Members

Def Leppard band was initially compiled by a bunch of schoolboys back in 1977 with the first lineup consisting of vocalist Joe Elliott, drummer Tony Kenning, bassist Rick Savage, and guitarist Pete Willis.

Rick Savage, Tony Kenning, and Pete Willis all went to the same school in Tapton in the Sheffield, South Yorkshire and joined their forces to form the Atomic Mass in 1977. It was renamed into Def Leppard after Joe Elliott joined the band a bit later in November as the vocalist following a fortuitous encounter with Pete Willis after missing his bus.

Guitarist Steve Clark completed the first formation of the Def Leppard band in January 1978 after an impressive performance at the auditions. The same year Tony Kenning abruptly left the group to start his own band Cairo . Frank Noon stepped in as the group was working on of their first three-song release but was soon replaced by the 15-year-old drummer Rick Allen.

Personal adversities affected the band’s formation throughout their long-standing career but Def Leppard current squad has been consistent since 1992.

Currently, Def Leppard band consists of Joe Elliott (lead vocals), Rick Savage (bassist, backing vocals), Rick Allen (drums, backing vocals), Phil Collen (guitar, backing vocals), and Vivian Campbell (guitar, backing vocals). This is the longest-standing line-up in the band’s history.

The list of all Def Leppard members

Former members

Tony Kenning – drums, percussion (1977–1978)
Pete Willis – guitar, backing vocals (1977–1982)
Steve Clark – guitar, backing vocals (1978–1991) died 1991

Current members

Rick Savage - bass, backing vocals, additional guitar, additional keyboards (1977–present)
Joe Elliott - lead vocals, additional guitar, additional keyboards (1977–present)
Rick Allen - drums, percussion, backing vocals (1978–present)
Phil Collen - guitar, backing vocals (1982–present)
Vivian Campbell - guitar, backing vocals (1992–present)