Photograph

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Photograph" by Def Leppard from their iconic Pyromania album, and Zoo Freaks, you're in for some killer trivia! This track, the lead single from the 1983 album, was a game-changer, hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart for six weeks and No. 12 on the Pop Singles chart. Joe Elliott, the band's lead singer, has said the song is about "something you can't ever get your hands on," despite many fans thinking it’s a tribute to Marilyn Monroe due to a look-alike in the music video. That Monroe connection? Purely a storytelling fabrication for the video, directed by David Mallet, which also marked guitarist Phil Collen’s video debut with the band. The song’s gang vocal "whoa" was inspired by Mott the Hoople’s 1973 track "The Golden Age of Rock ‘n’ Roll," a nod to Elliott’s love for the band, which later led him to form a Mott cover band called Down ‘n’ Outz in 2009.

Behind the scenes, "Photograph" had a rocky start. It began as a throwaway idea during the High ‘n’ Dry sessions in 1981 but was shelved for being too melodic. When the band revisited it for Pyromania, producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange’s line, “All I’ve got is a photograph,” sparked the song’s theme of unattainable desire. Lange’s perfectionism shaped the track, earning him songwriting credits alongside Elliott, guitarists Steve Clark and Pete Willis, and bassist Rick Savage. A rough mix of "Photograph" from the Pyromania 40 box set, released in 2024, reveals a funkier, almost new wave vibe with less reverb and a prominent bassline, showing how Lange’s production polished it into a pop-metal anthem. The song’s video was a massive MTV hit, creating a feedback loop with radio stations that skyrocketed its popularity, as Elliott noted in interviews.

Def Leppard formed in Sheffield, England, in 1976 as Atomic Mass, started by schoolmates Rick Savage, Tony Kenning, and Pete Doubleday at Tapton School. Pete Willis joined soon after, and the lineup shifted when Joe Elliott auditioned, initially as a guitarist, but ended up as lead vocalist after suggesting the name Deaf Leopard (later tweaked to Def Leppard). Drummer Rick Allen joined in 1978, and guitarist Steve Clark came aboard in 1979, replacing Kenning. By 1980, their debut album, On Through the Night, caught the attention of AC/DC’s manager, Peter Mensch, leading to tours with Blackfoot and Rainbow. The band’s big break came with High ‘n’ Dry in 1981, produced by Lange, whose work on "Bringin’ On The Heartbreak" got them MTV airplay. Pyromania, with Phil Collen replacing Willis mid-recording, cemented their global stardom, selling over 10 million copies in the U.S. alone.

Zoo Freaks can keep up with Def Leppard on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans should also check out the Def Leppard Vault, a curated online museum with band memorabilia and stories. For community vibes, join the Def Leppard Fans Facebook group, where diehards share news, photos, and concert experiences. Whether you’re rocking out to “Photograph” or diving into the band’s history, there’s no shortage of ways to stay connected with these rock legends!