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Today in Def Leppard History: \u201cAnimal\u201d Unleashed in 1987 \u2014 A Wild Ride Returns in Vegas<\/p>\n
By [Your Name] | July 21, 2025<\/p>\n
Las Vegas, NV \u2014 July 21, 1987 \u2014 a date that would forever mark a turning point in rock history. On this day, British rock band Def Leppard released \u201cAnimal,\u201d the first single from their long-awaited Hysteria album. It wasn\u2019t just a song \u2014 it was a declaration. After years of personal trials, creative delays, and shifting musical landscapes, Def Leppard came roaring back with a new sound, a new era, and one of the most iconic tracks of the \u201880s.<\/p>\n
Now, 38 years later, that same fire is burning bright under the neon lights of Las Vegas, where Def Leppard is celebrating the anniversary of \u201cAnimal\u201d during their electrifying \u201cDef Leppard Hits Vegas\u201d residency at Planet Hollywood\u2019s Zappos Theater.<\/p>\n
And just like in 1987, they\u2019re not holding anything back.<\/p>\n
The Birth of a Classic<\/p>\n
\u201cAnimal\u201d was more than just another single \u2014 it was a comeback. The song marked the band\u2019s first major release since drummer Rick Allen lost his arm in a near-fatal car crash on New Year\u2019s Eve, 1984. The road back had been long and difficult, as the band poured years into what would become their landmark album Hysteria.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnimal\u201d was the breakthrough they needed \u2014 a sleek, melodic, high-energy anthem that combined glam rock grit with polished pop hooks. It became the band\u2019s first Top 10 hit in the UK and helped ignite a wave of global momentum that would turn Hysteria into a 12x Platinum juggernaut.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt took us forever to get it right,\u201d guitarist Phil Collen once said. \u201cBut once we nailed \u2018Animal,\u2019 we knew we were onto something massive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fast-Forward to 2025: A Vegas Celebration<\/p>\n
As part of their summer residency, Def Leppard is bringing fans back to where it all started. On Sunday night \u2014 the 38th anniversary of \u201cAnimal\u2019s\u201d release \u2014 they performed the track with special visuals recreating the original 1987 music video and rare behind-the-scenes clips from the Hysteria sessions.<\/p>\n
The crowd, a sea of leather jackets and vintage tour shirts, erupted as the opening riff rang out, chanting every word. Giant LED screens flashed the familiar snarling wolf from the single\u2019s cover art, while a remixed version of the video played overhead in retro VHS style.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt still gives me chills,\u201d said longtime fan Amanda Greene, who flew in from Toronto for the show. \u201cYou hear those first notes and suddenly you\u2019re back in your bedroom, blasting it on cassette, dreaming about being on stage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rick Allen\u2019s Triumph Continues<\/p>\n
Of all the moments that drew emotion, Rick Allen\u2019s drumming stood front and center. Still performing with his one-arm custom kit nearly four decades later, Allen received a standing ovation mid-set.<\/p>\n
\u201cRick\u2019s story is the backbone of this band,\u201d frontman Joe Elliott told the audience. \u201cAnd \u2018Animal\u2019 was the song that proved we weren\u2019t done. Not even close.\u201d<\/p>\n
Indeed, the performance was a reminder of the band\u2019s resilience. From Allen\u2019s accident, to guitarist Steve Clark\u2019s tragic death in 1991, to the shifting trends of rock and pop, Def Leppard has endured \u2014 and thrived.<\/p>\n
From \u201cAnimal\u201d to Anthem<\/p>\n
\u201cAnimal\u201d now holds a place as a permanent setlist staple, not just for its legacy, but for its energy. It remains one of the most beloved tracks from Hysteria, an album that also gave the world \u201cPour Some Sugar on Me,\u201d \u201cLove Bites,\u201d and \u201cHysteria.\u201d<\/p>\n
And in Vegas, the band is making sure new generations don\u2019t just hear the song \u2014 they feel it.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t last this long by standing still,\u201d said bassist Rick Savage. \u201cWe\u2019ve always evolved, but some songs \u2014 like \u2018Animal\u2019 \u2014 are pure magic. You don\u2019t mess with that.\u201d<\/p>\n
What\u2019s Next?<\/p>\n
With the Vegas residency extended through the fall due to demand, Def Leppard shows no signs of slowing down. Rumors swirl of a new studio project in the works, possibly collaborating with other rock heavyweights they\u2019ve toured with in recent years.<\/p>\n
But for now, it\u2019s all about celebrating the past \u2014 with volume.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnimal\u201d may have been released in 1987, but in the heart of Las Vegas, it sounds as fresh, fierce, and alive as ever.<\/p>\n
Let me know if you\u2019d like this adapted for a fan newsletter, social media post, or used as a script for an anniversary tribute video!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"