Poster and book originate from the Hall of Fame and was purchased by my awesome wife who knew how monumentous this item meant to me - LP followed and was released on Record Store Day.

As not only a collector I’m also a huge fan and have been for a very long time. The pinnacle of any artist’s career can be summed up with their induction into the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is reserved for artists that not only had an impact on music but influence as well and to see them take the stage that evening is a moment of pride and moments with tears of joy streaming down my face. They’ve achieved the pinnacle of their success in the eyes of the music world and its these pieces that are by far the most important pieces of my collection.

This album will solidify my Fandom, I had been a fan since the initial purchase of Pyromania at a local Target store but this will come the day of “In The Round, In Your Face” and it was sheer luck that I got the autographs at all. A school friend, Alan, was dating a girl Gina who was working towards being a beautician and worked at her aunts salon on weekends, and sometimes after school. The salon was near downtown but Alan will be notified by Gina telling him to grab me and get me down there as her aunts salon was randomly selected to do their hair. I showed up with Alan and my best friend Bob, not only did I get the autographs I also got a pair of tickets and will be forever immortalized in the Pour Some Sugar On Me Video at around the 4:12 mark.

This piece was actually discovered by my wife. Although I’m a collector she is responsible for a lot of stuff that is added because she deliberately searches and gets notifications and this was one of them. She tells the story that once she is made aware and knows they’ve been released she is on a quest throughout Colorado looking at every Target store for one and finds it not too far from where I’m working and they have one; mind you she is told or read that there are only like 5 released in Colorado or something like that. She asks them to hold it. The greatest moment is when I get home she can’t, for the life of her, contain her excitement and takes me upstairs and seats me down telling me to close my eyes. She place it on my lap and it is a complete surprise and the coolest thing ever. She could not contain her excitement! The amp, well if there’s a guitar there has to be an amp. The amp is unique in that it is multifaceted - I can plug my other guitars into it or play music through the Bluetooth.

Most of these pieces, in the incomplete phase, were collected at the record stores. Sam Goodies at Villa Italia Mall & JB&H. The reason of their importance is it’ll be Women and Love Bites that will start me down the rabbit hole of collecting. Be it at the time of collecting it is lost on me that the purpose of the odd sleeves is when you collect them all it’ll make a cover. Several years will go by and I will be at an impasse because I can’t find the missing 2 not knowing they are releases in the UK. My wife, when we got together, will be shown the incomplete Hysteria album and will make it her mission to find the missing pieces going as far as finding what she thought was the piece but turns out it contained other items (Rocket-Brit Pack). 2018 she’ll be notified that they’re doing a rerelease and puts my order in and I should have it by December but I don’t. Emails through the entity that supposed to send it go back and forth ultimately cancelling the order. 2019 she will order from Amazon and I will receive the reissue and a few days/weeks after I will receive the one pre-ordered in October. All’s well, it ends well.

•  Warchild-Demo Tapes 1978/BBC Live 1980-NO 049 •  E.P-Fan club release-MSB 001 •  Def Leppard BBC Concert-Rick Allen AutographedTR-78 •  Rock Brigade-Promo-MK 144 • On Through the Night-28PD 525

The early years simply establish Def Leppard as a band in their rawness. They’re still developing their sound and draw people in. Regrettably I don’t stop collecting collectable stuff until Hysteria as I did not know about record stores, eBay, etc. War Child and the BBC concert are Bootlegs and were found at JB&H. The special part of this CD is not only the autograph but how it was received. My daughter does not live with us so when her sweet 16 is approaching I’m at a loss of what I can get her. The year prior she had to do a report on inspirational people and she chose Rick Allen and was just amazed at his fortitude and perseverance and how he overcame an obvious disability and pushed through. The report was huge and included a display but I was not involved and did not know she was doing this report. When she brought it over I was simply amazed at her creativity and artistry and it dawned on me that I should do the Meet & Greet he was doing for Raven Drums. My wife sat at the computed bidding on 2 tickets for nearly 4 hours and even lost out only to have them re-appear. With sheer luck she won the bid and I was able to take my daughter to meet a person she idolized all for her 16th Birthday. E.P was found through the fan club. OTTN was found at a place called Don’s Disc in which I was actually lost not trying to find it and stumbled through the door. Found several pieces and got to speak with Don himself who liked Bluegrass. Although this was a Mom & Pop store it was actually very large. The Rock Brigade Promo was part of an estate sale or “lot” sale on eBay. Several items will be won which included this piece and a favorite due to the logo and the leopard on the cover which kinda resembles Joe’s attempt when drawing the album cover.

