Iconic '80s Rocker, 65, Says Fans Would Riot If They Skipped Certain Songs

Parade via Yahoo ^ | 7/29/25 | Whitney Danhauer

[DallasBiff]

Def Leppard is gearing up for another Las Vegas residency, and frontman Joe Elliott admitted that narrowing down the setlist is “always a challenge.”

“We've kind of grown into a routine of what we like to call the A, B and C list,” the longtime frontman explained during an interview with Houston Life. “And your A list is your crown jewels, the ones that if you don't play them, you wouldn't get out the building alive. And then there's the B list of interesting stuff. And then the C list is, like, 'Oh, that's interesting. They haven't played that one in 40 years.'”

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TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Music/Entertainment
KEYWORDS: defleppard; joeelliot; music; nevada; poursomesugaronme

[discostu]

And possibly the most famous one is Pinball Wizard. I’ve never heard Townsend outright hate it, but famously he apologized for it when they first recorded it and he’s regularly said he doesn’t think it’s very good.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

“ I am not familiar with any of those.”

That was exactly my point. There are LOTS of great musicians making incredible music but they are unknown. Spotify is a Godsend because you can find mixes in a genre you like, then “like” songs you find pleasing. I “like” maybe one out of ten songs I find on various playlists by other people or playlists that Spotify creates for me. It’s so cool that you can find playlists by other people with similar tastes in music and add their “liked” songs to your own playlists. That’s how I’ve grown my playlists over the past several years.

I started off 20 years ago ripping all my CDs into iTunes and buying more CDs, but a whole ‘nother world opened up when I bought Spotify.

[dfwgator]

I don’t like it though when people diss their own songs, because it’s basically insulting the people who do like the song. Best to just keep those opinions to yourself.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Indeed. Whoever would have thought you could discover an ancient music genre from Saharan Africa?

[dfwgator]

Indeed. Whoever would have thought you could discover an ancient music genre from Saharan Africa?

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On another thread, I mentioned “Zamrock”, apparently in Zambia in the 1970s, psychedelic music was huge, and there were a lot of bands that were playing it, some of it is pretty good.

[discostu]

Depends on how they say it, but yeah it can leave a bad taste. In Townsend’s case I find it amusing, partly because the songs of his he thinks are great are complete turds (like English Boy off whatever solo album that was). It’s funny to see how one of the greatest songwriters of his generation actually has no idea what makes a song good.

[dfwgator]

That said, “Chinese Eyes” is one of my favorite albums of all time. It’s much better than any of Pete’s other solo albums.

[cableguymn]

I like Leo’s remake better than the original..

Then again I am kind of a head banger.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX_d641zrmM&list=RDgX_d641zrmM&start_radio=1

[GOP_Party_Animal]

LOL. I was going to ask if T.B. was a Boomer. Figures.

[jpp113]

Saw them in the early 80’s too in Providence, RI at the Performing Arts Center, opening for The Blizzard of Ozz. 4th row, right center. Def Leppard were still youngsters then, but put on a great show. Ozzy was fantastic, picking up Randy Rhoads while he was playing and carrying him around the stage, Randy never missing a beat. One of my top 5 shows that I’ve been to

[Dr. Sivana]

“Def Leppard”? I’d call that my “Z List.” Or maybe my “Zero List” since I’ve never heard any of their music.

My freshman year roommate kept on playing "pyromania". Drove me crazy. So, I sold him my "Best of ELO" cassette for $1. I found out that when he played it repeatedly it got pretty tiresome, but not as bad as "Pyromania" and "Duran Duran".

[billphx]

Pat Benetar has been refusing to play “hit me with your best shot” because of “gun violence” ...........

[Kazan]

Or maybe my “Zero List” since I’ve never heard any of their music.

Were you in coma in the '80s?

They were one of the biggest bands of the decade.

[left that other site]

Now if’in in twere the Allman Brothers, thats something different.

If it were the Allman Brothers, they would just keep playing till everybody was happy. I've been to 2-hour concerts that went to 5. Just because. RIP Duane and Greg, and the brothers who are gone now.

[CrimsonTidegirl]

Recently, Def Leppard performed in Tuscaloosa. I would have loved to attend that show.

No flames here. Speaking as someone who came of age in the 80’s, Def Leppard were one of my favorites.

I’m happy that they are still touring and, judging by some YouTube videos of their recent shows , still sound great.

Duran Duran, with whom I was completely obsessed, are also still going strong.

[DallasBiff]

Duran Duran, with whom I was completely obsessed, are also still going strong.

Thank you, now I will have that 43 year old song, "Hungry Like A Wolf" in my head all day, "Dah, dada do dd, do"

[CrimsonTidegirl]

My apologies:)

[af_vet_1981]

Now if’in in twere the Allman Brothers, thats something different.

As in Duane Allman with the band in 1970 at the Fillmore East …

[higgmeister]

I'm with you on that.   I couldn't tell you a Def Leopard song even if I was imprisoned in the Dry Tortugas.

[higgmeister]

Spotify is a Godsend because you can find mixes in a genre you like, then “like” songs you find pleasing. I “like” maybe one out of ten songs I find on various playlists by other people or playlists that Spotify creates for me.

Too funny.   All of my music was on albums and I have never had the urge to find out anything about Spotify.   I always felt that it was a scammer taking money to hear songs you could hear for free, even on the radio.