Definitely: The Official Story of Def Leppard

by Def Leppard

JOE  We had balls and we were naive, in a good way. We just went out there, full throttle. Offering fans the most personal and comprehensive record of Def Leppard’s history to date,  The Official Story of Def Leppard  is narrated by the band in their own words, illustrated with photography and memorabilia from the Def Leppard archives. RICK  Coming up during the punk era helped us because there were only a couple of bands playing our type of music. People probably took more notice of us because we stood out. Despite an average age of only 18, Def Leppard burst onto the hard rock scene in 1980 like a group of seasoned veterans. Thinking big from the very start, the blueprint for their music was, as singer Joe Elliott states, ‘Queen meets AC/DC.’ Def Leppard’s story is one of stratospheric highs and crashing lows, of triumph over adversity. While becoming one of the world’s best-selling music artists with blockbuster albums  Pyromania  and  Hysteria , the band overcame drummer Rick Allen’s accident and the death of bandmate Steve Clark. During their 45-year history, Def Leppard have continued to make new music – with 12 studio albums to their name, including their 2022 release  Diamond Star Halos  – finding success with every record and tour. In a wide-ranging account from the band and archive text from past members,  Definitely  chronicles Def Leppard’s incredible story, from their humble beginnings rehearsing in a spoon factory in Sheffield, to recording ground-breaking multi-platinum albums and touring sell-out stadiums around the world. JOE  In the summer of 1988 we shifted 4 million copies of  Hysteria  in the US alone. At that moment we were the biggest band in the world. With unlimited access to the Def Leppard vault,  Definitely  presents over four decades of the band’s history through handwritten correspondence, rare vinyl pressings, tour memorabilia, music video storyboards, draft album artwork, press cuttings, previously unpublished photographs and much more. Part memoir, part scrapbook,  The Official Story of Def Leppard  is the ultimate record of Def Leppard’s legendary career.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Biography, Memoir

240 pages, Hardcover

Published November 25, 2022

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Way more than five stars for this brilliant book about my favorite band. These guys are not only talented they are also really fun and nice guys. Loved every word and every photo and relished the nostalgia.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book written by my favorite band! I loved hearing all the stories that the guys shared and seeing all the memorabilia and photos! I think this is a must read and own if you are a fan!

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This was actually an amazing read. I loved learning about their lives and what went on between the band that we don't get to know or see.

[Dave Moyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely the best book ever.

[ephyjeva · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it comes to reviewing oral histories/autobiographies, my preferred method is making bullet-point lists. Not only do they read as selections of the book's highlights, but they also prove hilarious to read in retrospect. So here goes:

▪️ Joe's self-professed ambition to make Leppard bigger than the Stones is classic Joe, and if it doesn't make you howl I don't know what will.
▪️ Pete Willis' heel height to actual physical height ratio is borderline absurd.
▪️ Phil had his suitcase stolen on the Pyromania tour and had to find new stage clothes at short notice, so if you ever see pictures of him absolutely destroying that black Ibanez in khaki pants with suspenders, just know that the outfit is from an army surplus store.
▪️ The whole In The Round And In Your Face stage setup is genius and I could watch those videos on repeat for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day of the week.
▪️ POOR VIV was forgotten at the airport on the Adrenalize tour. In other news, my man was hardly fazed when they came back for him.
▪️ The story of Enzo was definitely my favorite part. Oh, to be a 13-year-old Chilean boy living the dream of the average One Direction fanfiction writer on Wattpad.
▪️ Nine Lives off Sparkle Lounge was written in mere minutes by Phil and Tim McGraw!!! And the backing vocals were recorded on tour, in a freaking shower area backstage!
▪️ The whole 2013 Vegas residency thing was wild, but Ded Flatbird was the wildest. The fact that there were people in the audience who didn't recognize the act and thought the frontman was actually throwing shade at Joe Elliott is something I'll be thinking about for a long time.
▪️ (Umm also Phil's wife apparently died twice during childbirth and was brought back to life in 2018. What a warrior. Unlike SOMEONE ELSE who also died twice and a couple years ago sent a cease-and-desist to Carmine Appice to shut him up and screw Mick Mars over. But we won't name any names!)
▪️ Fun fact: The Stadium Tour is the biggest tour of Def Leppard's entire career! So if you were at one of the shows (like me), congrats! We made Leppard history!

[Chris Strangeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad. I really like Def Leppard but this take a deep enough dive that I think I'd have to be a really die hard Def Leppard fan to give it as much attention as someone could.

[Mauri Baumann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love my rock and roll biographies. This is also a coffee table type book with lots of pictures. Can’t go wrong!!