Fire It Up

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Fire It Up" by Def Leppard, a high-energy track from their 2022 album Diamond Star Halos, and the Zoo Freaks are loving the vibe. This song, the third single from the album, was crafted to capture the band’s signature stadium-rock sound with infectious multi-harmony vocals and a glam-rock stomp. In a 2022 interview with Germany’s Rockland Radio, frontman Joe Elliott called Diamond Star Halos a “career-defining album,” emphasizing the band’s pride in creating a powerful record 45 years into their career. Guitarist Phil Collen, who co-wrote "Fire It Up" with songwriter Sam Hollander, aimed to channel the spirit of anthems like “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” blending classic Def Leppard energy with a modern edge.

The music video for "Fire It Up" premiered on May 26, 2022, followed by a YouTube afterparty where the band discussed the making of Diamond Star Halos. As shared in a behind-the-scenes vlog posted by @DefLeppard on July 10, 2022, the video shoot was a lively affair, possibly filmed at Abbey Road Studios in London. The song’s release was strategically timed to build hype for the album and the band’s massive Stadium Tour with Mötley Crüe, Poison, and Joan Jett, which kicked off in June 2022. Reviewers, like those at Rock News, noted that “Fire It Up” echoes the band’s ‘80s hits while pushing their sound forward, making it a standout track that had Zoo Freaks rocking out.

Def Leppard formed in Sheffield, England, in 1976, emerging as part of the new wave of British heavy metal. The band started as a group of young musicians—Joe Elliott (vocals), Rick Savage (bass), Pete Willis (guitar), Steve Clark (guitar), and drummer Tony Kenning—playing local gigs under the name Atomic Mass. Elliott, inspired by seeing bands like T. Rex and David Bowie, pushed the group to adopt a more theatrical name, tweaking a suggestion from “Deaf Leopard” to “Def Leppard.” Their early days were gritty, with the band recording a self-funded EP, The Def Leppard EP, in 1978 after replacing Kenning with Rick Allen. By 1980, their debut album, On Through the Night, hit the UK Top 15, though it faced backlash from some fans who felt tracks like “Hello America” pandered to U.S. audiences.

The band’s breakthrough came with 1981’s High ‘n’ Dry, produced by Mutt Lange, who helped define their melodic hard rock style. The album’s track “Bringin’ On the Heartbreak” became one of the first rock videos on MTV in 1982, boosting their U.S. profile. After replacing Willis with Phil Collen and navigating drummer Rick Allen’s life-changing 1984 car accident, which led to him adapting to play with one arm, Def Leppard hit global stardom with 1983’s Pyromania and 1987’s Hysteria. Both albums earned RIAA Diamond certification, selling over 10 million copies each in the U.S., a feat shared by only five rock bands. Since 1992, the lineup has stabilized with Elliott, Savage, Allen, Collen, and guitarist Vivian Campbell, cementing their legacy with over 100 million records sold worldwide.

Zoo Freaks can stay connected with Def Leppard through their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where the band shares updates like Joe Elliott’s “Captain’s Log” vlogs and tour news. Fans also gather at the Rock Brigade Community on Reddit, a vibrant hub for discussing everything from Diamond Star Halos to rare tracks like “Paper Sun.” Another fan hotspot is the Def Leppard Fans Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks can trade stories, debate setlists, and celebrate the band’s enduring influence on rock music.