Top 10 single and while the album only peaked at No. 12, it eventually still went double platinum in sales.

===''Euphoria'', ''X'', and ''Yeah!'' (1997–2007)===
{{main|Euphoria (Def Leppard album)|l1=''Euphoria'' (Def Leppard album)|X (Def Leppard album)|l2=''X'' (Def Leppard album)|Yeah! (Def Leppard album)|l3=''Yeah!'' (Def Leppard album)}}

[[VH1]] revived the band's fortunes in the US in 1998 by featuring them on one of the first episodes of ''[[Behind the Music]]''. Re-runs of the episode yielded some of the series' highest ratings and brought the band's music back into the public consciousness (following years of burial by the alternative rock climate). The episode was even parodied on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''. In an effort to capitalise on this new momentum, Def Leppard returned to its classic sound with the 1999 album ''[[Euphoria (Def Leppard album)|Euphoria]]''. The first single, "[[Promises (Def Leppard song)|Promises]]", reunited the band with Mutt Lange and hit the US Mainstream Rock Track charts at No.&nbsp;1 for three weeks although it did not receive much play on Top 40 radio; it was also a moderate hit in the UK and Canada. ''Euphoria'' peaked at No. 11 in both the UK and US, and at No 14 in Germany, although it was less successful in Canada and Australia.

[[File:Def Leppard - Wolverhampton 190203 (11) (6832397247).jpg|thumb|right|Def Leppard performing in [[Wolverhampton]] in February 2003.]]
On 5 September 2000, Def Leppard were inducted into [[Guitar Center#Hollywood's RockWalk|Hollywood's RockWalk]] on [[Sunset Boulevard]] by their friend [[Brian May]] of [[Queen (band)|Queen]].<ref>{{cite web | title = List of all the rockwalk/inductees | publisher = Guitar Center's Hollywood Rockwalk | url = http://www.rockwalk.com/inductees | access-date = 13 December 2018 | archive-date = 28 September 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100928050734/http://www.rockwalk.com/inductees/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> In 2001, VH1 produced and aired ''Hysteria – The Def Leppard Story'', a biopic that included [[Anthony Michael Hall]] as Mutt Lange and [[Amber Valletta]] as Lorelei Shellist (Steve Clark's girlfriend). The docudrama covered the band's history between 1977 through 1986, recounting the trials and triumphs of Rick Allen and Steve Clark.

Def Leppard's eighth album, ''[[X (Def Leppard album)|X]]'', saw the band's musical direction moving more towards pop and further away from the band's hard rock roots. ''X'' ultimately became the band's least successful release, peaking at No. 11 on the US ''Billboard'' 200.<ref>{{cite web|url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p4062|pure_url=yes}}|title = Allmusic (Def Leppard charts and awards) Billboard albums}}</ref> No. 14 on the UK Albums Chart,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artists/|title=Artists|website=Officialcharts.com}}</ref> No. 12 in Canada, and No. 19 in Germany. Its first single, "[[Now (Def Leppard song)|Now]]", reached the Top 30 in the UK and Canada but missed the US Hot 100, only reaching No. 26 on the US Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

An expanded and updated best-of collection, ''Best Of'', was released internationally in October 2004. The North America-only version, ''Rock of Ages—The Definitive Collection'', was released the following May. Def Leppard participated at the [[Live 8]] [[Live 8 concert, Philadelphia|show in Philadelphia]] and toured in the summer with [[Bryan Adams]]. In 2005, the band left their long-time management team, [[Q Prime]], and signed with HK Management.<ref>{{cite news |title=Def Leppard Part Ways With Longtime Management |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/def-leppard-part-ways-with-longtime-management/ |access-date=27 March 2019 |work=Blabbermouth}}</ref>

On 23 May 2006, Def Leppard released an all-covers album titled ''[[Yeah! (Def Leppard album)|Yeah!]]''. The disc pays homage to classic rock songs of their childhood, originally recorded by [[Blondie (band)|Blondie]], [[The Kinks]], [[The Sweet|Sweet]], [[Electric Light Orchestra|ELO]], and [[Badfinger]] among others. Their cover of "[[How Does It Feel (Slade song)|How Does It Feel]]" by [[Slade]] was used as a non-album B-side. It debuted at No.&nbsp;16 in the US, their tenth consecutive Top&nbsp;20 album.<ref name="BillboardAlbumChart"/> The band toured to promote the album with [[Journey (band)|Journey]] from June through November 2006 in Europe, the UK, and the US.<ref>{{cite web |title=Def Leppard YEAH! Tour 2006 (Dates/Setlists) |url=http://www.deflepparduk.com/tour2006.html |website=Def Leppard Tour History |access-date=7 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207152500/http://www.deflepparduk.com/tour2006.html |archive-date=7 December 2023 |url-status=live |language=en}}</ref>

The band, along with [[Queen (band)|Queen]], [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]], and [[Judas Priest]], were the inaugural inductees of [[VH1 Rock Honors]] on 31 May 2006.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Cohen|first=Jonathan|date=6 April 2006|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/58826/vh1-rock-honors-to-salute-kiss-queen|title=VH1 Rock Honors To Salute Kiss, Queen|magazine=Billboard|access-date=23 December 2017}}</ref> During the show, [[The All-American Rejects]] paid homage to the band with a cover of "Photograph". Soon afterwards, they embarked on a US tour with Journey. That October, ''Hysteria'' was re-released in a two-disc deluxe edition format, which combined the original remastered album with B-sides, remixes, and bonus tracks from single releases. Def Leppard began their Downstage Thrust Tour, on 27 June, which took them across the US and into Canada.<ref>{{cite news |title=Def Leppard: 'Downstage Thrust Tour' Opening Night Setlist Revealed |url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/def-leppard-downstage-thrust-tour-opening-night-setlist-revealed/ |access-date=28 March 2019 |work=Blabbermouth}}</ref>

=== ''Songs from the Sparkle Lounge'' (2008–2010) ===
{{main|Songs from the Sparkle Lounge|l1=''Songs from the Sparkle Lounge''}}

On 25 April 2008, Def Leppard released their first album of new studio material in six years, ''[[Songs from the Sparkle Lounge]]''. The album debuted at No.&nbsp;5 on the ''Billboard'' 200 in the US. The first single was entitled "Nine Lives" and featured country singer [[Tim McGraw]], who co-wrote the song with Joe Elliott, Phil Collen, and Rick Savage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=604&vid=177850|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016073548/http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?artist=604&vid=177850|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 October 2007| title=Sherman Halsey—Nine Lives| publisher=MTV| access-date=27 April 2008}}</ref>

[[File:Def Leppard (4121621780).jpg|thumb|right|Def Leppard performing in [[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]] in September 2009.]]
A tour in support of the album began on 27 March 2008 in Greensboro, North Carolina,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defleppard.com/tour/tour_2008.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218072922/http://www.defleppard.com/tour/tour_2008.asp|url-status=dead|title=Def Leppard.Com|archive-date=18 December 2007}}</ref> with Styx and [[REO Speedwagon]]. They also played several European rock festivals. An arena tour of the UK took place in June in which the band co-headlined with Whitesnake and were supported by [[Black Stone Cherry]]. The band then returned to Europe before coming back for a second leg of the UK tour in June. The first of these dates was at the Glasgow SECC on 17 June. Again they were joined by Whitesnake; however, hard rock band [[Thunder (band)|Thunder]] supported at some of these shows. Black Stone Cherry continued to support most of the dates, including some of the Thunder ones. Six shows which were cancelled during the USA/Canada leg of their world tour due to illnesses affecting Joe Elliott and Phil Collen were rescheduled and played in August of that year. On 11 June, Def Leppard announced further dates for their 2008 World Tour. The extension saw them visit Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Whitesnake continued to support Def Leppard for their Indian and Japanese dates. Def Leppard toured 41 US cities plus Toronto during mid-2009 with [[Poison (American band)|Poison]] and [[Cheap Trick]] and also headlined the [[Download Festival]] at [[Donington Park]], England to a sell-out crowd of 83,000 with [[Whitesnake]] and [[ZZ Top]].<ref name="Leppard concerts"/>

