Late Guitarist Steve Clark's Former Fiancée - "DEF LEPPARD Has Something Most Band's Strive For But Never Attain"

February 1, 2011, 13 years ago

news rock hard def leppard

DEF LEPPARD guitarist Steve Clark passed away on January 8th, 1991 due to a lethal combination of prescription drugs and alcohol.

Greece’s Rockpages ontinues its ongoing special feature on Def Leppard by posting an interview with Lorelei Shellist, ex-fiancée of Steve Clark. The following is an excerpt:

Q: What’s the one thing that you remember about Steve and which is the part/side of his character that you really miss?

A: ONE THING??? That's tough - mostly I remember his cheeky grin, a smile that lit up my world. Steve was mischievous like a little boy. He loved to play pranks and talk in funny voices. He made me laugh. I miss that little boy in him."

Q: I know that you are a fan of rock n’ roll music. From an “insider” in the Def Leppard camp, to where do you attribute the band’s commercial and artistic success?

A: "I was there when they were writing the songs for Hysteria and I was blessed to witness this... Def Leppard has something most bands strive for but never attain... commitment to the greatest good of the songs and of the band as a whole. They make decisions based on what is good for the band, sort of like a marriage and they put that relationship first. Commercially and artistically, they collaborate and let the ideas flow. No one is singled out as THE ONE rock star in the group. They are really a "band", in the true sense of the word. Each of the guys knows that their contribution to the group is as important as the next guy’s contribution. Def Leppard’s recipe for success comes from realizing that each ingredient is integral to the final product. They honor that and each other. It is why they didn't abandon Rick after his accident, why they had to let Pete Willis go, and why they held out for Steve as long as they could."

Read the full interview at this location.

Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen recently answered some questions about Steve Clark. The first Q&A; installment in a 20 question series has been posted online and is available below:

While at NAMM 2011, Backstageaxxess.com caught up with Phil Collen at the Agile Partners booth. Host Gus Griesinger talked to him about his new signature guitar (Jackson PC Supreme), his recent fitness ventures and the future of the band. Colleen says the band's new live album will be out in May and will include new material plus a DVD. He also said they will be touring in the US this summer, but could not confirm the rumors the band will be hitting the road with HEART and KANSAS.

Check out the interview below:


Latest Reviews