Def Leppard are hitting the road next month on a stadium tour, while Morello is prepping his first solo LP
Rock icons Def Leppard are back with a brand new single, “Just Like 73.” The track features a very special guest appearance by Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello. Stream the official audio below. The band will be releasing the track on a 7” vinyl on August 2. It will be available in a special color variant only through the band’s D2C store and in black at all retailers. Additionally, the band curated a few limited edition packages that feature an autographed insert and a t-shirt. Check out all the available versions below.
The all-new “Just Like 73” notably marks the first collaboration between the iconic rock titans and the legendary guitarist, sonic innovator, and co-founder of Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave. The single revolves around a classic Def Leppard stomp fueled by a robust stadium-size beat, thick riffing, and a signature chant, “Rock with me, just like 73!” Meanwhile, a knockout gang vocal gives way to a signature fret-scorching solo from Morello. The instantly recognizable whammy bar wheezes as he shreds at lightspeed into one last head-nodding hook.
Of the collaboration Joe Elliott shares, “It encapsulates a time that burned deep into our DNA. We wanted to celebrate that very important and glorious time.”
“When I saw David Bowie on TV between 1972 and 1973, everything I thought I knew about music went from black and white to vivid technicolor,” Phil Collen adds. “Our song ‘Just Like 73’ represents that awakening.”
“I had a blast rocking a solo on “Just Like 73,” says Tom Morello. “I played ‘Rock of Ages’ in my college cover band almost 40 years ago and here Def Leppard are still killing it in stadiums with a brand new tune that’s one of their best.”
Next up, Def Leppard will present a high-octane animated music video for “Just Like 73,”premiering on June 20 at 16:00 BST. It features the band (and Morello) like you’ve never seen them before.
Yesterday, Morello announced his first-ever full-length solo rock album. The debut single, “Soldier In the Army of Love,” is coming out June 28. The track was co-written by Tom’s son, Roman Morello.
In 2018, Def Leppard and Journey teamed up for a co-headlining run. The 60-show tour lasted just over four months. Next year, the two rock juggernauts are running it back.
Both bands will be headlining stadiums in 2024. The run will feature very special guest appearances by Heart, Cheap Trick, and Steve Miller Band on select dates. The trek kicks off on July 6 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri and wraps up on September 8 at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. Check out the full tour itinerary HERE.
Def Leppard released a new album, Drastic Symphonies, on May 19. The record paired the band with London’s iconic The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. It features some of Def Leppard’s greatest songs reimagined, as well as a few rare gems. The record was released on CD, 2-LP black vinyl, limited 2-LP colored vinyl, limited -LP picture disc, CD/Blu-Ray (Atmos) and digitally. The vinyl and Atmos versions will also feature an exclusive bonus track, “Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad.”
Earlier this year, Def Leppard commemorated the 40th Anniversary of their iconic album Pyromania with a Deluxe Expanded Edition and full music and merchandise collection. It is available on 4-CD / Blu Ray Box, 1LP Half Speed Master, 2LP Black Vinyl, 2LP Coloured Vinyl (D2C Exclusive), 2CD and digitally.
Essential for collectors and newcomers alike, Pyromania Deluxe Expanded Edition comes with 4-CD’s consisting of the original album, a whole disc of unheard demos recently re-discovered by Joe Elliott while combing through the vaults, an unreleased demo “No You Can’t Do That” and two defining live shows from the era – from the LA Forum (USA) and Westfalen Halle in Dortmund (Germany). The Blu Ray contains an Atmos mix of the album (overseen by Giles Martin) as well as 5.1 / Stereo and instrumental mixes. Also included are five promo videos from the time. The album also appears as a Half Speed Master for the first time. The book contains the history of the album written by Mojo and Classic Rock writer Paul Elliott (who has conducted new interviews with band members), as well as rare and unseen photos by noted photographer, and long time band collaborator, Ross Halfin.
Pre-order HERE