Def Leppard have stayed together for 34 years because they’ve all retained a “sense of humour”.
The band’s frontman Joe Elliott, 66, has reflected on spending more than three decades in the spotlight with the same line-up with bandmates Rick Savage, Rick Allen, Phil Collen, and Vivian Campbell – calling the feat “insane” and insisting they have all managed to stay friends over the years because they are able to laugh together.
He told Rock Candy magazine: “The fact that we’re all mates and everybody knows it. The fact that we’ve had the same lineup for 34 years now is insane.
“A sense of humor has kept this band together, and I think that comes across to the fans.
“We do what we do and for some bizarre reason people still like it … We have to keep making music. We’ve got heads full of songs and we’re going to die unhappy if we never get them written. “
Elliott went on to confirmed Def Leppard’s next album is coming in 2027 and it’s likely to be followed by another tour.
He added: “If we’re going to make a new album, then we’re going to tour. And we’re making a new record now that will be released next year. Why? Because we’re not done yet.”
It comes after Elliott revealed the band made a big change to their recording process it’s given them enough material for two new albums.
He used to invite his bandmates to his home studio to record tunes, but since the coronavirus pandemic the group started recording remotely instead – and it’s been a huge positive for their lives.
Speaking to France 24, he said: “We’ve developed a whole new method of recording, which was brought on by COVID.
“I’ve got a studio at home, and everybody has always gracefully come to my house to record. We’d do a month at a time, and then everybody goes home. But they couldn’t travel.
“So we ended up recording remotely, and we found it to be exhilarating. Everybody got to be at home with their families, yet still make a record.
“And we trusted each other that we were writing songs. And so everybody just played on everybody else’s bits, and it’s easy to do.
“We don’t all record in one room when we are in the same studio – we do it, the drums and the bass and the guitars and the vocals; it’s all layered.”
He added: “So we’ve actually almost got two albums recorded. So we’re still deciding which songs are gonna go on album one, if you like.”
Def Leppard – who are known for big hits such as Pour Some Sugar on Me, Photograph, Love Bites, Rock of Ages, and Animal – recently played a 12-date Las Vegas residency, Def Leppard: Live at Caesars Palace The Las Vegas Residency, throughout February 2026.
