Born August 1, 1959, in Sheffield, England
Recruited to join Atomic Mass, who was in desperate need for a singer
November 1977 proposes name Deaf Leopard and the band agrees on
Def LeppardMarries Karla on October 4, 1989 - now divorced
Richard Savage
Born December 2, 1960, in Sheffield, England
Forms Atomic Mass, playing guitar, in 1977 at almost 17 with Pete Willis
Turns down invitation to play pro soccer to continue in band
Switched to bass because band lacked bass player and recruited Joe Elliot as singer
First wore glasses 1990 after trying on someone else's and realizing he could see better
Married fiance Dara in 1993
Pete Willis
Born February 16, 1960, in Sheffield England
Founding guitarist of Atomic Mass, which eventually becomes Def Leppard
Asked to leave the band in 1982 for arriving drunk to one of their recording sessions (although there were problems with him drinking and making it to rehearsals beforehand)
Joseph Thomas Elliot
Born August 1, 1959, in Sheffield, England
Recruited to join Atomic Mass, who was in desperate need for a singer
November 1977 proposes name Deaf Leopard and the band agrees on Def Leppard
Marries Karla on October 4, 1989 - now divorced
Steven Clark
Born April 23, 1960 in Hillsborough, north of Sheffield, England
First rehearses with group on January 29, 1978, blowing them away with the audition
Fiance Lorelei Shellist pleads with band to do something about his drinking
Band denies that Steve has problem with drugs and coke
December 1989 found comatose in a gutter with .59 blood alcohol content
Admitted into psychiatric hospital in Minnesota; treatments go as far back as 1982
September 1990 given six months sabbatical to clean up his drinking
January 8, 1991, dies of fatal mix of drugs (anti-depressants and painkillers) and alcohol
Richard John Cyril Allen
Born November 1, 1963, in Derbyshire, England
Somewhat of a celebrity as a child drummer (was in first band at age 10)
Joins band at 15 in November 1978 after father answers article entitled "Leppard Loses Skins"
Offered and accepted job before they even hear him play
Leaves school to pursue full-time career with Def Leppard - has parents blessing
Avoids eviction from band - heavy partying - by toning it down on tour
Meets future wife, Stacey, in 1980 then gets reaquainted in 1989 after old relationships die
They marry on September 29, 1991
December 31, 1984 loses arm in car crash; seatbelt unclips and severs it at the shoulder
He remains conscious through it all
Doctors attempt reattachment but infected and removed; ex-girlfriend Miriam, is not seriously hurt
April of 1985 electronic drum kit devised so he could continue in Def Leppard
August of 1986 back on tour with electronic kit that enables his left foot to take over work done by left arm
July 5, 1995, arrested for beating wife in an LA airport
Cites drugs and alcohol as cause and is ordered to do public service messages
April 1997 welcomes daughter, Lauren, into family
Vows to clean up life; busies himself with tennis, waterskiing, and race cars
Philip Kenneth Collen
Born December 8, 1957, in London, England
Joins band in July 1982 to replace Pete Willis
Quits drinking and heavy partying (1984) as he realizes it is taking over his life
Marries Jacki on July 13, 1989 - now divorced
Son Rory born January 4, 1990
Vivian Campbell
Born August 25, 1962, in Belfast, North Ireland
Most notably of Whitesnake fame, although also in Sweet Savage and Dio
Marries Jewels
First gig with band is Freddy Mercury tribute concert (Wembley Stadium) on April 20, 1992
Announced as replacement at concert
Contributes "Work it Out", his first Lep song, to Slang
Daughter Lily born May 13, 1999
© 1999 beanpole