DEF LEPPARD Tour Manager Malvin Mortimer has issued the following New Year's update:

"Happy New Year, is it 2007 already? Where does the time go?

Well, it was a phenomenal tour, exciting and rewarding for everyone involved. As it proceeded it took on it's own identity, developed a personality and rolled into many cities with a big smile on it's face. The Def Leppard/JOURNEY circus carved a path through the country on a long, hot summer sojourn.

It started for Def Leppard with rehearsals in California on May 8, before moving to Dublin, Ireland for more song rehearsal before followed by a trip to Italy for the first of 7 European shows. Sharing the bill with many of the festival acts that scour the European circuit during summer months, we found our touring feet under the pressure of a short but tough schedule (traveling through Europe can be exhausting). After finishing up in London the band flew back across the now sunny Atlantic for a very hurried one day rehearsal to freshen up and, more importantly to get familiar with the new US stage which had been constructed in their absence. For those of you who saw the show this summer, I'm sure you will agree that the stage was spectacular with it's large video screen and brilliant lighting. There are many stories to be told.....

This show was performed 74 times, 44 outdoors, 30 indoors -- I'll send a signed copy of "YEAH!" to the first person to tell me how many different states we played (excluding Puerto Rico).

(Use the feedback form to send your answer - only one entry per person!)

From the word go, from the first show, the crowds were up on their feet and mouthing, nay, screaming the lyrics along with both bands. It was exciting even for experienced old timers like me.

Stoll Vaughan: Thank you for being a trooper. We wish you the very best of everything in the future.

Excuse me for repeating myself but I have to say that I doubt that there was ever a double bill like this where no word of a lie, everybody from the top to the middle (there is no bottom) absolutely enjoyed working this tour. Both bands, both crews, and anyone who came into contact with the tour will remember it as a memorable highlight. The local promoters and stagehands will be talking about the summer of '06 for a long time to come.

Def Leppard will get together in Dublin later this month to start recording new songs. During the '06 tour the guys set up a recording room ("The Sparkle Lounge") at every show and laid down quite a few ideas for the new album. There may be some summer shows in '07 but nothing is carved in concrete as yet.

Stay tuned. The future is so bright I may have to buy some shades."