Def Leppard’s ‘Pyromania’ Gets 40th Anniversary Editions
by Best Classic Bands StaffDef Leppard’s 1983 blockbuster, Pyromania, has been expanded for its 40th anniversary with previously unheard demos and live performances from the era. The album launched the band into rock legend status, with the global hit singles, “Photograph” and “Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)” and “Rock of Ages.” The new editions, available on 2-CDs, a 4-CD/Blu-ray Super Deluxe Edition and half-speed master LP arrived April 26, 2024, via Island Records. [The U.K. editions are available here.] Listen to many of the previously unreleased performances and watch Joe Elliott explain how “Rock of Ages” came about, below.
Pyromania, their third studio album, saw the band—Joe Elliott, Steve Clark, Phil Collen, Rick Savage, Rick Allen and Pete Willis—embrace a more radio-friendly sound. And although it peaked at “only” #2 in the U.S., it ultimately earned Diamond certification, representing sales of more than 10 million copies in the States. It was Def Leppard‘s second collaboration with producer Robert John “Mutt” Lang. The 2024 deluxe edition has been executive produced by Elliott and Ronan McHugh.
The Super Deluxe Edition includes a Blu-ray containing an ATMOS mix of the album overseen by Giles Martin and a book with rare photos by Ross Halfin and new interviews with band members.
Elliott explains how the lyrics to “Rock of Ages” came about and says they knew they had a hit on their hands because it has such an unusual arrangement. “The song was written in the most unconventional way possible,” he says.
Def Leppard have a co-headlining tour with Journey in 2024. Their special guests at various shows are the Steve Miller Band, Heart and Cheap Trick. Tickets are available here and here.
Pyromania 40th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition Track List
Disc 1: Album Re-Mastered
1. Rock Rock (Til You Drop)
2. Photograph
3. Stagefright
4. Too Late for Love
5. Die Hard the Hunter
6. Foolin’
7. Rock Of Ages
8. Comin’ Under Fire
9. Action! Not Words
10. Billy’s Got a Gun
Disc 2: Rarities
1. No You Can’t Do That – Out-Take
2. Untitled 1 – Demo
3. Untitled 2 – Demo
4. Untitled 3 – Demo
5. Untitled 4 – Demo
6. Untitled 5 – Demo
7. Untitled 6 – Demo
8. Rock Rock Till You Drop – Demo
9. Too Late for Love – Demo
10. Comin’ Under Fire – Demo
11. Billy’s Got a Gun – Demo
12. No You Can’t Do That – Demo
13. Rock Rock (Til You Drop) – Rough Mix Version
14. Photograph – Rough Mix Version (Unfinished Vocal)
15. Stagefright – Rough Mix Version
16. Too Late for Love – Rough Mix Version
17. Die Hard the Hunter – Rough Mix Version
18. Foolin’ – Rough Mix Version
19. Rock Of Ages – Rough Mix Version
20. Comin’ Under Fire – Rough Mix Version
21. Action! Not Words – Rough Mix Version (Chorus Only)
22. Billy’s Got a Gun – Rough Mix Version
CD 3: Live Westfalen Halle, Dortmund, Germany
1. Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)
2. Billy’s Got a Gun
3. Foolin’
4. Rock of Ages
5. Let It Go
6. Wasted
CD 4: Live at the LA Forum
1. Rock! Rock!! (Til You Drop)
2. Rock Brigade
3. High And Dry (Saturday Night)
4. Another Hit and Run
5. Billy’s Got a Gun
6. Mirror Mirror (Look into My Eyes)
7. Foolin’
8. Photograph
9. Rock Of Ages
10. Bringing Back the Heartache
11. Switch 625
12. Let It Go
13. Wasted
14. Stage Fright
15. Travellin’ Band
Blu-Ray:
Pyromania – Atmos Mix
1. Rock Rock (Til You Drop)
2. Photograph
3. Stagefright
4. Too Late for Love
5. Die Hard the Hunter
6. Foolin’
7. Rock Of Ages
8. Comin’ Under Fire
9. Action! Not Words
10. Billy’s Got a Gun
Pyromania – 5.1 Mix
1. Rock Rock (Til You Drop)
2. Photograph
3. Stagefright
4. Too Late for Love
5. Die Hard the Hunter
6. Foolin’
7. Rock Of Ages
8. Comin’ Under Fire
9. Action! Not Words
10. Billy’s Got a Gun
Pyromania – New Stereo Mix
1. Rock Rock (Til You Drop)
2. Photograph
3. Stagefright
4. Too Late for Love
5. Die Hard the Hunter
6. Foolin’
7. Rock Of Ages
8. Comin’ Under Fire
9. Action! Not Words
10. Billy’s Got a Gun
Pyromania – Instrumental
1. Rock Rock (Til You Drop)
2. Photograph
3. Stagefright
4. Too Late for Love
5. Die Hard the Hunter
6. Foolin’
7. Rock Of Ages
8. Comin’ Under Fire
9. Action! Not Words
10. Billy’s Got a Gun
Videos
1. Photograph – Official Video
2. Rock Of Ages – Official Video
3. Foolin’ – Official Video
4. Too Late for Love – Official Video / Supersonic (Historia)
5. Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop) – Official Video / Japanese Show (Historia)
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