Rocket

Hey there, Zoo Freaks! The Zoo Crew is cranking up the volume with Def Leppard's "Rocket" from their iconic Hysteria album, and we've got some cosmic trivia to share. This track, released as the seventh and final single in January 1989, was born from a spark of inspiration when lead singer Joe Elliott overheard a friend's cassette of "Burundi Black" by Burundi Steiphenson Black. Elliott borrowed the tape, crafted a rhythm loop, and layered guitar chords to create a rough draft. The band, alongside producer Mutt Lange, elevated it into a six-and-a-half-minute glam rock homage, complete with a sample of tribal drumming from the 1971 track. The song's lyrics are a love letter to the band's influences, name-dropping classics like The Rolling Stones' "Jumpin' Jack Flash," Elton John's "Rocket Man," and David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust." Fun fact: the album version features backmasking with the line "We're fighting with the gods of war" from another Hysteria track played backward, though this was cut from the radio edit.

Dive deeper, and you'll find "Rocket" is packed with clever nods. The words "Love" and "Bites" from the song "Love Bites" are spliced in to mimic a rocket launch, adding a playful touch. Elliott has shared that the chorus drew inspiration from Lou Reed's "Satellite of Love," with the band aiming to capture that glam rock vibe. Posted on X, @DefLeppard noted, "Written in tribute to the rock artists of the 60s and 70s the band listened to in their youth, Rocket was the final single released from Hysteria." The track reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, wrapping up an epic run of seven charting singles from the album. Despite mixed reviews—some critics like Record Mirror's Phil Cheeseman called it lethargic—the song remains a fan favorite, often praised for its catchy drum loops and live energy, though some, like a Reddit user on r/defleppard, wished it skipped the "techno" flourishes like the Apollo mission sound bites.

Now, let's rewind to how Def Leppard blasted off. Formed in 1976 in Sheffield, England, the band started as Atomic Mass, a group of Tapton School students: Rick Savage on bass, Tony Kenning on drums, and Pete Doubleday on guitar. Pete Willis soon joined on guitar, and after a few lineup tweaks, Joe Elliott stepped in as lead vocalist, suggesting the name Deaf Leopard, later tweaked to Def Leppard for a cooler edge. Their early days were rooted in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), alongside bands like Iron Maiden. They built a following with a self-titled EP in 1979 and their debut album, On Through the Night, in 1980, which hit the UK Top 15. The addition of guitarist Phil Collen in 1982 and producer Mutt Lange's polished touch on High 'n' Dry set them on a path to global fame. By the time Hysteria dropped in 1987, selling over 25 million copies worldwide, they were rock titans, despite challenges like drummer Rick Allen's life-changing 1984 car accident, which led to him relearning to play with a custom drum kit.

Want to stay connected with the Leppard legacy? Check out their official website for tour dates and merch, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates. Fans can join the Def Leppard Rock Brigade, the official fan club, or dive into discussions on the r/defleppard subreddit, which boasts over 5,000 members. For more fan-driven content, explore Def Leppard UK, a detailed fan site with news and history, or join the Def Leppard Fan Group on Facebook to connect with fellow Zoo Freaks who live for those soaring harmonies and epic riffs.