Tag Archives: RIP Steve Clark

CLASSIC ALBUMS REVISITED: Def Leppard – “On Through The Night” was Released 40 Years Ago

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The 1980s was a transition time for Rock and Heavy Metal. Led Zeppelin would disband soon after a loss. AC/DC would lose a leader but gain new life. Ozzy was out of Sabbath, they had yet to unleash the Dio era, and Ozzy had yet to deliver his solo début. Michael Schenker quit UFO. Uriah Heap was changing key members left and right. Queen, Thin Lizzy, and Ultravox were adding new sounds and weirding out core fans. Only Judas Priest and Iron Maiden seemed to be ruling over the upper echelon and pioneering the New Wave of British Heavy Metal Sound. A young band the strength of an impressive demo (The Getcha Rocks Off E.P.), Sheffield UK’s best export, Def Leppard, debuted a début album full of ass-kicking music, the influence of the masters, few pretentious trappings, wizard guitar work, and amazing vocals. On Through The Night (Vertigo/Mercury) broke through as major-league début release in a year that later would be remembered for greatness. Continue reading →


Def Leppard To Release “The Early Years 79-81” Boxed Set

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In what is shaping up to be a huge year for 2019 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Def Leppard, they are releasing a new boxed set. Def Leppard The Early Years 79-81 will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the classic On Through The Night album, with tons of remastered vinyl, CDs, a gang of unreleased material from their early years, live concerts, and hopefully shine a spotlight on guitarist Steve Clark who was one of the driving forces of the early days of the band. The set features more highlights like the never before released Nick Tauber produced version of ‘Rock Brigade’ among others. Releasing on March 20th The Early Years 79-81’Boxset, the definitive collection of the band’s early music coming from UMC/Virgin. The band’s first two albums, On Through The Night (1980) and High ‘N’ Dry (1981), and has been prepared in conjunction with singer Joe Elliott who has acted as executive producer on the set. The mastering has been done by the band’s long-serving sound engineer Ronan McHugh. This deluxe set comes with 5-CDs consisting of the original album remastered, B-sides, rarities and re-mix versions, Radio One sessions, Live from Reading and the first-ever appearance of an unreleased and newly mixed show from Oxford in 1980. These remasters have been highly anticipated, and much requested, by Def Leppard fans globally. Def Leppard will co-headline with Motley Crue on the stadium tour in North America 2020, with Poison and Joan Jett And The Blackhearts this summer. Listen to ‘Rock Brigade’ right now! Continue reading →