Remember, they sold more than 20 million albums in the 80's, and that was just Pyromania and Hysteria. The pretty much invented the big guitar and the big backing vocal sound, yet everytime you hear of influential bands in rock history, you never hear Leppard's name mentioned. They're still around, still rocking, but I don't think they get their just dues. Plus, how many bands do you know have a drummer with only one arm?
2006-09-27 15:14:40 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
I like Def Leppard, and they do deserve credit for their efforts, but they didn't invent the big guitar sound. They took it from other bands like Led Zeppelin. In fact, their name, it's spelling, and the way the font was used on their album covers is uncannily similar to that of Led Zeppelin. And if you listen to early interviews, they actually reference songs such as Stairway to Heaven when describing their own songs. That being said, Def Leppard was an amazing group in it's heyday. When I was fifteen I wouldn't listen to anything else. Hysteria is one of the greatest rock albums ever made. But like many other rock bands who experience success, their songs became formulaic because they wanted to do exactly what had worked before. Adrenalize and Retro-Active were just attempts to recreate Hysteria. Because of that, Def Leppard will always be known as an 80's band. Other bands of that era, such as U2, took chances and recreated their sound but still kept their identity. There is a vast difference between the music on U2's Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby, but both are legendary albums. In all fairness, Def Leppard did attempt to recreate their sound with Slang, which was definitely their best album after Hysteria. However, it seemed more like an attempt to regain their fleeting popularity instead of an honest attempt to experiment. Truly great bands and musicians are ahead of their time. They do what hasn't been done before. Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, the Ramones, and Nirvana were innovators who took risks and made their own styles, and that is why they deserve credit in rock history. Bands like Def Leppard were simply followers who simply built upon what was already popular and accepted.
2006-09-27 16:30:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yeah I know what you mean. I don't LOVE them but they're pretty good, and they were very influential in rock. When people talk about classic rock, all they say is "Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, The Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynrd, etc." Def Leppard are left out quite often. I never really thought about it but not that I am, you're right.
And oh yeah, I can't get over that one-armed drummer. I hardly know anyone who can drum well with two arms!
2006-09-27 22:24:22 · answer #2 · answered by wsxuyhb;iyfoutf 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love Def Leppard. People usually laugh when you mention Def Leppard. Why is that? Motley Crue, now there's a band to laugh at. Def Leppard actually had an awesome sound and were talented. In the public eye, yes, they were underrated. In my eyes, no.
2006-09-27 22:33:34 · answer #3 · answered by Fool in the Rain 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Def Leppard is still out there doing what they do best, and still putting out new stuff. Van Halen is very good, but where are they now? Same goes for Led Zep. Your right, they don't get their props, but its still good that they still are out there rockin.
2006-09-27 22:25:20 · answer #4 · answered by hysteria75 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When it comes to Def Lepperd, the only albums I''m into are High n Dry and Pyromania. They are both a work of art. Don't care for anything that came after.
2006-09-27 22:19:04 · answer #5 · answered by BARD 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
They got what they deserved 20 years ago. Music evolves, and bands either evolve with it or become "classic." Def Leppard hasn't changed much despite their one-armed drummer.
2006-09-27 22:22:56 · answer #6 · answered by tsopolly 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
the drummer has one arm.. but that doesnt make him any better than a drummer with 2 arms.. that doesnt make the band better than every other band..... def leppard is like the rolling stones.. they were good, and now they are just getting old.
2006-09-27 22:21:39 · answer #7 · answered by Go Mike 4 · 2⤊ 3⤋
They used to be good, but they changed their music style, so now they suck. Since they did this, they are not underrated. As far as "inventing" the "big guitar", I don't think they did that. Van Halen was around before they were, and Zepplin was around before Van Halen.
2006-09-27 22:20:08 · answer #8 · answered by esugrad97 5 · 2⤊ 3⤋
I kinda agree with you there.
2006-09-27 22:19:27 · answer #9 · answered by CrazyDelmar 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no i dis agree
2006-09-27 22:22:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