In October 2008, Def Leppard played with country star [[Taylor Swift]] in a taped show in [[Nashville, Tennessee]], in a show called [[CMT Crossroads]]: Taylor Swift and Def Leppard. This was released as a DVD on 16 June 2009 exclusively at Wal-Mart.<ref name=tay>{{cite web|url=http://defleppard.com/news/newsItem.asp?id=180 |title=PRESS RELEASE—CMT CROSSROADS: TAYLOR SWIFT and DEF LEPPARD on DVD 16 June |publisher=Defleppard.com |access-date=22 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214033850/http://defleppard.com/news/newsItem.asp?id=180 |archive-date=14 December 2010}}</ref> The release was the best-selling DVD of the week, and the 10th best-selling Wal-Mart music release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://defleppard.com/news/newsItem.asp?id=194 |title=CROSSROADS is Wal-Mart's best-selling DVD this week |publisher=Defleppard.com |access-date=22 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101214034448/http://defleppard.com/news/newsItem.asp?id=194 |archive-date=14 December 2010}}</ref> In October 2009, the band announced that they would be cancelling the last leg of the 2009 North American tour, a total of 23 shows. The band cited, "unforeseen personal matters", as the reason for the cancellations.<ref name=cancel/> At the time, the band denied rumours about a break-up, saying, "We're not splitting. Not at all. We often joke, what else would we do? You just can't imagine doing anything else."<ref name=cancel>[https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=8856780 "Def Leppard Cancels Third Leg of Tour"] ''[[The Associated Press]]''. Retrieved 3 February 2010.</ref><ref name=breakup>[http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/Def-Leppard-dismiss-split-rumours.6264898.jp Def Leppard dismiss split rumours ahead of Sheffield gig] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100706200051/http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/Def-Leppard-dismiss-split-rumours.6264898.jp |date=6 July 2010}} ''Sheffield Telegraph''. Retrieved 3 May 2010.</ref>

=== Touring, ''Viva! Hysteria'' (2011–2014) ===
{{main|Viva! Hysteria|l1=''Viva! Hysteria''}}

After taking a year off from touring in 2010, the band announced on 22 February 2011 that they would be releasing their first live album in the summer. ''[[Mirror Ball – Live & More]]'', a two-disc live album, with three new studio tracks. It was released in parts of Europe on 3{{nbsp}}June, the rest of Europe on 6{{nbsp}}June, and on 7{{nbsp}}June in the US; it was announced at the same time that Def Leppard would perform at the [[Download Festival]] on 10 June 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=154360 |title=DEF LEPPARD: Live Album Title Revealed; DOWNLOAD Festival Appearance Announced |access-date=23 February 2011 |date=22 February 2011 |work=Blabbermouth.net |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121209053015/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=154360 |archive-date=9 December 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Of the three new studio tracks, two were released as singles, the first single being "[[Undefeated (Def Leppard song)|Undefeated]]" released in April 2011.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/472802/def-leppard-record-new-songs-for-mirrorball-live-album-in-june |title=Def Leppard Record New Songs for 'Mirrorball' Live Album in June |access-date=7 March 2011 |date=2 March 2011 |magazine=Billboard.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305165309/http://www.billboard.com/news/def-leppard-record-new-songs-for-mirrorball-1005054212.story |url-status=live |archive-date=5 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=156670 |title=DEF LEPPARD: New Single 'Undefeated' Available For Streaming |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=12 April 2011 |access-date=13 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824035322/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=156670 |archive-date=24 August 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Def Leppard Allstate Arena 7-19-12.JPG|thumb|left|Def Leppard performing an acoustic set in [[Rosemont, Illinois|Rosemont]], 2012]]
Def Leppard embarked on a [[Mirror Ball Tour|two-month US tour]] in the summer of 2011 with [[Heart (band)|Heart]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=153605 |title=DEF LEPPARD To Make 'Major' Announcement Soon |publisher=Roadrunnerrecords.com |access-date=22 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320001341/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=153605 |archive-date=20 March 2011}}</ref> as well as another seven shows in Australia in October with [[The Choirboys (band)|The Choirboys]] and Heart,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.triplem.com.au/sydney/music/news/def-leppard-australian-tour-dates-2011/ |title=Def Leppard Australian Tour Dates 2011 |publisher=Triple M |date=7 July 2011 |access-date=26 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201181135/http://www.triplem.com.au/sydney/music/news/def-leppard-australian-tour-dates-2011/ |archive-date=1 February 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> two shows in Japan in November,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=159968 |title=DEF LEPPARD: Japanese Dates Announced |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=27 June 2011 |access-date=26 January 2013 |archive-date=21 February 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221055607/http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=159968 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and six shows in the United Kingdom in December with [[Steel Panther]] and [[Mötley Crüe]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=162582 |title=DEF LEPPARD, MÖTLEY CRÜE, STEEL PANTHER To Join Forces For U.K. Tour |work=Blabbermouth.net |date=30 August 2011 |access-date=26 January 2013 |archive-date=21 February 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221053923/http://blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=162582 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The next year, they toured with [[Poison (American band)|Poison]] and [[Lita Ford]] from 20 June through 15 September, dubbed the "Rock Of Ages 2012 Tour".<ref name="Def Leppard & Poison 2012 tour">{{cite web |url=http://www.defleppard.com/news/2012/02/09/massive-summer-tour-special-guest-poison |title=Def Leppard & Poison 2012 tour |date=10 February 2012 |access-date=10 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213044838/http://www.defleppard.com/news/2012/02/09/massive-summer-tour-special-guest-poison |archive-date=13 February 2012}}</ref><ref name="Def Leppard tour with Poison and Lita Ford">{{cite web |url=http://www.defleppard.com/news/2012/03/09/us-tour-w-poison-lita-ford-1st-leg-dates-announced |title=U.S. Tour w/ Poison & Lita Ford—1st Leg Dates Announced! |date=9 March 2012 |access-date=11 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312024109/http://www.defleppard.com/news/2012/03/09/us-tour-w-poison-lita-ford-1st-leg-dates-announced |archive-date=12 March 2012}}</ref>

