Despite Def Leppard’s significant role in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) scene, Elliott is adamant that his band doesn’t quite fit the heavy metal mold. Speaking on the Rockonteurs podcast with Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt, Elliott expressed his distaste for the term.
“At 64, I find the label ‘heavy metal’ too limiting and frankly, a bit silly,” Elliott commented. “It gives off the wrong impression—like we’re all just noise and no nuance, which isn’t the case at all.”
Elliott argued for a broader understanding of rock music. “If you’re going to call us heavy metal, then you might as well label The Rolling Stones the same. It’s all just two guitars, bass, drums, and a singer, isn’t it? I prefer ‘rock’ because it avoids the trap of pigeonholing. Why can’t we embrace being a rock band, a pop band, or even both?”
He continued to challenge the traditional genre boundaries by referencing other bands. “Look at AC/DC; they’re essentially a blues rock band. Bands like UFO and Thin Lizzy, or even Motorhead, were heavily influenced by blues. Queen wasn’t a heavy metal band, though they had a few heavier tracks, thanks to Brian May. We’re similar in that sense; rooted in rock, definitely leaning into heavy rock, but not confined by it.”
This July, Def Leppard will embark on a North American tour, sharing the stage with Journey in a series of stadium concerts. The shows will also feature performances by either Cheap Trick, the Steve Miller Band, or Heart, adding a diverse range of rock flavours to the lineup.
Full dates available on Loudersound.com
“WE ARE rooted in rock, but not confined by it”
Joe Elliott