• 1981 Tour Shirt • High n’ Dry-Japan Import-28PD 524 • High n’ Dry-1st Release-SRM-1-4021 • Rock Gems-Mirror, Mirror-SA 048 • Bringing on the Heartbreak-Japan Import-7PP 144

As stated in previous versions - My first concert is actually accidental / incidental. I knew nothing of music and hadn’t developed a taste for anything. I was there as a result of no babysitter and my Dad having 2 tickets and a babysitter that cancelled. I remember very little of this adventure not only because I was young but it was loud. I know they were the opening band and were only there ½ hr or so before leaving. I do not believe my Dad intended to actually see Def Leppard but who they were opening for - Blackfoot (I believe). The next piece is another piece from Don’s Disc in which I will get lost and just end up at this store - High n’ Dry was just another piece collected that day. Followed by a 1st release of High n’ Dry. High n’ Dry will essentially have a re-release when Phil joins and Pete exits. Next is a promo piece. Promos are actually new to me as I never knew they existed so this will be included in an estate sale/lot sale on eBay as well as the Japan release of Bringing on the Heartbreak. These are actually odd pieces as there is no real sleeve it’s a photo with the lyrics on the back. All of Japan’s singles around this time are in the same fashion making them unique.

• Pyromania-Deluxe Edition-B001302802 • Pyromania-Holland-Vertigo 6359-119 • Too Late For Love-UK import-VERX 8 •  Foolin-Japan Import-7PP 117 • Pyromania-Japan Import-28PD 523

Pyromania is what will propel me into being a fan and is an album I could never get enough of. Too Late For Love was my Dads all-time favorite song from Pyromania and a must have for my collection. However I cannot remember where it was purchased. I found the Holland label on eBay and was able to get it for a good price. To me the label is just so different than the Mercury label Pyromania is associated with. As stated previously, the Japan import was part of an estate sale and are simply unique in that there is no actual sleeve-the 45 itself is better protected. The last piece if from Don’sDisc.

When we heard Def Leppard was doing another Las Vegas residency we started to research the venue. Where are the best seats, which side of the stage we wanted to be on, and would our boys be able to see. Initially we thought “let’s go big and get the VIP couch seating center stage” Well we found they were offering a collector concert ticket but, not in the VIP section. So, we decided that we wanted the collector tickets and forewent the VIP center stage couch.

As soon as we saw Def Leppard Jigsaw puzzles, we had to have them! Being under lockdown with the pandemic we thought it would be a great family time project to put this together. Well our 11-year-old sat down at the kitchen table and opened up the puzzle box and went to town. He would not let anyone help him put the puzzle together and 10 hours later (the same day!) he had completed the puzzle, so we framed it! 

Shortly after this we ordered the Pyromania jigsaw puzzle and he did the same thing.   He can’t say if he likes Hysteria or Pyromania better because he likes all the songs and will sing along while tapping to the beat of the drums or strumming on his electric guitar.  Perhaps being born on April 23rd he has music in his soul.

The most difficult part to quantify is Hysteria as it holds a very special place not only as a fan but as a collector as it makes up the majority of my collection as merchandise was released all over the world and coming across these treasures will lead me far and wide. Japan, UK, Germany something unique could be found anywhere. To pick just “a” piece proves to be most difficult so with that I will cuddle up with my favorite blanket and ponder.

As a fan one of the most difficult times as a fan is the loss of such a talented person. Steve Clark. When he passes I, like so many, shed tears. Unlike when Rick Allen will lose his arm I myself will not actually learn of this until Hysteria so when I listen to the album one would never know that the Thunder God was keeping time with just one arm… and some clever footwork. But Steve’s passing was hard as he was part of the family - not just of the group but you kinda include him in your own. Meeting him in 88 he was so quiet and humble. Often times you will hear: don’t meet your idols and that’s because the perception you have in your mind can be tarnished by a reality unbeknownst to you. Regrettably, I only have 2 pieces in my collection that show Steve alone with his guitar - Song and Emotion

Both items were purchased at a record convention that I was told about at a record store called Twist & Shout. Until this time I never knew interviews were put on vinyl… and I found 2 separate interviews that showcased Steve Steamin’ Clark.

Who does not like a great tasting beer! When we saw that Def Leppard had come out with their very own Pale Ale, we had to try it! The only hurdle was finding it because it was not released in the U.S. and would only be available in limited quantities at certain concert venues.  So, we went to our anniversary Def Leppard concert at Coors Field and walked every level checking with every drink vendor until we found the beer.  As collectors we wanted two so we can showcase the front and back sides of the can.  Fast forward to the last Vegas residency and we purchased a four pack, drank the beer and washed the cans out. We packed them in our carry-on bag so they would not get damaged and we now have an official six pack of Def Leppard Pale Ale!