The year after, Def Leppard played an 11-show residency at the [[Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (Las Vegas)|Hard Rock Hotel and Casino]] in Las Vegas, Nevada from 22 March through to 13 April 2013. The residency, referred to as [[Viva! Hysteria (concert residency)|Viva! Hysteria]], featured a two-part show, with the first half featuring Def Leppard opening for themselves, under the alias "Ded Flatbird", (jokingly called the best Def Leppard cover band in the world), when they played songs they very rarely play live, going back to "Good Morning Freedom", a B-side from the single "Hello America" released in February 1980, an era usually left untouched by the band. The opening set varied each night, from playing the best hits from albums like ''On Through the Night'', ''Slang'', and ''Euphoria'', to being the entire first half of ''High 'n' Dry''. The second half, and "main event" was Def Leppard, as themselves playing their best-selling album, ''Hysteria'', from start to finish. A live album, also titled ''[[Viva! Hysteria]]'' was released on 22 October 2013. This was the first time the band had played an album live from start to finish.<ref>Mansfield, Brian. (12 November 2012) [https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2012/11/12/def-leppard-hysteria-las-vegas/1696779/ Def Leppard setting off 'Hysteria' with Las Vegas run] ''[[USA Today]]''. Retrieved 12 November 2012.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/def-leppard-las-vegas-hysteria-for-live-album |title=Def Leppard to Record Las Vegas 'Hysteria' Shows for Live Album |publisher=Ultimateclassicrock.com |date=12 March 2013 |access-date=17 April 2014}}</ref> The band has re-recorded several hits and even the entire album ''Hysteria'' in an effort to circumvent their record label from future royalties, though of these re-recordings, only "[[Rock of Ages (Def Leppard song)|Rock of Ages]]", "[[Pour Some Sugar on Me]]", and "[[Hysteria (Def Leppard song)|Hysteria]]" have been released.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/News/en-us/Def-Leppard-Release-Re-Recorded-Hysteria.aspx |title=Def Leppard Release Re-Recorded "Hysteria" |publisher=.gibson.com |date=21 March 2013 |access-date=17 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201135017/http://www2.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/News/en-us/Def-Leppard-Release-Re-Recorded-Hysteria.aspx |archive-date=1 February 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/def-leppard-re-recording-hit-songs-to-wrestle-back-career-from-record-label/ |title=Def Leppard Re-Recording Hit Songs to 'Wrestle Back Career' From Record Label |publisher=Ultimateclassicrock.com |date=10 January 2013 |access-date=17 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/def-leppard-universal-recording-hits-356397 |title=Pour Some Sugar Again: Why Def Leppard is Rerecording Hits |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |date=8 January 2012 |access-date=17 April 2014 |first=Shirley |last=Halperin}}</ref>

On 11 February 2014, the band released a remastered deluxe edition of their 1996 album ''Slang'' after much delay. The album, still coveted by many loyal fans of the band, now features 30 tracks including demos, B-sides, and unreleased material.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5901144/def-leppard-slang-remastered-1996-album |title=Def Leppard Revisits Overlooked Album: 'It Went Against the Grain' |magazine=Billboard |access-date=17 April 2014}}</ref> From 23 June 2014 to 31 August 2014, Def Leppard and [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] toured 42 cities, with one dollar per ticket donated to such military charities as [[Wounded Warrior Project]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://downriversundaytimes.com/2014/03/22/celebrity-extra-243/|title=Celebrity Extra|last=Elavsky|first=Cindy|publisher=[[King Features]]|date=22 March 2014|access-date= 5 June 2014}}</ref> Def Leppard contributed one song, "[[Helen Wheels]]", to the [[Paul McCartney]] tribute album ''[[The Art of McCartney]]'' released on 18 November 2014. Joe Elliott also contributed another track, "[[Hi, Hi, Hi]]". At certain recent points in time the band had projects, such as a cartoon and a documentary, in development. However, these projects seem to have been shelved indefinitely. The band had originally planned to do another residency in Las Vegas, this time in honour of ''Pyromania'' (called ''Viva! Pyromania''), but due to the "Heroes 2014" tour with Kiss, and the recording of their new studio album, the project had been pushed back indefinitely.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5840318/def-leppard-viva-pyromania-residency-las-vegas-new-studio-album-2014 |title=Def Leppard Plots 'Pyromania' Residency In Las Vegas; New Studio Album In View |magazine=Billboard |access-date=27 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.deflepparduk.com/2014newsjan84.html |title= Vivian Says Pyromania Residency Will Not Happen In 2014 |publisher=deflepparduk |access-date=27 June 2014}}</ref> The new album was originally planned to be an EP, but the set-list increased to 15 songs by June 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/phil-collen-delta-deep-def-leppard/ |title=Phil Collen Talks Delta Deep Side Project, Progress on New Def Leppard Album |publisher= Ultimate Classic Rock |date= 16 June 2014 |access-date= 15 November 2014}}</ref> The album was released on 30 October 2015 with a tour following.<ref>[http://www.virginmedia.com/music/news/story/2014/06/10/def-leppard-plan-new-album-and/ "Def Leppard plan new album and UK tour"]. Virgin media, 10 June 2014.</ref>

===''Def Leppard'', ''Diamond Star Halos'' and ''Drastic Symphonies'' (2015–2023)===
{{main|Def Leppard (album)|l1=''Def Leppard'' (album)|Diamond Star Halos|l2=''Diamond Star Halos''}}

In December 2014, the band announced a 13-date Canadian tour in April and May 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.axs.com/news/def-leppard-announce-2015-spring-tour-of-canada-32239 |title=Def Leppard announce 2015 spring tour of Canada |work=AXS |date=9 December 2014 |access-date=3 September 2015}}</ref> This was followed in February 2015 with the announcement of a 2015 US summer tour with [[Styx (band)|Styx]] and [[Tesla (band)|Tesla]] from June to October 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Def Leppard Set To Tour The U.S. This Summer with STYX & TESLA |url=http://www.defleppard.com/news/2015/02/11/def-leppard-set-tour-us-summer-styx-tesla |website=DefLeppard.com |access-date=12 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212182143/http://www.defleppard.com/news/2015/02/11/def-leppard-set-tour-us-summer-styx-tesla |archive-date=12 February 2015}}</ref> The tour was then extended to include dates in Japan and Australia throughout November, and a tour of the UK and Ireland with Whitesnake in December. Def Leppard then returned to North America with REO Speedwagon and Tesla in early-2016.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Def Leppard Announces Massive 2016 North American Tour With REO Speedwagon & Tesla |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/def-leppard-2016-tour-date-north-america-live-reo-speedwagon-tesla-6890849/ |access-date=27 March 2019 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>

The eleventh studio album, titled ''[[Def Leppard (album)|Def Leppard]]'', was recorded in 2014 and 2015, and released on 30 October 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.grandforksherald.com/accent/entertainment/3825899-qa-def-leppards-joe-elliott |title=Q&A with Def Leppard's Joe Elliott |newspaper=Grand Forks Herald |date=27 August 2015 |access-date=28 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911021148/http://www.grandforksherald.com/accent/entertainment/3825899-qa-def-leppards-joe-elliott |archive-date=11 September 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The band released the lead single from their self-titled album on 15 September 2015, titled "Let's Go", with a music video for the song being released on 30 October.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/def-leppard-lets-go/ |title=Listen to Def Leppard's New Song, 'Let's Go' |website=Ultimateclassicrock.com |date=15 September 2015 |access-date=30 March 2017}}</ref> The 14-track album debuted at number 10 in the US and number 11 in the UK.<ref>Caulfield, Keith. [https://www.billboard.com/pro/chris-stapleton-soars-to-no-1-on-billboard-200-albums-chart/ "Chris Stapleton Soars to No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart After CMAs"], [[Billboard.com]], 8 November 2015.</ref>

