eonmusic: music for life.
  • Home
  • News
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Features

EXCLUSIVE: Rick Allen Confirms Adrian Smith was Indeed in Contention to Join Def Leppard.

5/7/2021

0 Comments

 
Rick Allen has confirmed that Adrian Smith was indeed in contention to join Def Leppard following the death of guitarist Steve Clarke in 1991, saying; “I actually really loved the idea”. The drummer made the comment while speaking to eonmusic about his upcoming in-person art shows at Wentworth Gallery, Atlantic City and King of Prussia on 10th and 11th July.
Picture
Photo: Press.
Confirming the long rumoured almost-collaboration in an August 2020 interview with eonmusic, Iron Maiden guitarist Smith finally revealed that he was indeed in line for a spot with the multi-platinum act, in news that grabbed headlines around the world. And it's hardly surprising, for with bleached blonde hair, stonewashed denims, and a proven track record, the guitarist would have been a perfect shoe in at the time to fill the vacant six-string slot.

In the chat, the amiable player was asked if it was true that he was in contention to join the Sheffield rockers, to which he replied; “I was, yeah”. He continued; “Yeah I was. I’m not sure… I want to write more books; that might be in my next one! [laughing] There’s whole story about that, there’s a whole story about that".

In a brand new interview with eonmusic, Def Leppard’s Rick Allen confirmed that Smith had been on the Leppard radar for the role that was eventually landed by Vivian Campbell, saying; “Yeah, I actually really loved the idea”.
The drummer then went on to name some of the other players who were under consideration, including an unknown Birmingham guitarist and the man who provided the licks on Whitesnake’s colossal self-titled 1987 release. “There was a kid called Huwey Lucas that was a contender; there was John Sykes; there were all these people kind of lined up”, he said.

However, it was Smith who impressed the drummer, who praised Adrian for his ability to adapt. Said Rick; “I loved the idea. It’s interesting, you put somebody in a slightly different situation and new things are revealed about them, and it was cool. It was a complement that he was so into it”.

Concluding however, Allen added; “But I think ultimately, I think Vivian was the absolutely perfect choice”.
Read the entire interview, where Rick discusses his artwork, his early playing technique, and some buried Def Leppard gems, on eonmusic. 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    His love of U2, and Anthrax's "Big" plans for 2021: We Talk 'Silver Linings' with Charlie Benante.
    Picture
    EXCLUSIVE: Rex Brown on Pantera's Rise and Fall, & Why Their Glam Years Will Remain Buried.
    Picture
    WORLD EXCLUSIVE: "There will definitely be no more Sabbath – it’s done", says Geezer Butler.
    Picture
    EXCLUSIVE: David Coverdale's Plans to Remix Whitesnake's Works, & His Pride and Joy in Coverdale Page.
    Picture
    Steve Lukather on the end of Toto, and the loss of Eddie Van Halen.
    Picture
    EXCLUSIVE: Trey Spruance Charts the Return of Mr. Bungle.
    Picture
    Rory Gallagher Remembered; 25 Years Gone.

    Archives

    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    September 2015

© 2016 - 2023 eonmusic.co.uk

Contact: info@eonmusic.co.uk
ABOUT
  • Home
  • News
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Features