JOE ELLIOTT

Joseph Thomas Elliott (born 1 August 1959) is an English musician, best known as the lead singer and one of the founding members of the hard rock band Def Leppard. He has also been the lead singer of the David Bowie tribute band the Cybernauts and the Mott the Hoople cover band Down 'n' Outz. Elliott is known for his distinctive and wide-ranging raspy vocals. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Def Leppard on 29 March 2019. He is considered by some journalists to be among the greatest glam metal singers of all time.

Joseph Thomas Elliott was born in Sheffield to Joseph William Elliott (1930–2011) and Cynthia Gibson. He is an only child. He was educated at King Edward VII School.[citation needed]

At the age of 18, Elliott tried out for the band Atomic Mass as a guitarist following a chance meeting with band member Pete Willis after missing a bus in November 1977. During his audition, it was decided that he was better suited to be the lead singer. Elliott proposed the name "Deaf Leopard", which was originally a band name he thought of while designing band posters in art class. At another band member's suggestion, the spelling was slightly modified to make the name seem less like that of a punk band.

Throughout 1979, Def Leppard developed a loyal following among British hard rock and heavy metal fans and were considered among the leaders of the new wave of British heavy metal movement. Their growing popularity led to a record deal with the major label Phonogram/Vertigo (Mercury Records in the US).