Of all the items I continually add to our collection my absolute favorite are the experiences and memories of the experiences.  From a weekend surprise of “Hey Def Leppard is playing a music festival in Bonner Springs, Kansas and we are leaving now because the concert starts in 14 hours”  to taking his daughter to her first Def Leppard Concert in Lincoln, Nebraska for the minor league baseball stadium tour,  to a pre-concert torrential downpour in Cheyanne, Wyoming at Cheyanne Frontier Days, to the Greely Independence Stampede. From the Budweiser Event Center in Loveland, Colorado to Red Rocks Amphitheater at 2 weeks post-partum, to taking our boys to their first Def Leppard concert at Pepsi Center and Coors Field in Denver, Colorado and jet setting to Las Vegas three times now.

18 concerts in 20 years, Near or far we are there to see our favorite band and now our boys join us. We are a Def Leppard Family, and we rock out like no other.

With the passing of Steve Clark we, as fans, will be blessed with the addition of Vivian Campbell. When Steve passes I will be on leave from the NAVY and will go back to my ship soon after. The NAVY is a busy place and the base is in the boon-docks. There are no radio stations to speak of - not unless you have a Walkman and can find KNAC but its not unknown, within my group of friends, that I’m a huge Def Leppard fan and they are well aware of my video appearance. While I’m “inside” I will learn that Adrenalize will hit the shelves and as soon as we set anchor in Hawaii its, well its not a short trip, but an unusual one - I swear on anything there is a line that is crossed and its just all of the sudden-warm?. I’m in Hawaii for almost 2 months and will purchase 2 singles, Lets Get Rocked and Make Love Like a Man on cassette - and a Walkman. Once we’re back in California its to the nearest store the sells music. My friend will purchase me a concert ticket as a bon-voyage as I’ll be leaving the ship in a couple weeks. Once settled in back home the Adrenalize tour will come through twice.

Tour shirts represent more of a passion and goes hand inhand as a collector because the memory cannot be solidified-its is yours andyours alone.

All fans of a group grow with the group. Not just by age but intellectually. Most bands experiment with sound and Def Leppard was no exception. Although I was at JB&H to get the new release it took me a while to get used to the sound as it was so drastically different. The CD had to be in constant rotation before I could get used to it. During this time I will venture to parts unknown - different avenues in the collecting experience by use of a magazine GoldMine -which literally is a Gold Mine - I will become acquainted with Music Machine an outfit based in N. Carolina, I believe, but I know the owner traveled all over just looking for “cool stuff”. I had purchased a few items and he knew I was a big fan and would often call to give me first dibs on something and the duffel bag seemed to be a worthwhile catch. The bag was a promo for the song “Work it Out” and came with 2 towels and a shirt.

While in the midst of a world wide pandemic and our nearly yearly anniversary Def Leppard Stadium Tour postponed I decided to learn how to make tumblers,  my first tumbler had to be an amazing one so I challenged myself to make Bryce a Def Leppard tumbler that he could use daily to ease the sadness of no concert this year.  Welp it turned out great and is #1 or 1 in my series.

In 2018 I decided to surprise Bryce with a birthday trip to Las Vegas with the sole purpose of seeing Def Leppard along with celebrating our 15 year anniversary (anniversary Def Leppard concert!) I wanted a unique way to tell him so I decided what better way to do so than to make a birthday card and letter using every Def Leppard song title. A one of a kind master piece that holds special meaning to both of us.

A lot of collectors go outside the norm looking for all sorts of things because it doesn’t simply have to be music as long as its Def Leppard, if it can be collected someone is going to find it. I, myself, was not much of a comic book person; my best friend James was he had boxes of them but me not so much. I liked music and hanging with friends and a lot of times a good book, comic books just looked too fragile until one day I’m at JB&H, my favorite music store, when my guitar teacher shows me to a case that contains a comic book. I had watched the video for Women and the youngster thumbing his way through a comic book hoping one day to come across that but I will learn years on that it was simply a prop but I digress. In the cabinet is a Revolutionary Comic / Rock&Roll / Def Leppard and a must for my collection. Damn Fragility!! Although computers were starting out to be in everyones homes it had yet to reach ours so researching where one may find others was going to be impossible. I will eventually find 3 other comics at record conventions. In past years I’ve searched eBay, as almost anything that is being sold can be found here, and nothing beyond what I have.