During the break following their 2015 tour, Def Leppard led the ''Hysteria on the High Seas'' concert cruise aboard the ''[[MSC Divina]]'' in January 2016. Joe Elliott became ill with laryngitis on the night of their cruise performance.<ref name="Illness"/> This led to the band performing without Elliott for the first time in their history. Vivian Campbell and Phil Collen sang lead vocals on two songs of the shortened seven song set in addition to two songs with vocals by [[Andrew Freeman (musician)|Andrew Freeman]] and two more with [[Eric Martin (American singer)|Eric Martin]] and [[Kip Winger]].<ref name="Illness">{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/joe-elliott-forced-to-sit-out-def-leppard-cruise-show-last-in-line-mr-big-winger-singers-step-in/ |title=Joe Elliott Forced To Sit Out Def Leppard Cruise Show; Last In Line, Mr. Big, Winger Singers Step In |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=27 January 2016 |access-date=30 March 2017}}</ref> in addition to this, Campbell and Freeman's [[Last in Line]] bandmate [[Jimmy Bain]], former bassist of [[Dio (band)|Dio]] died of lung cancer aboard the ship the same night, causing Last in Line to cancel their show the following day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/former-rainbowdio-bassist-jimmy-bain-dead-at-68/ |title=Former Rainbow/Dio Bassist Jimmy Bain Dead At 68 |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=24 January 2016 |access-date=30 March 2017}}</ref> Back on land, Elliott struggled through the first concert of the 2016 tour, resulting in [[Tesla (band)|Tesla]]'s Jeff Keith joining Elliott on lead vocals. The following day's concert was also postponed "due to illness", with Rick Allen stating on Twitter "The Doctor basically said that if Joe continues to sing without resting his throat for a month he might do permanent damage."<ref>{{cite tweet |last=Allen|first= Rick |author-link=Rick Allen (drummer) |user=rickallenlive |number=693809757522677760 |date=31 January 2016 |title=Rick Allen The Doctor basically said that if Joe continues to sing without resting his throat for a month he might do permanent damage.. 🍞💩🍞 |access-date=30 March 2017}}</ref> By July 2016, the band were performing regularly again and intended to complete 48 dates.<ref name="nuvo">{{cite web |url=http://www.nuvo.net/indianapolis/def-leppards-joe-elliott-on-life-death-and-new-songs/Content?oid=4086296 |title=Def Leppard's Joe Elliott on Life, Death and New Songs |last=Watson |first=Paige |work=[[Nuvo (newspaper)|NUVO]] |date=1 July 2016}}</ref> When the tour stopped at [[DTE Energy Music Theatre]] in [[Clarkston, Michigan]], on 15 July, the show was recorded for future release. On 10 February 2017, the band released ''And There Will be a Next Time{{nbsp}}... Live from Detroit'', a double live album and concert video.<ref>{{cite web|title=And There Will be a Next Time ... Live from Detroit|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/and-there-will-be-a-next-time-live-from-detroit-mw0003012306/releases|website=Allmusic|ref=21 October 2017}}</ref> In August 2017, the band celebrated the 30th anniversary of ''Hysteria'' by releasing a collector's edition box. The singles were also re-released on vinyl.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defleppard.com/hysteria-30th-anniversary-editions-now/|title=Hysteria 30th Anniversary Editions Out Now—Def Leppard|date=4 August 2017|website=Defleppard.com|access-date=3 June 2018}}</ref>

[[File:DefLepRAH250318-56 (26174950317).jpg|thumb|left|Def Leppard performing at a charity concert for the [[Teenage Cancer Trust]] held at the [[Royal Albert Hall]] in 2018.]]
In January 2018, Def Leppard announced they would embark on a 58-date North American tour with [[Journey (band)|Journey]].<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Rachel |last=George |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/def-leppard-journey-tour/ |title= Def Leppard and Journey Co-headline on North America Tour |magazine= [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date= 18 January 2018 |access-date= 19 January 2018}}</ref> The tour included ten dates in baseball stadiums, a first for the band, with special guests Cheap Trick. The tour was highly successful, as the bands played in front of more than a million fans in North America in just three months, marking the tour out as one of the most successful in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/def-leppards-north-american-tour-journey-played-million/|title=Def Leppard's North American Tour With Journey Played To A Million {{!}} uDiscover|website=Udiscovermusic.com|access-date=25 October 2018|date=21 October 2018}}</ref> In addition, the group's [[Def Leppard discography|discography]] was made available for streaming and digital download after a deal was reached between the band and [[Universal Music Group]].<ref>{{cite web |first= Annie |last=Zaleski |url= http://ultimateclassicrock.com/def-leppard-albums-stream-download |title= Def Leppard's Catalog Finally Available To Stream and Download |publisher= [[Ultimate Classic Rock]] |date= 19 January 2018 |access-date= 19 January 2018}}</ref>

On 30 November 2018, the band released a new two-disc best of compilation, ''[[The Story So Far – The Best Of]]''. In addition to 34 of Def Leppard's greatest hits, the collection featured the band's new cover of the [[Depeche Mode]] hit "[[Personal Jesus]]" (which was originally released in July 2018 for [[Spotify Singles]]), the new Christmas track "We All Need Christmas", and the new remix of "Rock On". On the same day, a new limited edition, 10-disc vinyl box set featuring all of the 7" singles from the Hysteria album was released.<ref>[https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/def-leppard-hits-story-so-far/ "Def Leppard To Release New Greatest Hits 'The Story So Far' And 10-Disc Vinyl Box 'Hysteria: The Singles"]. UdiscoverMusic.com. Retrieved 13 December 2018</ref> The band finished the year off with a sell-out tour of the UK and Ireland titled Hysteria & More Tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/whats-on/music-nightlife/def-leppard-2273433|title=The Def Leppard interview ahead of their Nottingham gig|first=Kevin|last=Cooper|date=29 November 2018|website=Nottinghampost|access-date=14 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/def-leppard-metro-radio-arena-15531921|title=Def Leppard at the Metro Radio Arena: 'A rock show for the ages'|first=Ian|last=Johnson|date=11 December 2018|website=Chroniclelive.xo.uk|access-date=14 December 2018}}</ref> They embarked on a world tour in 2019 beginning with the [[Sweden Rock Festival]] on 6{{nbsp}}June.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/def-leppard-rock-hall-induction-8490132/|title=Def Leppard Reacts to Rock Hall Induction: 'We Care Now'|magazine=Billboard|date=13 December 2018|access-date=18 December 2018}}</ref> In March 2019, it was announced that the band would undertake a second Las Vegas residency titled Def Leppard Hits Vegas—The Sin City Residency.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defleppard.com/rick-allen-talks-art-rock-hall-vegas-residency/|title=Rick Allen Talks His Art, Rock Hall, Vegas Residency And More|date=21 March 2019|website=Def Leppard|access-date=27 March 2019}}</ref> The box set ''[[The Early Years 79-81]]'' was released in March 2020, featuring remastered versions of the band's first two albums plus a variety of live recordings, B-sides, and studio outtakes from the 1979 to 1981 period.

