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Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott told The Irish News that while he’s honored to tour with the likes of Styx and REO Speedwagon, don’t expect to see his band on the road with any of the bands who shared chart space with it during the Hysteria era. “We refused to go out with Poison or Winger or Warrant or any of those shite bands,” he said. “It’s a real pity that a lot of the newer bands we’ve dug over the years haven’t actually dug us. But that’s just music, man.” Those “newer” bands include Stereophonics and Manic Street Preachers, just to give you an idea of Elliott’s internal timeline and, uh, general assessment of what isn’t “shite.” Well! Let’s see what is and isn’t “shite” in your eyes, readers. I picked my favorite songs from each of the artists Old Joe disses–as well as one from his own band, and one from each of his U.S. touring partners this summer. Which do you prefer?
OK, I’m realizing now this might not be that fair of a fight. Oh well, at least I know now that there’s a reason I woke up with “I Hate Myself For Lovin’ You” in my head this morning.
(FYI, I really tried to not use “Seventeen” as Winger’s pick. But there wasn’t much, unless you count that track Kip did with Fiona, which hasn’t aged all that well but which I still like:
He really does have super-nice teeth.)
Let’s Get ROCKED [Irish News via Sleaze Roxx]
“Seventeen” by Ladytron a la Elliott – THAT would be something.
“headed for a heartbreak” holds up just fine against “love bites”
Funny how the “newer” acts he mentions are all best known for recycling ’70s and ’80s rock tricks. The Manics were amazing in the day though.
Winger doing “Headed for a Heartbreak” on ‘Unplugged’ is among the best performances I’ve ever seen on TV by anyone of anything. I can see you’re skeptical, so here it is:
Be sure to stick around for the last minute, when they quite nearly discover an acoustic-hair-metal/free-jazz hybrid.
oh, totally “photograph.” i was obsessed with that song for a minute as a wee thing (and “rock of ages”, and most of hysteria.) my vote might change though if there was a different poison song up, or if you’d included “18 and life” (although i appreciate that skid row is not being categorized with the dudes above).
i can see how joe elliott should not throw stones, given some of DL’s cheezier output (i.e. “pour some sugar on me.”) i know they did try to take a turn for the “serious” in more recent years, though, which may be where the love for MSP, et. al came in. i distinctly recall an early 00s DL song that was kind of “kashmir”-lite. (i cannot so distinctly recall whether or not it sucked.)
wow, clearly i don’t want to do actual work today, do i?
I kind of cheated: I wouldn’t cover “Photograph,” but I voted for it. Because the original recording of “Photograph” is near-perfect as it is.
Sorry, but given the above choices, it’s no contest, with Joan running a respectable second place.
also, “are you getting it?” = great tag, although i’m probably going to have the song it pertains to stuck in my head all day now…
c’mon steve, get it!
@Chris Molanphy: totes
@Lax Danja House:
Also that they’re both Welsh. WHY, OH WHY, CAN’T DEF LEPPARD EARN THE RESPECT OF THEIR MODERN-DAY (errrrr, mid-90s really were their heyday but who’s counting) COAL MINING, LEEK EATING, FIRE BREATHING ROCK COUNTERPARTS?
Signed,
The Girl Still Saving for the Laser Removal of a
Poorly Thought Out Manic Street Preachers Tattoo She Got at the Impressionable Age of 17
I suppose that I somewhat disagree with the methodology at work here. If I choose to cover A over B, it by no means follows that I believe that A is a better song than B. For example, B may be more iconic than A and thus less ‘coverable’. Then again, I did vote for Poison, so I may be rationalizing.
I’ve always wanted to believe that Kip and Fiona are using the true definition of “sexing,” which is to determine someone’s gender.
Styx FTW.
Also, Joe, maybe, just maybe, you guys are now one of those shite bands too? (Respect given for Pyromania however.) Those newer bands? Well, who wants to open for an oldies act except other oldies acts?
@thearcanemodel:
It’s a little older than that, but I’ll bet you’re thinking of “Desert Song”:
It was all over when you put ‘Photograph’ up there. Hands down easily one of the best songs from the 80’s.
What does he know? REO Speedwagon and Styx are about to sign huge deals with Live Nation.
@Captain Wrong: Ya mon, I’m down with Styx. I just listened to”Renegade” and “The Best of Times” recently.
I don’t give a damn about my bad reputation.
Hmm… a bunch of bands who were about as close to the spirit of rock and roll as Kenny G, or a woman who really did rock. No contest. Joan Jett.
@Lieutenant 030: to be honest, i didn’t actually see joan jett up there before i first commented. and i’m a little confused as to why she’s on this list. i guess she’s one of the “touring partners”?
that might have changed my vote but it’s still kind of a close one.
Yesss, Joan Jett rules big time, but what about Styx? Aw man.
Def Leppard is fairly awesome. If Elliott is looking 4 some pre-tour publicity, he shld go to Africa and adopt a tribe or some such. Sorry 4 the double post.