By: Jesse Striewski
I remember when VH1 first premiered its made-for-television bio pic Hysteria – The Def Leppard Story back in 2001, and how ultimately intrigued and fascinated it got me. This time the band presents their own story, in their own words, in this massive, detailed-oriented book that even the most causal of fans will be able to appreciate.
Beginning appropriately with their humble roots in Sheffield, England in 1977 by vocalist Joe Elliot, bassist Rick Savage, guitarist Pete Willis, and drummer Tony Keating, it thankfully does not simply gloss over the band’s formation, even allowing early members – and late guitarist Steve Clark via archival interviews – to share their voices to some degree.
As each subsequent member comes along in the story, such as drummer Rick Allen, and guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campell, they’re each given a platform to share their versions of events from joining, all the way up to today. All this is presented with new unique glossy photos to boot.
I’ve long since loved a good back story for as long as I can remember now; if you’re anything like me at all, this should quench your thirst for one just the same.
Rating: 4/5 Stars