On 4 December 2019, the band announced they would be touring with [[Mötley Crüe]], [[Poison (American band)|Poison]], and [[Joan Jett]] on [[The Stadium Tour]] in summer 2020,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/def-leppard-motley-crue-poison-and-joan-jett-the-blackhearts-the-stadium-tour-details-revealed/ |title=Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, Poison and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts: 'The Stadium Tour' Details Revealed |newspaper=Blabbermouth.net|date=4 December 2019}}</ref> which was later rescheduled to 2021,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defleppard.com/stadium-tour-update/ |title=Stadium Tour Update |website=Def Leppard Official Website |date=1 June 2020}}</ref> and then to 2022 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.defleppard.com/the-stadium-tour-update/ |title=Stadium Tour Update |website=Def Leppard Official Website |access-date=10 June 2020}}</ref>

On 15 March 2022, Def Leppard announced their twelfth studio album, ''[[Diamond Star Halos]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/def-leppard-to-release-diamond-star-halos-album-new-single-to-arrive-on-thursday/|title=Def Leppard To Release 'Diamond Star Halos' Album; New Single To Arrive On Thursday|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=15 March 2022|access-date=16 March 2022}}</ref> The album is named after a lyric in the [[Marc Bolan]]-penned [[T. Rex (band)|T. Rex]] song "[[Get It On (T. Rex song)|Get It On]]".<ref>{{cite news |last=Gallucci |first=Michael |date=25 May 2022 |title=Def Leppard, ''Diamond Star Halos'': Album Review |work=Ultimate Classic Rock |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/def-leppard-diamond-star-halos-album-review/ |access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref> On 17 March, the band released the lead single, "Kick".<ref>{{cite web |first=Joe |last=DiVita |url=https://loudwire.com/def-leppard-kick-song-lyrics-diamond-star-halos-album/ |title=Def Leppard Debut Kickin' New Song 'Kick' + Announce 'Diamond Star Halos' Album |website=Loudwire |date=17 March 2022 |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref> The album released on 27 May, receiving moderate to positive reviews, reaching Number 10 on the US [[Billboard 200]]. 'Diamond Star Halos' is the band's highest-charting album since 1992's [[Adrenalize]].

In January 2023, Joe Elliot was featured on a new version of [[Ghost (Swedish band)|Ghost]]'s single [[Spillways (song)|Spillways]] released as Ghost and Def Leppard.<ref>{{cite web |title=Spillways, by Ghost, Def Leppard |url=https://ghost.bandcamp.com/album/spillways |access-date=27 February 2023 |website=Ghost}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ghost Unveil New Version of "Spillways" Featuring Def Leppard's Joe Elliott: Stream |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/ghost-unveil-version-spillways-featuring-150705415.html |access-date=27 February 2023 |website=www.yahoo.com |date=26 January 2023}}</ref>

On 16 March 2023, a teaser video was uploaded to the official Def Leppard YouTube channel, announcing an album titled ''[[Drastic Symphonies]]''. The album was released on 19 May and featured 16 tracks from previous albums reworked, stripped, or re-recorded. All tracks feature newly composed orchestra combined with most of the original vocals, performed by the [[Royal Philharmonic Orchestra]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/def-leppard-royal-philharmonic-drastic-symphonies-out-now/|title=Def Leppard Release Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Collab ''Drastic Symphonies''|website=UDiscoverMusic|last=Peacock|first=Tim|date=19 May 2023|access-date=26 May 2023}}</ref> The album reached number 4 on the UK album chart, making this their highest chart position for many years.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

===Upcoming thirteenth studio album (2024–present)===
On 13 June 2024, Def Leppard released its first song in two years, "Just Like 73", featuring a guest guitar solo by [[Tom Morello]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/def-leppard-releases-new-single-just-like-73-featuring-tom-morello|title=DEF LEPPARD Releases New Single 'Just Like 73' Featuring TOM MORELLO|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=June 24, 2024|date=June 13, 2024}}</ref> When asked that same month on [[Sirius XM]]'s ''Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk'' if it is a one-off single or the seed of the band's next album, guitarist [[Phil Collen]] said, "Oh, it's absolutely the seed of another Def Leppard record. I mean, it was a leftover from the album before, but it was also the start of a new album. So, without a doubt. [Joe and I] write all the time. We send each other things. Sav gets in on there. Just between the three of us, there's just a lot of stuff floating around already. So we've, yeah, got a bunch of stuff. It's really exciting. And it's a great place to be. It's never that thing where, 'Well, we've got to sit down and write an album.' It's, like, 'Wow, I can't wait to play this to the guys and see what the reaction is.' And we keep pushing the boat out even further." He also mentioned a possible 2025 or 2026 release date for the new album, "You know how these things go. We have these tours and everything, but we've got a new song. So that's really exciting. So that'll be on the go pretty soon."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/phil-collen-says-just-like-73-single-is-absolutely-the-seed-of-another-def-leppard-album|title=PHIL COLLEN Says 'Just Like 73' Single Is 'Absolutely The Seed Of Another DEF LEPPARD' Album|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=June 24, 2024|date=June 24, 2024}}</ref>

== Musical style and influences==
[[File:Def Leppard (6263086859).jpg|thumb|upright|Joe Elliott is known for his distinctive raspy singing voice.<ref>{{cite news |title= Standing the test of time |url= http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/news/20170426/standing-test-of-time |newspaper= Tuscaloosa News |date= 21 October 2017}}</ref>]]

Def Leppard has a "catchy" and "guitar-driven" musical style,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Def Leppard Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More... |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/def-leppard-mn0000193320#biography |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=AllMusic |language=en}}</ref> described as [[hard rock]],<ref name="allmusic genres">{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |title=Def Leppard Biography |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/def-leppard-mn0000193320/biography |access-date=15 April 2014 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>{{sfnm|Eddy|2011|1p=120|Eudeline|2014|2loc="Def Leppard • High 'n' Dry"|Hoffmann|2005|3p=1346|Larkin|2011|4loc="Def Leppard"|5a1=Phillips|5a2=Cogan|5y=2009|5loc="Def Leppard"}} [[glam metal]],<ref>{{cite web |last=McPadden |first=Mike |date=25 September 2015 |title=The Hair Metal 100: Ranking the '80s Greatest Glam Bands—The Final 20! |url=https://www.vh1.com/news/9y8tt7/the-hair-metal-100-part-5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629182417/https://www.vh1.com/news/9y8tt7/the-hair-metal-100-part-5 |archive-date=29 June 2022 |access-date=9 October 2016 |publisher=VH1. Viacom}}</ref> [[pop metal]],<ref name=":0">{{cite web |author=Guitar World Staff |title=Top 20 Hair Metal Albums of the Eighties |url=http://www.guitarworld.com/top_20_hair_metal_albums_of_the_eighties?page=0,0 |work=[[Guitar World]] |access-date=15 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004060642/http://www.guitarworld.com/top_20_hair_metal_albums_of_the_eighties?page=0%2C0 |archive-date=4 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Peake |first=Steve |title= Top 10 Hair Metal/Pop Metal Songs of the '80s |url=https://www.liveabout.com/hair-metal-pop-metal-songs-of-the-80s-10675 |publisher= Liveabout.com |access-date=2 March 2014}}</ref> [[arena rock]],{{Sfn|Phillips|Cogan|2009|p=66}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.liveabout.com/top-arena-rock-artists-of-the-80s-10697 |title=Top Arena Rock Artists of the '80s |publisher= Liveabout.com |access-date=2 March 2023}}</ref> and [[power pop]],<ref name="allmusic genres"/> while their early work has been characterized as [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]].<ref name=":0" /> The band's music combines hard rock, [[Arena rock|AOR]], pop and heavy metal elements, with its multi-layered, [[Vocal harmony|harmonic vocals]] and its melodic [[guitar riff]]s. In addition, making a concession to popular tastes of its time, ''[[Slang (album)|Slang]]'' featured a sparser sound and [[alternative rock]] feel.{{Sfn|Phillips|Cogan|2009|p=68}} Though they were often considered one of the top bands of the [[new wave of British heavy metal]] movement of the late 1970s, the band disliked the branding, stating: "We didn't agree that our music was anything like [[Iron Maiden]]'s."<ref>{{cite magazine|title= Def Leppard Reflects on the 'Early Years' and Why Those Iron Maiden Comparisons Were 'Tiresome' |first=Jon |last=Wiederhorn |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/def-leppard-reflects-on-early-years-interview-9344191/|magazine=Billboard|date=27 March 2020 |access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref>

