Def Leppard Thanks Fans for Support on Rock Hall Vote

2019-02-13

Story by Cat Badra, photo by Anne Erickson

Def Leppard’s Rick Allen says “the fact it was fans” that got them into the Rock Hall makes the honor extra special

Def Leppard is set to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, and drummer Rick Allen thinks the honor is extra special because a lot of it has to do with the fans. Speaking with Atlantic City Weekly about the Rock Hall pick, Allen says that for the guys of Def Leppard, the thing that made it “really special” was that they got so much of the fan vote.

“I’m not sure how much of an influence it has in terms of, you know, sort of point system or whatever, or how that relates, but I think when that many people come out and vote, it has to have some sort of influence and that, to us, was the most important part of the whole process,” Allen said in the interview. “The fact that it was fans and not necessarily board members, you know, sitting around a table trying to decide who deserves this.”

He added, “They’re the ones that come to the concerts and, you know, going to a live concert is a very personal experience and I doubt everybody out there that decided on whether we were going to be in the Hall Of Fame, I doubt whether all of them have even been to one of our concerts. But when you go to a Def Leppard concert and you see the reaction, you experience the reaction of Def Leppard fans, then you go, ‘Wow.’ This is really cool, very special and I’m just happy that so many people came out and voted for us.”

Last month, guitarist Phil Collen discussed his thoughts on the Rock Hall honor with Q104 radio station in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He stated that “it’s not something I really follow,” but that, above all, he’s pumped to perform at the event.

“My real buzz is actually getting up there and playing live,” Collen said. The fact that I’m 61 and I can still run around like a 20-year-old is pretty amazing. And playing these songs that we’ve written that do stand (the test of time). Some of these songs we’ve got are 35 years old and older, and we’re actually out there playing them and people really dig them. That, to me, is a big deal. All the other stuff — award ceremonies and all that stuff — not really my thing, I’ve gotta say.”

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony is set for March 29 at Brooklyn, New York’s Barclays Center.

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Cat Badra

Meet the expert - Cat Badra is a music writer for Audio Ink Radio and a range of other music, sports and lifestyle publications. She's a graduate of Michigan State University with a master's degree in theater and speech. Contact her at cat@audioinkradio.com.