UK-based presenter and rock journalist Kylie Olsson has debuted a new episode of her interview series Life in Six Strings, featuring a conversation with Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen.
Buy or stream the Deluxe 40th Anniversary Edition of Pyromania and exclusive merch.
The interview took place in Laguna Beach, California, where Olsson met the rock legend on the beach at 6 AM, which is when Collen’s day generally begins, as a way to help fuel his creative process.
The duo then check out his guitar collection before heading Fender factory to see his latest signature Jackson guitar being made. To wrap things up, Collen teaches Olsson how to play the band’s signature “Photograph” on guitar.
Life in Six Strings is powdered by the charity “Music Drives Us,” which gives the gift of music to under-privileged children. Check out the full episode below.
Last we heard from the legendary rock group was in April when they shared a deluxe 40th anniversary reissue of their seminal 1983 album Pyromania. The release arrived with a special merchandise collection.
The new collection includes tracks like “Photograph – Rough Mix Version (Unfinished Vocal),” an unreleased demo version from the band’s vaults.
The album, which reached No.2 in the US charts and is certified Platinum, was the first to feature Guitarist Phil Collen, who had replaced Pete Willis.
This deluxe edition was prepared with singer Joe Elliott, who acted as executive producer on the set. The mastering was done by the band’s long-serving sound engineers Ronan McHugh and Andy Pearce.
Regarding the reissue, Joe Elliott said, “A labor of love and I loved every minute of it!! Rediscovering dusty old cassettes which were brilliantly restored by Ronan and finding the long lost unfinished ‘11th track’ was a journey only few of us are lucky enough to take…what a trip !!”
Phil Collen added, “Pyromania is a really special album for obvious reasons. It was the first time we all worked together with Mutt Lange, and I was able to play with my incredible friend Steve Clark—who was such a gifted and wonderful guitarist. I am incredibly proud of the album and what we collectively achieved.”
Shop the best of Def Leppard’s discography on vinyl and more.
