Rock Classics - the next Edition
Before I am jumping into my Dance Weekend first Edition 14 of my Rock Classics Series. As you know I grew up with Metal and Hard Rock before I joined the Techno business as a DJ. Rock Classics for me included that 70ies / 80ies / 90ies style of Metal, Hard Rock and even mainstream Rock that could include ballads. Hey - I always been a romantic person.
It is shocking but interesting what people think and even Wikipedia writes when it comes to define Metal Music. Look what hey say about the Hard Rock or Heavy Metal Music Genre:
Heavy metal (or simply metal) is a genre of rock music[1] that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the United Kingdom and the United States.[2] With roots in blues rock and psychedelic rock,[3] the bands that created heavy metal developed a thick, massive sound, characterized by highly amplified distortion, extended guitar solos, emphatic beats, and overall loudness. Heavy metal lyrics and performance styles are sometimes associated with aggression and machismo.[3]
Especially the association with aggression and machismo is probably the one thing which is completely the opposite - most of these Metal Guys are are the real peaceful folks on Earth, do you agree?
Presenting Def Leppard
Def Leppard is a hard rock band from England - even they sound American according to my understanding - love their sounds. They were formed back in 1977 and started as one of these new wave British Heavy Metal Bands in Sheffield.
They had most commercial success in the 80ies until the start of 1990ies. One of the best rock producers helped them to develop their own style. John "Mutt" Lange produced their album High 'n' Dry in 1981 which was their first success. I have always been a fan of this producers - he produced a lot of the music I like, other Rock Classics acts he produced include popular names such as:
- Foreigner
- AC/DC
- The Boomtown Rats
- The Cars
- Bryn Adams
- Huey Lewis
- Nickelback
Not mentioning he is also produced some non-rock stuff, surprisingly the likes of:
- Britney Spears (!?! - really?)
- Michael Bolton (brrrrrrr)
- Billy Ocean
- Maroon 5
- Lady Gaga
As a producer he is genius so we forgive him the productions for Britney, Billy and Michael.
Back to Def Leppard
The mentioned 1981 album included a song that became one of the first rock videos ever played on MTV: "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" (see below).
The following albums turned them into one of the most popular Rock Bands of that time. I bought them all on Vinyl and still play them frequently. They had numerous Chart Breakers - even a No. 1 on the US Billboard Single Charts with "Love Bites" (below).
This and more of their great rock songs in the following! Makes me feel young again! Enjoy it and feel free to comment if you might also are a fan or even saw them Live or even know them personally! Over the course of their career they sold more than 100 million records around the world.
Sources: YouTube and Wikipedia