Sheffield rockers set for capital city gig

Def Leppard, Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

ONE of the UK’s biggest rock bands, Def Leppard, have announced they’re to play a big gig in Cardiff later this year.

The Sheffield hard rockers, whose multi platinum-selling 1987 album Hysteria turned them into household names, will perform at the city’s Motorpoint Arena on Tuesday, December 4.

The five-piece, whose biggest hits include Animal and Pour Some Sugar On Me, hit the headlines in 1984 when their drummer Rick Allen lost his arm in a car accident.

However, with the aid of a specially adapted electronic drumkit he continued to play in the group, although Allen’s period of recovery meant the band disappeared from the spotlight for several years.

As a result their comeback with Hysteria saw them top the charts all around the world and they’ve continued to enjoy success on both sides of the Atlantic ever since.

Bizarrely, the rockers also share something in common with Motorhead and Nottingham noise makers Sleaford Mods in that they’ve also sponsored a young Welsh sports team.

In 2013 the veteran headbangers lent their name to the kit of Rhiwbina RFC’s Under-10s – nicknamed The Squirrels – courtesy of the mini squad’s coach Richard Proctor, who’s previously worked on the band’s artwork.

“I think it looks spectacular,” said the band’s singer Joe Elliott. “And while I’m not sure it’ll guarantee a win every week, at least they will look cool.”

Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday and are available from Ticketmaster.