In the mid-1980s, the band were associated with the growing glam metal scene, mainly due to their mainstream success and glossy production.<ref>{{cite web |first=Mike |last= McPadden |title= The Hair Metal 100: Ranking the '80s Greatest Glam Bands—The Final 20! |date= 25 September 2015 |publisher= VH1. Viacom |url= https://www.vh1.com/news/9y8tt7/the-hair-metal-100-part-5 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220629182417/https://www.vh1.com/news/9y8tt7/the-hair-metal-100-part-5 |url-status= live |archive-date= 29 June 2022 |access-date= 21 October 2017}}</ref> ''[[Pyromania (album)|Pyromania]]'' has been cited as the catalyst for the 1980s pop-metal movement.<ref name="Pyromania"/> Def Leppard, however, expressed their dislike of the "glam metal" label as well, as they thought it did not accurately describe their look or musical style.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://heavymetalmusic.biz/2007/07/06/def-leppard-craves-respect-in-interview/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927141913/http://heavymetalmusic.biz/2007/07/06/def-leppard-craves-respect-in-interview/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=27 September 2007 |title=Def Leppard craves respect in interview |publisher=heavymetalmusic.biz |date=5 July 2007 |first=Cody |last=McDevitt |access-date=30 April 2014}}</ref> By the release of the ''[[Hysteria (Def Leppard album)|Hysteria]]'' album, the band had developed a distinctive sound featuring electronic drums and effects-laden guitar sounds overlaid with a multi-layered wall of husky, harmonised vocals. According to Joe Elliott, the band is influenced by "everything from pure pop to downright hardcore rock".<ref>{{cite magazine|title= How Def Leppard Rode a Love of Pop Into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame |first=Brian |last=Hiatt |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/def-leppard-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-772563/|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=23 June 2015 |access-date=13 February 2021}}</ref> He has cited [[Ian Hunter (singer)|Ian Hunter]] and [[Mott the Hoople]] among the band's early influences.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/def-leppards-joe-elliott-wants-mott-the-hoople-in-the-rock-hall-im-definitely-on-a-mission-151846411.html|title=Def Leppard's Joe Elliott wants Mott the Hoople in the Rock Hall: 'I'm definitely on a mission'|website=Yahoo.com|date=9 October 2019 }}</ref> Def Leppard themselves have been cited as an influence by a wide range of musical artists, including [[Matt Nathanson]]<ref>{{cite episode |title=Alter Bridge & Matt Nathanson |series=That Metal Show |network=[[VH1]] |url=http://www.vh1.com/video/that-metal-show/full-episodes/alter-bridge-matt-nathanson/1722204/playlist.jhtml |season=3 |number=5 |date=15 February 2014 |access-date=19 January 2015 |archive-date=19 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119094603/http://www.vh1.com/video/that-metal-show/full-episodes/alter-bridge-matt-nathanson/1722204/playlist.jhtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> and [[Taylor Swift]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Taylor Swift Calls Rocking with Def Leppard 'A Dream'|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20231489,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010081156/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20231489,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 October 2008|agency=People|date=23 June 2015}}</ref>

==Legacy==
[[File:Sheffield Legends Def Leppard.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[Sheffield Legends]] plaque in their home city of [[Sheffield]], England, installed in 2006.]]
With ''Pyromania'' and ''Hysteria'' both [[RIAA certification|certified Diamond]] by the [[RIAA]], Def Leppard are one of only five rock bands with two original studio albums selling over 10&nbsp;million copies each in the US, alongside [[the Beatles]], [[Led Zeppelin]], [[Pink Floyd]], and [[Van Halen]].<ref name="ticket">Cohen, Jane and Grossweiner, Bob. (9 January 2008). [http://www.ticketnews.com/Def-Leppard-Continues-North-American-Tour01897 "Def Leppard Continues North American Tour"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614171925/http://www.ticketnews.com/Def-Leppard-Continues-North-American-Tour01897 |date=14 June 2008}} Ticket News. Retrieved 1 March 2010. "They are one of only five rock bands that can claim two separate, original 10 million-plus selling albums (certified "Diamond") in the US. The others are [[The Beatles]], [[Led Zeppelin]], [[Pink Floyd]] and [[Van Halen]]".</ref> Both ''Pyromania'' and ''Hysteria'' feature in ''Rolling Stone''{{'s}} list of the [[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|500 Greatest Albums of All Time]].<ref name="RSPyromania">{{cite magazine| url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/pyromania-def-leppard-19691231| archive-url= https://archive.today/20120526040550/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/pyromania-def-leppard-19691231| url-status= dead| archive-date= 26 May 2012| title= 500 Greatest Albums of All Time: Pyromania—Def Leppard| magazine= Rolling Stone| access-date= 17 November 2011}}</ref><ref name= "RSHysteria">{{cite magazine| url= https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/hysteria-def-leppard-19691231| archive-url= https://archive.today/20120911005717/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-19691231/hysteria-def-leppard-19691231| url-status= dead| archive-date= 11 September 2012| title= 500 Greatest Albums of All Time: Hysteria—Def Leppard| magazine= Rolling Stone| access-date= 17 November 2011}}</ref>

Def Leppard were among the most successful of the new wave of British heavy metal bands in the early 1980s. They combined the raw power of metal with a pop emphasis on melody, catchy hooks and vocal harmonies that, particularly later on, contrasted sharply with harsher contemporary metal and punk bands.<ref name="Caulfield"/> Their early album ''On Through the Night'' (1980) appealed to metal fans like of [[Dimebag Darrell]] of [[Pantera]]<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.guitarworld.com/dimebag_darrell_dime%E2%80%99s_dozen?page=0,1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531075841/http://www.guitarworld.com/dimebag_darrell_dime%E2%80%99s_dozen?page=0,1|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 May 2012|title=Dimebag Darrell: Dime's Dozen—Page 2—Guitar World|date=31 May 2012}}</ref> and [[Jeff Hanneman]] of [[Slayer]].<ref name="guitarworld.com">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.guitarworld.com/tribute-complete-untold-story-slayers-jeff-hanneman |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331043726/http://www.guitarworld.com/tribute-complete-untold-story-slayers-jeff-hanneman |title=In Tribute: The Complete, Untold Story of Slayer's Jeff Hanneman |magazine=Guitar World |date=2 May 2013 |archive-date=31 March 2014 |access-date=30 March 2017}}</ref> Their hugely popular later albums, such as ''Hysteria'' (1987), were different due to their perfectionism in the studio, but appealed to a broad range of music fans.<ref name="Caulfield">{{cite web| last1= Caulfield|first1=Keith|title=Viva' Def Leppard!| date= 2013| volume=125 |issue=43 |page=57| url= http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/91811962|access-date=2 October 2014}}</ref>

