What comes around goes around, and around again. Def Leppard has weathered the storm of the mid 90's where they were all but snubbed, and pushed aside by radio as well as other entertainment outlets as being old news, and out dated. Yet they soldiered on continued to release albums with moderate success. 1992's Adrenalize went straight to number 1 upon release with one of The Lep's longest tours that followed. While still playing in the round they still packed in the crowds even though Adrenalize didn't garner the success of Hysteria, still sales were good but not what was expected. The death of Steve Clark would prove to be a heart felt loss as some have attributed the heart and soul of Leppard's staple mark sound in some of their biggest hits and most memorable riff's to Steve Clark. Vivian Cambell, a very able axe man filled his slot, and has done a wonderful job. Yet since his death that level of success has yet to be revisited, but I would have to say that there is more to that than just the loss of Steve Clark. Leppard's sound by far has always been a group effort, and the fact is that for Def Leppard the 90's had just seen them go out of style, and as a result it wasn't cool to be into Def Leppard. As a fan of Def Leppard since 1981 I have had the distinct pleasure to follow their career pretty much from the beginning of their professional releases here in The USA. I remember hearing On Through The Night thanks to my older brother, and High & Dry thereafter, and I was hooked. Def Leppard was the band to be at the time, as they had yet to experience the mega success that was to come with Pyromania. Then in 1983 Pyromania was released, and along with a line up change which absolutely proved to be for the better of the band with the exit of Pete Willis, and the addition of Phil Collen. Def Leppard became successful, yes, but they became more than that, so much more. They became a trend setting band that redefined rock, and helped to resuscitate a stale rock sound. They broke new ground, and shortly thereafter the copy cats came, and Def Leppard went. The Lep's went into the studio and after 4 years of a well documented time with the loss of a limb, Rick Allen's left arm, to being without a producer for a time, and other woes that came, Def Leppard emerged from the flames in 1987 as a Phoenix rises so did The Lep's. Rick Allen effectively learned to drum with one arm using a special kit that allowed him to utilize his left foot with newly developed foot pedals in place of his left arm. Mutt Lange rejoined the project and helped to produce another ground breaking mega success. The Lep's embarked on a world tour that would see them playing in the round utilizing a stage in the middle of the arena effectively with four front rows. Hysteria more then surpassed it predecessor, Pyromania, and again Leppard set the standard, raised the bar if you will, proved themselves leaders of the pack. And once again came the copy cats that looked to cash in on Lep's successful sound and saturated the airwaves with their much weaker version of Def Leppard's sound. In the mid 90's Def Leppard tried a different approach to their sound, a more stripped down rawer sound, that was critically well received but unfortunately didn't catch on with the fans. Def Leppard having returned to their signature sound along with the music trend becoming more friendly to the Lep's style of rock, began to propel them back into the limelight. Today after having re-released a more comprehensive and expanded version of their hits packaged as Rock Of Ages "The Definitive Collection", along with and extensive summer tour of minor league stadiums with Bryan Adams, Def Leppard star is on the rise again. A change in management, and now we see Def Leppard on TV; late show, VH1 award show, another award show on Spike TV. The Lep's are preparing for the release of a new album in the early part of "06", along with another tour to follow. With Def Leppard being so busy it signals bigger and better things on the horizon, and they know it. They have wisely changed management to give themselves what appears to be a fresh injection of new life. With new management that concentrates on them and works to get them the exposure needed to promote their albums, and tours, Def Leppard can concentrate on creating the music we've come to love, and hopefully performing the music at an arena near me, and near you. For what exact reasons they changed management is unknown, but it seems that it's been the right move, and I for one am glade to see it. I believe that making the hard decisions for Leppard will be the thing that proves the pay off, and leaving their management of 20 some odd years was probably a difficult decision, but if what we've seen recently is as a result of new management then the decision is proving to be wise one. Def Leppard is a great band that still has so much more to give, and the best is yet to come. Expect great things from Def Leppard because I firmly believe they have great things in the offering.