Def Leppard: 5 Things Everyone Should Know
Def Leppard is among many acts that fall under the “long overdue” banner when it comes to their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Their catalog of hits contains some of the most enduring rock songs of all time, and they continue to be a major touring draw decades after the release of their 1980 debut album, On Through the Night.
In honor of their induction into the Rock Hall, here are five things everyone should know about Def Leppard.
Def Leppard achieved two important number ones with this induction…
Def Leppard was first eligible for induction into the Rock Hall in 2005, however, their first nomination came with the 2019 class. Not only were they voted in by the Rock Hall’s voting committee on their first nomination, they also won the Fan Vote with 547,647 votes cast. Stevie Nicks came in second with 427,844.
…But they’ve only netted one number one single on the Billboard Hot 100
Out of their 19 singles to chard on the Billboard Hot 100, Def Leppard only reached the top spot once with “Love Bites” in 1988.
“Love Bites” was one of seven singles from Hysteria to chart on the Billboard Hot 100
Def Leppard’s 1987 album Hysteria was an absolute monster. The album yielded seven singles all of which landed on the Billboard Hot 100. In addition to the aforementioned “Love Bites,” there was the following and the peak ranking: “Pour Some Sugar On Me” (#2), “Armageddon It” (#3), “Hysteria” (#10), “Rocket” (#12), “Animal” (#19) and “Women” (#80.)
The Sales of Hysteria and Pyromania put Def Leppard in esteemed company
Hysteria and 1983’s Pyromania have both been certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) selling 12 million and 10 million copies in the United States, respectively. The only other bands with two or more diamond selling albums in the United States are The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Van Halen.
Def Leppard hold a unique Guinness World Record
On October 23, 1995, Def Leppard earned a Guinness World Record by playing three continents in one day with shows in the following cities: Tangiers, Morocco; London; and Vancouver.
Erica Banas is rock/classic rock news blogger that loves the smell of old vinyl in the morning.
