Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen, an O.C. resident, explores his bluesy side
Guitarist Phil Collen has definitely paid his dues. The 58-year-old has been with English rock band Def Leppard since 1982 and worked on 10 studio albums with the group as it continues to tour the world and perform in sold-out arenas and amphitheaters.
He’s grateful to be in such a position, calling it “wonderful” and he commented that getting out on a large stage in front of ginormous screens, with millions of dollars in lighting and pyrotechnics as the band plays songs such as “Hysteria,” “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Rock of Ages,” is a bit like “the ultimate rock star candy store.” However, lately Collen, who has resided in Laguna Hills for 25 years, said he’s digging playing smaller, more intimate clubs with his latest project, Delta Deep. The quartet will headline the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Thursday.
The band started when Collen met vocalist Debbi Blackwell-Cook, his wife Helen’s godmother, back in 2010. Since Blackwell-Cook would often visit the Collens’ O.C. home, the trio began playing music just for themselves at the house.
Collen said he’d pick up an acoustic guitar and Blackwell-Cook would sing and they’d cover Motown songs or funk classics.
After a performance for charity at the Gerson Institute in San Diego, Collen realized that the pair had something very special.
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