In retrospect, Elliott wished Allom had been less involved. Acting more like an engineer than a producer, Allom encouraged Def Leppard to be themselves and he would capture their energy. The group recorded 11 songs for On Through the Night, which was heavily influenced by Thin Lizzy, UFO and Aerosmith. At the end of 1979, the band entered Startling Studios in Ascot, England, with producer Tom Allom (Black Sabbath, Judas Priest). Other DJs followed Peel’s lead, and a couple of BBC studio sessions (featured in the box set) later, Def Leppard was signed. “Soon after, he called me up and said, ‘OK, I’m playing it tonight.’ He played a song a night for five straight nights.” “I asked him if he’d give it a listen, and he asked me to write my phone number on it,” says Elliott. Afterward, the singer sidled up to Peel and handed him the EP. This is a list of all the studio albums, compilations and Video releases by the band.Def Leppard’s first step toward fame came in January 1979 when Elliott attended a University of Sheffield DJ event attended by BBC radio legend John Peel. References Studio albums, compilations & DVDs Dave Cousins – voice on 'When the Walls Came Tumblin' Down'.He also stated that the band's ambition 'would never allow to be tunnel-visioned', but he concluded that the album 'can be categorized as a grower of an album since the more superficial elements that would appeal to the mainstream will initially distract some listeners from what is actually an incredibly tight musical and vocal performance.' Rolling Stone's David Fricke found the album favourable, explaining that it 'shows they not only respect their elders, they've taken cues from their New Wave peers, too.' He also stated that 'guitarists Pete Willis and Steve Clark shoot from the hip, packing their licks into tight, three-minute pop arrangements', and that lead singer Joe Elliott 'wails wonderfully in a resonating tenor, fortified by backup harmonies and Tom Allom's battering-ram production.' He concluded that the album 'is awfully impressive for a band making its vinyl debut.' He noted that the 'middle-class common-man image' of the 'New Wave of British Heavy Metal' movement 'partially played a part in making Def Leppard one of leaders'. He noted that it 'established the band as one of the leading lights of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.' He also called it 'a collection of working-class hard rock anthems informed by the big, glittering hooks of glam rock.' Although he stated that 'it may lack the detailed production and more pop-oriented songwriting of later efforts,' but concluded that 'some Leppard fans prefer this sound.' A staff member at Sputnik Music rated the album three out of five points. The album was produced by Tom Allom.Īllmusic's Steve Huey rated On Through the Night three-and-a-half out of five stars. However, the version of 'Wasted' that appears on the single is a different recording from that of the LP, as is its B-side, 'Hello America'. ' Wasted', ' Rock Brigade' (b/w ' When the Walls Came Tumbling Down') and ' Hello America' were released as singles. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA on. Other tracks are rerecorded versions of early demos, some of which appeared on the First Strike and Warchild bootlegs. The album features re-recorded versions of ' Rocks Off' and ' Overture', tracks from the band's original independently released EP, The Def Leppard E.P. It charted at #51 on the Billboard 200 and #15 on the UK Albums Chart. On Through the Night is the debut album by English rock band Def Leppard, released in 1980. December 1979 at Startling Studios, Ascot, Berkshire

Def leppard on through the night