Def Leppard will release the first of four career-spanning box sets on June 1.
Available in limited-edition 180-gram heavyweight vinyl and CD box sets, “Volume One” features the UK band’s first four studio albums alongside bonus live and studio material
Def Leppard’s 1980 debut, “On Through The Night”, introduced the band to fans outside of the UK; 1981’s “High ’N’ Dry” reached Top 30 status in the UK and Top 40 in the US; 1983’s “Pyromania” broke the band worldwide with hits like “Photograph” and “Rock Of Ages” while earning Diamoand status in the US for sales of more than 10 million copies; and, 1987’s “Hysteria” became the group’s best-selling project at 25 million worldwide and earning a very rare second US Diamond album.
The Volume One collection delivers bonus material including “Live At The LA Forum 1983”, originally released as a bonus disc in the deluxe CD version of “Pyromania”, making this the first-ever vinyl offering of the complete show; this 2LP version comes with a new sleeve and inner bags.
“Rarities Volume 1” has been specially compiled by Joe Elliott, containing rare B-sides and recordings from Def Leppard’s early years, all in a newly commissioned sleeve.
The collection is rounded out with a 7-inch vinyl single and 3-inch CD of Def Leppard’s original, self-titled EP.
In addition to the extensive audio package, “Volume One” also contains a hardback book with rare photos by longstanding band confidant Ross Halfin and liner notes by Classic Rock’s Paul Elliott.
Def Leppard bandmembers Joe Elliott, bassist Rick Savage, drummer Rick Allen, and guitarist Phil Collen have all also contributed their personal introductions to the collection.
“The way we did our harmonies was based on the multitracking abilities of a band like Queen, but we took what they did to the next level,” explains Elliott. “Queen maybe tripled or quadrupled their backing vocals - but we did it like 20 times! We wanted it to sound like the quality of Queen but have the size of Slade.
"The way we did it gave us a unique sound. And that’s the whole point of an album, really - capturing a band’s unique dynamics.”
Def Leppard will team up with Journey for an extensive, co-headlining tour of North America this year; the 6-month, 58-city trek will begin in Hartford, CT on May 21 and wrap up in Los Angeles in early October.
See also:
Def Leppard add second London show to UK tour
Def Leppard and Journey announce North American tour ticket details
Def Leppard announce Hysteria UK tour
Def Leppard and Journey announce North American tour
Search Def Leppard at hennemusic
