Def Leppard: How Their Union Jack Look Came to Be
Def Leppard is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Pyromania via social media by sharing all sorts of fun facts about the album. The latest is all about the band’s iconic use…
Def Leppard is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Pyromania via social media by sharing all sorts of fun facts about the album.
The latest is all about the band's iconic use of the Union Jack, specifically the sleeveless shirt Joe Elliott wears in the music video for "Photograph." (Of course, we'd also be remiss in not mentioning drummer Rick Allen's killer Union Jack trunks in the video.)
Anyway, Elliott recalls having a budget of £25 (About $33 USD) and picking up the Union Jack shirt on a whim the day before the video shoot.
"I bought these plastic trousers that were too short so I had to get leg warmers...Adidas boots, handcuff belt," said Elliott. "I've got 8 quid left, and there's this Union Jack shirt for £7.99. Outfit done. It wasn't some big plan. It was just all I had."
Let this be a lesson: Even when your back is against the wall, and you have few options, you just might do something iconic. Joe Elliott certainly did.
Pyromania turned 40 back in January. In addition to "Photograph," the album featured two other hits: "Rock of Ages" and "Foolin'." Since its release in 1983, Pyromania has sold over 10 million copies in the United States. The album received "Diamond" status from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA.) The band shared their thoughts on the album and its legacy in the video below.
34 Albums that Turn 40 in 2023
Many of the albums that turn 40 in 2023 represent some of the greatest albums of all time. Some of the artists that released albums in 1983 that went on to become classics include The Police, U2, David Bowie, Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Cyndi Lauper and more.
Scroll below to see which albums turn 40 in 2023.
Def Leppard - ‘Pyromania’
Released on January 20, 1983.
The Police - ‘Synchronicity’
Released on June 17, 1983.
Lionel Richie - ‘Can’t Slow Down’
Released on October 11, 1983.
Eurythmics - ‘Touch’
Released on November 14, 1983.
Dio - ‘Holy Diver’
Released on May 25, 1983.
Talking Heads - ‘Speaking in Tongues’
Released on June 1, 1983.
U2 - ‘War’
Released on February 28, 1983.
Tears for Fears - ‘The Hurting’
Released on March 7, 1983.
David Bowie - ‘Let’s Dance’
Released on April 14, 1983.
R.E.M. - ‘Murmur’
Released on April 12, 1983.
Iron Maiden - ‘Piece of Mind’
Released on May 16, 1983.
Metallica - ‘Kill ‘Em All’
Released on July 25, 1983.
ZZ Top - ‘Eliminator’
Released on March 23, 1983.
Bob Dylan - ‘Infidels’
Released on October 27, 1983.
Motley Crue - ‘Shout at the Devil’
Released on September 26, 1983.
Ozzy Osbourne - ‘Bark at the Moon’
Released in December 1983.
Slayer - ‘Show No Mercy’
Released in December 1983.
Pink Floyd - ‘The Final Cut’
Released on March 21, 1983.
Cyndi Lauper - ‘She’s So Unusual’
Released on October 14, 1983.
Culture Club - ‘Colour by Numbers’
Released on October 10, 1983.
Billy Joel - ‘An Innocent Man’
Released on August 8, 1983.
AC/DC - ‘Flick of the Switch’
Released on August 15, 1983.
KISS - ‘Lick It Up’
Released on September 18, 1983.
The Rolling Stones - ‘Undercover'
Released on November 7, 1983.
Elton John - ‘Too Low for Zero’
Released on May 30, 1983.
Paul McCartney - ‘Pipes of Peace’
Released on October 31, 1983.
Yes - ‘90125’
Released on November 11, 1983.
Stevie Ray Vaughan - ‘Texas Flood’
Released on June 13, 1983.
Depehe Mode - ‘Construction Time Again’
Released on August 22, 1983.
Quiet Riot - ‘Metal Health’
Released on March 11, 1983.
Bryan Adams - ‘Cuts Like a Knife’
Released on January 18, 1983.
Robert Plant - ‘The Principle of Moments’
Released on July 11, 1983.
Madonna - ‘Madonna’
Released on July 27, 1983.
Billy Idol - ‘Rebel Yell’
Released on November 10, 1983.
