“First Strikes 1978-1979” is a 19-track CD of pure early DEF LEPPPARD magic, an unauthorized release but the sound quality is outstanding. The compilation features the very first DEF LEPPPARD recordings – released and unreleased.
“First Strikes 1978-1979″ includes the official Def Leppard EP 7” 1979, the professional demo ”First Strike” released by previous Def Leppard management trying to cash in on the success of Pyromania and not approved by the band, standalone singles ‘Wasted’ (1979), ‘Hello America’ (1979) and B-side ‘Good Morning Freedom (March 1980), and a stupendous, unreleased live session at Live Paris Theatre, London, August 1979.
At the time of this bootleg “First Strikes 1978-1979″ CD appeared (2013) all the music here was unreleased. Not so long ago Def Leppard put out the Box Set ‘The Early Years’, and the finally the EP and the singles were officially released.
But the 7-track demo ”First Strike” never will be released, nor Live Paris Theatre live recording. And believe us, sound quality is awesome, first rate.
Recorded late 1978 but released 1979, the Def Leppard EP 7″ showcased a bunch of young dudes hungry for recognition but also very good musicians and a potential smash band.
Records label took notice, and the band quickly recorded more songs in the Summer of 1979 for shopping labels. There were 7 tracks, 4 of which later were re-recorded for their debut LP. These are the only recordings with their original drummer, Tony Kenning.
Years after, with Def Leppard achieving international success with ‘Pyromania’ and new album ‘Hysteria’ being delayed over and over again, their first management decided to released by themselves the 1979 7-track demos. The band filed a law suit and the album was immediately pulled from stores, but a few copies got out.
Sound is A+, and it is a must have for any Lepp fan.
The ‘Live Paris Theatre, London’ is fantastic, live with a few people present, ‘BBC in Concert’ type of pristine recording, done August 1979 as Def Lepp vertiginous raise in popularity and people wanted more! After that band recorded the singles ‘Wasted’ and ‘Hello America’, signed a major label contract and rapidly released their first LP next year 1980.
”First Strikes 1978-1979” is pot of gold, packing all the very early Def Leppard recordings since their origins, much better than the official box set ‘The Early Years’, and with an impressive sound quality.
A collectors item.
The Def Leppard Ep 7″ 1979
01 – Ride Into The Sun (The Def Leppard Ep 7” 1979)
02 – Getcha Rocks Off (The Def Leppard Ep 7” 1979)
03 – The Overture (The Def Leppard Ep 7” 1979)
Demo 1979 / Unauthorized ‘First Strike’
04 – Heat Street (First Strike Demo 1979)
05 – Answer To The Master (First Strike Demo 1979)
06 – See The Lights (First Strike Demo 1979)
07 – When The Walls Came Tumbling Down (First Strike Demo 1979)
08 – Wasted (First Strike Demo 1979)
09 – Sorrow Is A Woman (First Strike Demo 1979)
10 – Glad I’m Alive (First Strike Demo 1979)
Live At Paris Theatre, London, August 1979
11 – Glad I’m Alive (Live Paris Theatre, London, Aug. 1979)
12 – Hello America (Live Paris Theatre, London, Aug. 1979)
13 – When The Walls Is Tumbling Down (Live Paris Theatre, London, Aug. 1979)
14 – The Overture (Live Paris Theatre, London, Aug. 1979)
15 – Getcha Rocks Off (Live Paris Theatre, London, Aug. 1979)
16 – Wasted (Live Paris Theatre, London, Aug. 1979)
Wasted 7″ 1979
17 – Wasted (Single Version, 1979)
18 – Hello America (Single Version, 1979)
Hello America 7″ 1980
19 – Good Morning Freedom (B-Side, March 1980)
Tracks 01-03: Recorded at Fairview Studios, Hull, November 1978
Tracks 04-10: Recorded at Fairview Studios, Hull, late Summer 1979
Tracks 11-16: Recorded live at Paris Theatre, London, August 1979
Tracks 17-18: Recorded in October 1979
Track 19: Recorded in December 1979
Vocals – Joe Elliott
Guitar – Pete Willis, Steve Clark
Bass, Vocals – Rick Savage
Drums – Tony Kenning, Frank Noon, Rick Allen