In 2006, the band received a [[Sheffield Legends]] plaque in their hometown of Sheffield.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Rock legends Def Leppard set to enter home city's hall of fame |url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/rock-legends-def-leppard-set-to-enter-home-city-s-hall-of-fame-1-2373092 |work=Yorkshire Post |date=7 June 2006 |access-date=4 November 2017 |archive-date=7 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107023208/http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/rock-legends-def-leppard-set-to-enter-home-city-s-hall-of-fame-1-2373092 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Despite their huge commercial success, Elliott has said in an interview that he feels the band does not receive its fair share of respect from the British music press and he said the band had been barred from the BBC's ''[[Later with Jools Holland]]'' series because they were "not cool enough".<ref>{{cite web |url= http://metro.co.uk/2010/07/20/joe-elliot-def-leppard-dont-get-enough-respect-453310/ |title= Joe Elliot: Def Leppard don't get enough respect |work=Metro |date=20 July 2010 |access-date=2 April 2013}}</ref>

The band made a cameo appearance in the partly fictional film ''[[Bank of Dave (film)|Bank of Dave]]'', released in January 2023.  They simulated giving a fund-raising concert at [[Turf Moor]], Burnley.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}{{importance inline|date=January 2024}}

=== Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ===
{{Quote box
 |quote = Not everybody realises that these guys are not just crowd pleasers. They also embody such an amazing technical excellence. They have it all. I regard all these guys as great friends and kind of part of my family, that's why it's so important for me to be here. I wouldn't have let anybody else do this.
 |source =&nbsp;—[[Brian May]], inducting Def Leppard into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.<ref name="brian may rock hall">{{cite web |url= https://www.planetrock.com/news/rock-news/queens-brian-may-reveals-how-joe-elliott-saved-his-life-at-def-leppard-gig/ |title= Queen's Brian May reveals how Joe Elliott saved his life at Def Leppard gig |work=Planet Rock |first=Scott |last=Colothan |date=1 April 2019 |access-date=22 April 2019}}</ref>
 |align= right |width= 25% |style= padding:10px;
}}

On 9 October 2018, Def Leppard received an induction nomination from the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/rock-roll-hall-of-fame-2019-nominees-8478809/|title=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Reveals 2019 Nominees: Def Leppard, Janet Jackson & More|magazine=Billboard}}</ref> In addition to the 1,000 members of the Hall of Fame voting committee, the general public also had an opportunity to participate in the "Fan Vote".<ref name="Induction">{{cite news |title=Def Leppard Lead 2019 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Class |url=http://loudwire.com/gdpr/consent/?redirect=/def-leppard-lead-2019-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-induction-class/ |access-date=13 December 2018 |work=LoudWire}}</ref> On 13 December 2018, Def Leppard were named in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Class of 2019. The band won the Klipsch Audio Fan Vote, beating 14 other nominees with 547,647 general public votes (119,803 and 28% more than second vote receiver [[Stevie Nicks]]).<ref>{{cite news |title=Radiohead and Janet Jackson to enter the Rock Hall of Fame |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-46556189 |access-date=13 December 2018 |agency=BBC}}</ref>

The current line-up of the band, along with past members Pete Willis and Steve Clark, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on 29 March 2019 at a ceremony at Brooklyn's [[Barclays Center]].<ref name="Induction"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/2018/12/13/janet-jackson-def-leppard-nicks-join-rock-and-roll-hall-fame/a50n20HTG9szuI2rULTNUM/story.html|title=Janet Jackson, Def Leppard, Nicks join Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—The Boston Globe|website=BostonGlobe.com|access-date=18 December 2018}}</ref> Def Leppard were inducted by [[Queen (band)|Queen]] guitarist [[Brian May]], who said they were "a magnificent rock group, in the classic tradition of what a rock group really is" and "a bunch of magnificent human beings".<ref name="brian may rock hall"/>

== Band members ==
{{main|List of Def Leppard band members}}
;Current members
* [[Rick Savage]] – bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals, occasional guitars (1977–present)
* [[Joe Elliott]] – lead vocals, occasional guitars, keyboards, piano (1977–present)
* [[Rick Allen (drummer)|Rick Allen]] – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1978–present)
* [[Phil Collen]] – guitar, backing vocals (1982–present)
* [[Vivian Campbell]] – guitar, backing vocals (1992–present)

== Side projects ==
Phil Collen played guitar, uncredited, on [[Sam Kinison]]'s "Wild Thing" in 1988. The video featured members of bands such as [[Poison (American band)|Poison]], [[Bon Jovi]], [[Mötley Crüe]], [[Guns N' Roses]], [[Ratt]], and [[Aerosmith]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Exclusive Interview: Phil Collen on Manraze and Def Leppard Legacy |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/def-leppard-phil-collen-manraze-interview/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=31 July 2011 }}</ref> Collen also produced and played on the 1991 album ''On the Edge'' by Australian band [[BB Steal]].<ref>{{cite web |title=BB Steal |url=https://www.melodicrock.com/tags/bb-steal |website=MelodicRock.com}}</ref>

Joe Elliott sang lead vocals on two tracks on [[The Rolling Stones|Rolling Stones]] guitarist [[Ronnie Wood]]'s 1992 solo album, ''[[Slide on This]]''. His then-wife Karla appeared in the videos for "Always Wanted More" and "Somebody Else Might". Various members of Def Leppard have played on tribute records for [[Jeff Beck]], [[AC/DC]], and [[Alice Cooper]].{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}

A fan of his local football club [[Sheffield United F.C.]], Elliott performed on two tracks to the soundtrack of the 1996 Sheffield-set motion picture, ''[[When Saturday Comes (film)|When Saturday Comes]]'' (featuring fellow Sheffield native [[Sean Bean]] as a star football player), the title track and an instrumental, "Jimmy's Theme".<ref name=NYT>{{cite web|title=When Saturday Comes|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/136095/When-Saturday-Comes/overview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623185419/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/136095/When-Saturday-Comes/overview|url-status=dead|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=[[The New York Times]]|first=Michael |last=Betzold|date=2015|archive-date=23 June 2015}}</ref> Elliott sang and co-wrote the opening track, "Don't Look Down" on Mick Ronson's farewell album ''Heaven and Hull''. A promotional video was issued for the song as well.<ref>{{cite web |title=Def Leppard's Joe Elliott Releases Video Tribute To Friend Mick Ronson |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/def-leppards-joe-elliott-releases-video-tribute-friend-mick-ronson/ |website=U Discover Music |date=27 August 2018 |access-date=2 February 2020}}</ref>

[[Cybernauts]] was a side project consisting of Elliott and Collen teamed with members of [[The Spiders From Mars]] ([[David Bowie]]'s former band), minus the late [[Mick Ronson]]. The group played several shows, covering Bowie's [[David Bowie|Ziggy Stardust]]-era songs and released one internet-only album (since deleted).<ref>{{cite web |title=DEF LEPPARD Members' CYBERNAUTS Planning Digital Album Release |url=http://bravewords.com/news/def-leppard-members-cybernauts-planning-digital-album-release |website=Brave Words |date=10 March 2014 }}</ref>

[[Vivian Campbell]] has played with two side bands in recent years, [[Clock (American band)|Clock]] and the [[Riverdogs]], and recorded a solo album, ''Two Sides of If'', released in 2005. Campbell toured with [[Thin Lizzy]] in early 2011 before joining Def Leppard on their Mirrorball tour.<ref>{{cite web |title=DEF LEPPARD Guitarist Vivian Campbell On New THIN LIZZY Album |url=http://bravewords.com/features/def-leppard-guitarist-vivian-campbell-on-new-thin-lizzy-album-thats-what-were-talking-about-but-its-kind-of-a-grey-area-as-to-what-the-future-holds |website=Brave Words |date=20 February 2011 |access-date=2 February 2020}}</ref>

