Where did Def Leppard originate from? Are the original members of Def Leppard still together?

English rock band Def Leppard was formed in Sheffield, England in 1977.

The band previously named Atomic Mass was established in 1976 by Rick Savage, Tony Kenning, and Pete Doubleday. Pete Willis joined the Atomic Mass in 1977. That same year Joe Elliott also joined the band after missing a bus and meeting Pete Willis.

Lead singer Elliot then pitched a different name to his bandmate – Deaf Leopard, which was slightly modified later to be Def Leppard. The band would mix heavy metal and pop hooks, a stark contrast to punk and new wave peers.

The newly formed Def Leppard subsequently recruited guitarist Steve Clark and drummer Rick Allen for the recording of their debut EP. Frank Noon replaced drummer Tony Kenning when he left the band.

Pete Willis who co-wrote many tracks and played guitar on the band’s first three albums; On Through the Night, High ‘n’ Dry, and Pyromania, was fired in 1982 over excessive drinking and replaced by Phil Collen.

Following Steve Clark’s untimely death in 1991, Vivian Campbell came on as guitarist.

Are the original members of Def Leppard still together?

The founding members of Def Leppard were Joe Elliott (lead vocals,) Rick Savage (bass,) Pete Willis (guitar,) and Tony Kenning (drums).

However, Vocalist Joe Elliott and bassist Rick Savage are the sole remaining original members of Def Leppard.

The current Def Leppard members comprise Joe Elliott (lead Vocals), Rick Savage (bass and keys), Rick Allen (drums), Phil Collen (guitar), and Vivian Campbell (guitar).