Def Leppard - Hysteria (1987)

I have never been a big fan of Def Leppard. I do enjoy some of their songs. But I have more than one good reasons to write about them. First, "Hysteria" was part of the golden era of heavymetal (1987-88); the era where I developed my passion to rock music. Second, I have great respect for them as a band, as well as individuals. Def Leppard is an example on how a band can - and decided - to survive despite many tragedies. Third, they will also be remembered as a band who keep exploring their musical side, and refused to stay in one musical style.

The band's most notable story was about drummer Rick Allen, who lost his left arm in a car accident in December 1984. At that time, the band has started the "Hysteria" project. Instead of finding a new drummer, the band chose to stay besides Allen. Almost miraculously, Allen found a way to play drum with one arm. He found that his legs could substitute some drumming parts previously done with his arms. Allen has given the new meaning of "playing music single-handedly".

The incident delayed "Hysteria" for three years. When it was finally released in 1987, a huge commercial success followed. The album went into first in UK and US charts, and stayed in the Top 100 for weeks. It was one of the best-selling rock/metal albums in the history. The single "Pour Some Sugar on Me" reached number 2 in Billboard Top 100. Other singles like "Rocket", "Hysteria", "Love Bites" also enjoyed commercial success between 1987-88.

A couple of years later another tragedy hit the band. Guitarist Steve Clark died in 1991 because of an accidental mix of alcohol and prescribed drugs. Prior to that, Clark went to alcohol rehabilitation for a couple of years. Clark was replaced by Vivian Campbell (formerly Dio and Whitesnake) - who is now struggling with cancer.

Def Leppard is also known for their constant search of music style. They started their journey as one of the founders of the 'New Wave of British Heavymetal' in the late-1970s and early 1980s. The wave that also brought Iron Maiden and Judas Priest to our ears. In their first two albums, they played heavier and more raw music. In "Hysteria" they played lighter music, with melodious riff and dance floor-friendly drum beat (I sometimes thought they played disco songs with guitar effects). "Hysteria" made them considered in the same league as other glam/hairmetal bands, an association they never liked.

Maybe that was the reason they changed sound in the 1990s. Or perhaps the change of music was their respond to the grunge era. Or they just wanted to play a different type of music. But in the 1990s and early 2000s Def Leppard, like Bon Jovi, tried to distanced themselves from hairmetal. Later Def Leppard returned the ties when they toured with 1980s rock musicians like Lita Ford.

Life is full of tragedies. But the way Def Leppard handled them, stayed besides each other as friends, and continue making music, in one of the best thing could happen in this world.

Favorite tracks: Hysteria, Pour Some Sugar on Me