Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott on feeling like a ‘fraud’ and the ‘insanity’ of Taylor Swift

As a band that was breaking barriers in the ’80s, I can confidently say that we were the black sheep of the rock scene. We were the solitary rock band with hit singles amidst a sea of funk, R&B, and pop. It was like we’d sneaked our way onto a chart we didn’t belong on, and it made us smile.

Joe Elliott is currently relaxing in a room situated at the Four Seasons hotel, which is centrally located in Minneapolis. He’s got about eight to nine hours before he takes the stage alongside his band Def Leppard for a performance at the Minnesota Twins’ baseball arena.

“Can you see that far off?” he queries during our Zoom chat, adjusting his laptop to capture Target Field via a large window behind him. Last weekend was Green Day’s turn there. Meanwhile, over yonder, U.S. Bank Stadium hosted Metallica for two nights recently. What a rockin’ weekend around here!

Back in the day, it wouldn’t have been expected that Def Leppard would still be so active. This British pop-metal band gained massive popularity with their 1983 album “Pyromania,” which sold ten times platinum, and its successor from 1987, “Hysteria,” which went twelve times platinum. These albums were refined to a high level of polish under the meticulous production of Mutt Lange. However, as flamboyant hard rock declined in favor of grunge and pop-punk during the 1990s and early 2000s, Def Leppard’s career seemed to slow down.

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However, the intensity picked up once again for Def Leppard, leading them to return to arenas and stadiums with timeless tracks like “Photograph,” “Love Bites,” “Rock of Ages,” and “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” Now, they are touring alongside another famous ’80s rock-radio hit-maker, Journey. This tour will make a stop at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium this Sunday.

Elliott, aged 65, expressed his sentiments while on stage, winking at his fellow band members and exclaiming, “Isn’t this amazing?” After forty-seven years in the industry, they were performing at such large venues, despite others predicting their demise. Elliott added, “We were the only five who said, ‘No, we won’t stop.'” Notably, the frontman donned a black Taylor Swift T-shirt, a memento from a stop on her Eras Tour in Dublin where he introduced his 8-year-old daughter to the pop sensation. (Did you know that Rick Allen’s brother Robert is part of Swift’s management team?) Elliott described the experience as “magical” and expressed his eternal gratitude towards Taylor Swift for making him appear trendy for a brief period.

In 2008, Def Leppard performed an episode of “Crossroads” with Taylor. At that time, it’s safe to say nobody could have predicted her future success. Looking back now, it seems almost destined, but in 2008, her achievements were unprecedented. If you had been around when the Beatles and the Rolling Stones first came onto the scene, you might have thought the same thing. But for those of us born in this century or even in the ’90s, her rise to fame is something never witnessed before — commercially speaking, she’s bigger than both the Beatles and the Stones combined, which is hard to wrap our heads around given her ticket sales numbers. It’s a phenomenon that’s simply mind-boggling.

But I always knew she’d be big. And for all the hardships she’s gone though — the people who’ve tried to trip her up over the years at certain parts of her career — she’s just dusted herself down. She’s a fantastic role model for a generation of kids.

Robert Plant once shared with me that you used to make quite a stir as you prepared your voice for performances back in the day. This resonates with me, reminding me of my 1988 self who was still finding his way. Despite our success, there was always a nagging doubt within me: Was I a fraud? Could I truly deliver? So, to quell those fears and ready myself for an audience, I would often immerse myself in the spacious, echo-filled shower. There, I’d test my vocal cords by starting a bit of “Immigrant Song,” perhaps.

In 1992, Vivian arrived and introduced us to Roger Love, a well-known L.A. vocal coach. For a month, we rehearsed in Ibiza with him tagging along. He customized warm-up tapes for each of our voices. However, as Robert pointed out, I had caused quite the stir back then, and it seems he hasn’t forgotten that yet, which is amusing. We chat frequently, usually about soccer. His birthday is approaching – I need to send him a message.

In essence, it’s quite rare for a touring band with a long history like Def Leppard to still feature its original members. For instance, Journey tours with Arnel Pineda instead of Steve Perry. I wonder if fans care about seeing the original band members when they attend concerts? From my observations at a Journey concert, it seems that the audience is quite enthusiastic. While there might be some critics who express their dissatisfaction by saying, “I wish it was Steve Perry,” many people just want to enjoy the music. The songs themselves are what truly matter, not any individual member of the band.

