Phil Collen Wants To Keep Politics Out Of Music
Phil Collen Wants To Keep Politics Out Of Music
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Tonight, English neo-glam rock band Def Leppard will play their hits "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and "Hysteria" at the Lakeview Amphitheater. REO Speedwagon and Tesla the Band open the show.
Lead guitarist Phil Collen joined Def Leppard in 1982, replacing Pete Willis. He's been known for decades as "the ripped one" who often ditches his shirt in the middle of a show.
Lately, Collen says he's been "fantastic," in a phone call from Sacramento. He's been enjoying the warm California sun and even basking in some Hollywood limelight. Earlier this year, he appeared on "Pawn Stars" when a woman brought in a Jackson guitar with Phil Collen's signature, hoping to score a cool 10 grand. The show called the Def Leppard guitarist himself to authenticate it.
"These things have popped all over the world," said Collen. "I did 30 of these for Jackson Guitar's 30th anniversary. I splash-painted them all myself, plus 10 'practice runs.' When they pop up, it's a relic. It's amazing."
He still owns a couple of the original painted guitars, and uses them on tour. He promised to bring one to Syracuse.
Despite a long rock career spanning almost four decades, Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott said the band would "politely refuse" an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in an interview with The Huffington Post last year. Collen said he "absolutely" feels the same way.
"It's a big tribute just to hear our stuff on the radio," he said.
Wouldn't that disappoint Def Leppard's longtime fans, though? One Facebook group titled "Put Def Leppard in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" has more than 2,500 members.
Read the full article at Syracuse.com.