Def Leppard’s Phil Collen talks guitars, songwriting and new album | MusicRadar.com.
A guitarist that serves as one of the inspirations for getting me to pick up the instrument years ago is still going strong, literally and figuratively. (Just Google image search for him and you’ll see prime examples of the literal part…)
Phil Collen joined Def Leppard in 1983 after the departure of Pete Willis and has recorded and toured for every album since 1983′s Pyromania. Something about his method of playing has always fascinated me and while I don’t practice as much as I used to, when I do jam I usually start out with a mix of Def Leppard tunes and try to follow along with his leads and even some of the intricate rhythms he does. My fingers aren’t nearly as fast as his but I try to keep up. Even more so, I try to model my sound after his live rig. Plus I’ve always wanted one of his Jackson PC-1s.
Musicradar.com got an interview with him recently while he was in Nashville (yes, the country music capital of the world) shopping around some songwriting ideas to some music labels. He talks about how he has become a country music fan now, the collaborations with Taylor Swift and Tim McGraw, what about his playing he wants to improve on, his sound and a variety of other topics including a new Lep album/tour and his side project(s) while Def Lep is on hiatus.
For those that don’t wish to read until the end of the article, Def Leppard plans on releasing a new album in 2011 followed by a supporting tour. Recording hasn’t begun yet but according to Phil, songs are being written by each of the band members.