As a music enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: It’s not Neal Schon from Journey, nor Joe Elliott or Robert Plant, not even Taylor Swift who takes center stage for me. In truth, the magic lies within the song itself. To some extent, the identity of the performer fades into insignificance. I recall a concert once with Foreigner where not a single band member had ever played on one of their records. Yet, they stepped onto that stage, sang their songs, and 83,000 people in Quebec seemed indifferent to the fact.

Determined as we are to preserve the unity of our band, we’ve gone to great lengths, much like how U2 has done. Until very recently, a single change in our lineup had never occurred – an unprecedented streak. Sadly, Pete and Steve left us during our journey, but this current lineup has endured for 32 years, which is four times longer than the Beatles’ tenure together.

Not only do we get along well, but we truly enjoy each other’s company! Recently, I fell ill with a respiratory issue in Boston, so I chose to isolate as I wasn’t certain about the cause. They placed me in my own room, which I found utterly dismal. I expressed my thoughts to the group, saying, “I don’t comprehend the appeal of bands that have separate dressing rooms.” We’ve always shared the same space, and we’ve been doing so for approximately 40 years. It seems the Foo Fighters follow suit, as Phil mentioned in a conversation with Pat Smear not long ago: “Well, yes — this is what genuine bands should do, isn’t it?”

What Def Leppard songs do you find fitting to play alongside? Perhaps hearing “Pour Some Sugar on Me” sandwiched between “Gimme Shelter” and “Kashmir” feels like quality companionship. That’s how I gauge it. The other day, while on our way to a concert in San Antonio, we heard “Sugar” played on the radio after “Brick House” by the Commodores and before “Billie Jean.” It’s all about good company.

As an ’80s rock aficionado, I was the black sheep among giants – the lone rock band that topped the charts with our hit singles. While other rock albums reigned supreme, from Van Halen and Guns N’ Roses to Steve Winwood, they all dominated a chart filled with platinum records. But when you examine the singles chart, it’s Cameo, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and New Edition who hold sway. This discrepancy always gave us a secret thrill, as if we’d managed to crash the party where we didn’t really belong.

Were there bands from the ’80s who produced better-sounding records than yours? I don’t believe so, but let me clarify – I’m not being dismissive; it’s just that I don’t recall any recordings that surpassed ours in quality. Other bands made music that was distinct from ours. They might argue their work sounded better because it seemed more organic. However, our goal was to exploit technology and machinery to push boundaries – to incorporate elements of a band like Queen with the technological innovations of groups such as Joy Division, Kraftwerk, or The Human League. Why can’t a rock ‘n’ roll band utilize modern drum sounds and sequencing effects to elevate music that hasn’t advanced much? When we were creating “Pyromania,” we were listening to hits from 1982, and they didn’t sound any different from those released in 1975.

ZZ Top were experimenting with a similar style, blending guitar tunes with synthesizers and programmed beats, around the same period as their “Eliminator” album. What’s your take on that approach?

Our generation is particularly blessed because bands like Duran Duran, ZZ Top, the Police, and Michael Jackson have left such an indelible mark on us that their videos seem etched onto our inner vision. Speaking of ZZ Top, they were a classic three-member American rock group known for hits like “Tush” and “Cheap Sunglasses.” As time went by, their sound expanded to attract a broader audience, which might have caused some initial confusion among original fans who felt that they had strayed from their roots. Similarly, when we released “Pyromania,” there were those who accused us of abandoning our heavy metal origins and engaging in unnecessary criticism. But progress is inevitable.

Which one takes the cake: “Pyromania” or “Hysteria”? Well, let me tell ya, buddy! It’s like asking which came first, the chicken or the egg. But if I must choose, I’d go with “Pyromania.” Remember that magical tour when we stepped off the bus and walked straight into a hotel? Then, poof! The next thing we knew, there were so many fans that they blocked our way into the hotel. By 1987, it was déjà vu all over again, but this time, it was bigger and better. So, which one’s superior? I reckon the ’80s were simply unforgettable.

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2024-08-22 23:32