Sometimes it’s “Happy Accidents” that lead you to parts for your collection. Funko / PopRocks were found at a bookstore on our quest to find a particular book for our son. Although Pop Rocks had been around for a while I always hoped they’d include Def Leppard at some point. I hadn’t actually been to a book store in years and forgot that although they’re not a JB&H Barnes & Nobles do have a music section and often times they deal with rarities and popular. Although I know they’ll been inducted into the RRHOF, I will be thumbing around and see previous CD’s and DVD of the events prior and hoped that Def Leppard’s trip would be documented in the same way. As my wife is searching for a book there is a young adult going through a center rack of what seems like hundreds of these “PopRocks dolls”. He’s looking for DC Comic’s related things specifically the Joker when he pulls out and sits down Phil Collen….”holy wow, are you kidding”, I ask him if there are others in which he obliges, since he’s on the floor he makes his way around and finds Viv. “No, more” he says, kinda bummed I go to the register and they tell me the others can be found on another wall within the CD section and at the opposite end is a giant wall of Funko products and the remaining pieces. I tell the guy there is a Joker within the mix and one he actually does not have…all is right in the world. As for the guitar picks. The commemorative one was an eBay purchase around 04 and the 2 tins were from a VIP package for the KISS tour. Lighters, one was from a hole in the wall US Nostalgia, one from Zappos theatre mall, and the other 2 were actually found at a carnival. The black one was definitely hand made by use of solder but it has Def Leppard so who cares. The trading cards were an eBay purchase. I’ve known that yeeearrrs ago, 84ish, Def Leppard really had a trading card, I’ve seen it but it wasn’t member specific it was band but knew it existed so it was a welcome surprise Japan embraced the “baseball card” collectability and had some created and captured their stats and autographs…it’d been cool if there was a drum stick instead of guitar pick for Mr. Allen but could you imagine the baseball card display case? :)

My final piece is rather simple in that it’s the honoring of a person who, in most cases, was behind the scenes. Andie Airfix was an individual I never had a chance to meet but as fans we’ve been collecting his works for years. I often wonder if he wasn’t as involved would Def Leppard have the same collectors draw? Starting with Pyromania and the sight being targeted on the high-rise he’s most notably known for the Hysteria design and what drew me in to start collecting. Artistry is supposed to draw people in, it piques a curiosity and the vibrant colors excite your mind. As Hysteria is set to release Armageddon It as its next single I will lay my eyes on a fantastic poster. One so large I don’t have a wall to put it on, and most recently one that cannot be framed. When I lay my eyes on its everything that draws me to it, yes its unique and it gives tour dates to shows I will never attend but by the colors; it speaks. I will pass on the poster but collect other items always being drawn back. Cinderella City was a mall and this “nostalgia” store was down stairs basically the basement and the last shop you’d see before heading out to the underground parking. It reminds me of Zoltar in Big, there is nothing and then there is something. There's no smell but the entrance has a series of glass cases all filled with eclectic-isity. You can see the back wall and tapestries of known bands. You make that wish and you’re in and to the left is a wall only occupied by one gigantic poster. I’ve seen door posters but this is one helluva door… that I don’t have and before you know it, what once was is gone. Cinderella City will close its doors and the piece that for some reason escaped me but drew me back had vanished not to be seen for nearly 15 years.

Collecting is much more than the treasure hunt its people. I love people because each and every one of us is different, do you see the color blue the same way I see it? Everyone is unique on their views, likes, dislikes but there is one common thread to everyone. Music. Music is the one thing that will bring complete strangers into the same room to listen to the same artist / band. I’m fortunate that regardless of where I worked I met Def Leppard fans. Some collected the albums while others, like me, collected memorabilia. Insert Jeremy. It was understandable that we’d become friends at work as we were the only two that had longer hair than the receptionists and he too played guitar. We’d hang out after work sometimes (we lived a considerable distance apart and his only vehicle was the company truck which cannot be used for personal business) he was aware I was a collector of Def Leppard. I went through my entire collection with him, things I was looking for, or things, like a simple poster, I’ve missed. As the story goes, Jeremy is searching eBay for nothing in particular when he sees the poster I was talking about and it was cheap, as he said. He presented it to me on my 30th Birthday. This poster brings back memories of my days way back when. It feels like how I remember it. The ink has a texture. And its as massive as I remember. I have several posters spanning across much of their albums, group shots, promos, tapestries but nothing compares to this one in its vibrancy and although it doesn’t seem like much it is the work of Mr. Airfix. I do not know if Armageddon It is the last thing Andie worked on during Hysteria but it is an explosion of beauty.