Friday, February 16: Tig's Rock Birthdays

Happy Birthday today (Feb. 16) to Pete Willis. The former Def Leppard guitarist is 58. Also celebrating is former Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo (53).

(L to R) Kerry King, Dave Lombardo, Jeff Hanneman and Tom Araya of band Slayer arrive at the Kerrang! Awards 2005, the annual music magazine's prestigious awards, at The Brewery on August 24, 2006 in London, England. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images)

Pete Willis was an original guitarist for Def Leppard and co-wrote many songs on the first three albums (On Through the Night, High ‘n’ Dry, and Pyromania). In 1982, he was fired from Def Leppard and replaced by Phil Collen while the band was recording the Pyromania album. Initial success for the band came with the 1981 album “High and Dry”, but it was 1983’s “Pyromania” that would become their breakthrough album, getting certified Diamond in the U.S. for 10 million copies sold and the mega hit “Photograph”.

Gotta love Def Leppard. After all these years, I still love the band to this day, but there is no denying that early Leppard will always reign supreme. Cheers to Pete Willis on his birthday! Crank up some old school Def Leppard today in his honor. I recommend "Let it Go" off the High 'n' Dry album.

Filed Under: dave lombardo, happy birthday, Pete Willis

Categories: Around Albany, Music News, Rock

Friday, February 16: Tig’s Rock Birthdays