Collen sings lead vocals and plays guitar in a side band called [[Man Raze]] with [[Sex Pistols]] drummer [[Paul Cook]] and former [[Girl (band)|Girl]] bandmate [[Simon Laffy]]. They released their debut album ''[[Surreal (album)|Surreal]]'' in 2008 and a second album, ''[[PunkFunkRootsRock]]'', in 2011.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Def Leppard, Sex Pistols Members Team for Man Raze |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/def-leppard-sex-pistols-members-team-for-manraze-ep-premiere-242755/ |magazine=Rolling Stone|date=7 November 2013}}</ref>

Joe Elliott founded and fronts the band [[Down 'n' Outz]] with members of [[The Quireboys]]. The band plays covers of [[Mott the Hoople]] and related artists such as [[British Lions (band)|British Lions]] and [[Ian Hunter (singer)|Ian Hunter]]. They have released two studio albums of covers, one of original material and one live album since their incarnation in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |title=Def Leppard Singer's Down 'N' Outz Is Working On Its First Album of New Material |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/def-leppard-singers-down-n-outz-is-working-on-first-album-of-original-material/ |website=Blabbermouth|date=25 December 2017}}</ref>

Following the death of [[Ronnie James Dio]], Vivian Campbell reunited with the rest of the original [[Dio (band)|Dio]] line-up with vocalist [[Andrew Freeman (musician)|Andrew Freeman]] to form [[Last in Line]]. The band pays tribute to Dio by playing songs from their original tenure in the band and released an album titled Heavy Crown in February 2016.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vivian Campbell Compares Def Leppard to His Side Band 'Last In Line' |url=https://metalheadzone.com/vivian-campbell-compares-def-leppard-to-his-side-band-last-in-line/ |website=Metal Head Zone |date=4 March 2019 |access-date=24 June 2019 |archive-date=25 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025113526/https://metalheadzone.com/vivian-campbell-compares-def-leppard-to-his-side-band-last-in-line/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Joe Elliott, along with various other musicians including [[Glenn Hughes (English singer)|Glenn Hughes]], [[Duff McKagan]], [[Sebastian Bach]], [[Matt Sorum]], [[Gilby Clarke]] and [[Steve Stevens]] formed a [[Supergroup (music)|supergroup]] called [[Kings of Chaos (band)|Kings of Chaos]], whose catalogue consists of songs by [[Deep Purple]], Def Leppard, [[Guns N' Roses]] and others. In 2012, Kings of Chaos recorded their version of Deep Purple's classic, "Never Before" featuring Elliott singing lead vocals. Kings of Chaos played Stone Fest in Australia along with a few dates in South America in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |title=DEF LEPPARD's Joe Elliott Talks KINGS OF CHAOS—"We're Just A Group of Old Friends Getting Together to Make Music" |url=http://bravewords.com/news/def-leppards-joe-elliott-talks-kings-of-chaos-were-just-a-group-of-old-friends-getting-together-to-make-music |website=Brave Words |date=June 2013 }}</ref>

Phil Collen formed a blues project by the name of Delta Deep with vocalist Debbi Blackwell Cook which released an eponymous debut in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|last1=DeRiso|first1=Nick|title=Def Leppard's Phil Collen Announces Blues-Rock Side Project Delta Deep|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/phil-collen-delta-deep/|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=28 December 2013 |access-date=20 January 2016}}</ref>

In October 2020, Joe Elliott and Phil Collen played on [[the Struts]] song, "I Hate How Much I Want You", part of their ''Strange Days'' album.<ref>{{cite web |title=How British rockers the Struts made an 'Exile on Main Street' for the COVID age |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/how-british-rockers-the-struts-made-an-exile-on-main-street-for-the-covid-age-055445048.html |website=www.yahoo.com|date=17 October 2020 }}</ref>

== Awards and nominations ==
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Def Leppard}}

Def Leppard won two awards at the [[American Music Awards of 1989|1989 American Music Awards]] for favourite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist and album for ''Hysteria''.

October 7, 2025:
Receives a Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame.

== Discography ==
{{main|Def Leppard discography}}

'''Studio albums'''
<!--ONLY STUDIO ALBUMS BELONG IN THIS LIST. RETRO ACTIVE IS NOT A STUDIO ALBUM NOR ARE ANY OTHER COMPILATION/GREATEST HITS RELEASES.-->
* ''[[On Through the Night]]'' (1980)
* ''[[High 'n' Dry]]'' (1981)
* ''[[Pyromania (album)|Pyromania]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Hysteria (Def Leppard album)|Hysteria]]'' (1987)
* ''[[Adrenalize]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Slang (album)|Slang]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Euphoria (Def Leppard album)|Euphoria]]'' (1999)
* ''[[X (Def Leppard album)|X]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Yeah! (Def Leppard album)|Yeah!]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Songs from the Sparkle Lounge]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Def Leppard (album)|Def Leppard]]'' (2015)
* ''[[Diamond Star Halos]]'' (2022)

== See also ==
* [[List of artists who reached number one in the United States]]
* [[List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Mainstream Rock chart]]
* [[List of best-selling music artists]]
* [[List of glam metal bands and artists]]
* [[List of new wave of British heavy metal bands]]

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist|30em}}

=== General bibliography ===
{{refbegin|colwidth=25em}}
* {{cite book|first=Chuck|last=Eddy|authorlink=Chuck Eddy|year=2011|title=Rock and Roll Always Forgets: A Quarter Century of Music Criticism|publisher= [[Duke University Press]]|isbn=978-0-8223-5010-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aoInAQAAIAAJ}}
* {{cite book|first=Christian|last=Eudeline|year=2014|title=Du hard rock au metal : Les 100 albums cultes|publisher=[[Éditions Gründ|Gründ]]|isbn=978-2-324-00828-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZF6DBAAAQBAJ|language=fr}}
* {{cite book|editor-first=Frank|editor-last=Hoffmann|year=2005|title=Encyclopedia of Recorded Sound|publisher=[[Routledge]]|isbn=0-415-93835-X|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-FOSAgAAQBAJ}}
* {{cite book|editor-first=Colin|editor-last=Larkin|authorlink=Colin Larkin (writer)|year=2011|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|edition=5th|publisher=[[Omnibus Press]]|isbn=978-0-85-712595-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_NNmFiUnSmUC}}
* {{cite book|first1=William|last1=Phillips|first2=Brian|last2=Cogan|title=Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal Music|year=2009|publisher=Greenwood Press|isbn=978-0-313-34800-6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=52hFCQAAQBAJ}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{sister project links|d=Q182890|c=category:Def Leppard|b=no|v=no|voy=no|s=no|wikt=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no|n=no|q=no}}
* {{official website}}
*{{AllMusic}}
*{{Discogs artist}}
*{{MusicBrainz artist}}

{{Def Leppard|state=expanded}}
{{2019 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Def Leppard}}
[[Category:Def Leppard| ]]
[[Category:1977 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Arena rock musical groups]]
[[Category:English glam metal musical groups]]
[[Category:English hard rock musical groups]]
[[Category:English musical quintets]]
[[Category:Frontiers Records artists]]
[[Category:Island Records artists]]
[[Category:Kerrang! Awards winners]]
[[Category:Mercury Records artists]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1977]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Sheffield]]
[[Category:New Wave of British Heavy Metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Phonogram Inc. artists]]
[[Category:PolyGram artists]]
[[Category:Second British Invasion artists]]
[[Category:Universal Music Group artists]]
[[Category:Vertigo Records artists]]