They are one of just five rock bands with two original studio albums, Pyromania and Hysteria, which have sold more than 10 million copies in the US.
In 2019, the band, whose biggest hits include Pour Some Sugar on Me and Love Bites, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Last year, Def Leppard were given a heroes’ welcome when they performed to a pack out crowd at Bramall Lane, just days after a much more intimate homecoming gig at Sheffield’s iconic Leadmill nightclub.
How much do you know about the Def Leppard and their Sheffield roots?
Here are nine fascinating facts about the band’s early days, including their first ever gig and one of their most seminal performances.
5. They achieved something no band before them had
In 1988 they became the first band to sell 7 million or more copies of two consecutive albums in the US, those albums being Pyromania and Hysteria | Sheffield NewspapersPhoto: Sheffield Newspapers
6. Joe Elliott turned down the chance to invest in Sheffield United
Joe Elliott is famously a huge Sheffield United fan but he once turned down the chance to invest in his beloved Blades. He said it was around 1989, when Dave Bassett was manager, that the club 'kind of hung the carrot in front of me'. He added: "It was talked about in the corridors when I was at a game, but it never really got any further than that.” He did spend around £3,000 on a stretching table which he said the club couldn’t afford at the time and which helped get striker Brian Deane back on the pitch six weeks sooner. It was money well spent, as Deane would go on to make history by scoring the first ever Premier League goal in 1992. | Getty ImagesPhoto: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
7. Rick Allen lost his arm in a car crash but was able to continue playing drums and pursue his passion for painting
Rick Allen, pictured on the right in this photo of Def Leppard, lost his arm in a car crash on the A57 near Sheffield in December 1984. Doctors reattached the limb but it was later removed due to infection. He revealed he 'really didn't want to be here' following the crash but he was able to continue playing the drums thanks to an electronic drum kit which was specially designed for him. He would also go on to become a successful artist. He has thanked his peers, his fans and his family for the encouragement they gave him at the time. | Photo by Mercury Records/Hulton Archive/Courtesy of Getty ImagesPhoto: Photo by Mercury Records/Hulton Archive/Courtesy of Getty Images
8. Def Leppard supported the Human League in free gig at famous Sheffield nightclub
The Limit on West Street is one of Sheffield's most famous nightclubs but of all the gigs it hosted during its 13-year history, one stands out. On Monday, September 11, 1978, Def Leppard were on the bottom of the bill for what was only their third gig. The Human League were headlining and admission was free. Def Leppard at the time consisted of Joe Elliott, Rick Savage, Steve Clark, Pete Willis and Tony Kenning, and their name was misspelled as 'Deaf Leppard' on the poster. Joe Elliott said: "You didn't get paid to play but they let everybody in for free so you were guaranteed a full house.” | Sheffield NewspapersPhoto: Sheffield Newspapers
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