Formed in Sheffield, England in 1977, Def Leppard became a part of the new wave of British heavy metal in the early ’80s. The third studio album Pyromania is the second to be produced by Robert John “Mutt” Lange after the success of the previous album, High n Dry, moving the bands roots to a more radio friendly sound with songs like “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak”. Pyromania, released in January of 1983, was the first album to feature guitarist Phil Collen who replaced Pete Willis, although both appear on the album. The lead single “Photograph” not only got a ton of radio airplay but heavy rotation on MTV and had four more singles from that album. The album sold over 12 million copies in the U.S. and 20 million worldwide making it No. 384 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Four years later they would double those numbers with Hysteria. At this time, we would like to induct Def Leppard’s Pyromania into the WPLR Hall of Fame.
Learn more about the album:
How Def Leppard Ran From Cliches on Pyromania Cover Art
Pyromania: The Explosive Album That Turned Def Leppard Into Superstars
With Pyromania, Def Leppard made a pop-metal hybrid for the ages
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