Happy birthday, Rick Savage, Def Leppard bass guitarist

Richard "Rick" Savage, born December 1960 in Yorkshire, England, is bass guitarist and a founding member of Def Leppard.  He and Joe Elliott are the only two remaining original members of the band.  

In 1976, Savage was working to form a band, and the group auditioned Joe Elliott.  Later they hired guitarist Steve Clark and changed their name to Def Leppard.  He has performed on every album.

In 1994, Savage contracted Bell's Palsy, which is a temporary paralysis of facial muscles. 

Def Leppard releases "X" 2002

Def Leppard released X, their eighth studio album (and tenth album overall) July 30, 2002.  The album was a departure from their previous sound and did not sell as well as the previous albums.  It did not receive any RIAA certifications.

X generated three singles, Now, Four Letter Word and Long, Long Way to Go.  Now made it to #23 and Long, Long Way to Go made it to #40, their last Top 40 hit.

Def Leppard releases "Songs from the Sparkle Lounge" 2008

Def Leppard released their 10th studio album, Songs from the Sparkle Lounge, April 25, 2008 in Europe, and four days later in the U.S.  The title refers to a backstage tuning room at shows where Def Leppard would work on new material.

The first single from the album was Nine Lives which featured country mega-star Tim McGraw, and it was released on April 27.

Songs from the Sparkle Lounge debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200.  All the songs were written or co-written by Joe Elliott, Vivian Campbell and Phil Collen, except for Nine Lives, which McGraw helped write.

Def Leppard releases "On Through the Night" 1980

Def Leppard released their debut album On Through the Night, March 14, 1980.  Although it only reached No. 51 on the Billboard 200, it received positive reviews and was certified platinum in May 1989. 

It featured Screamin' Joe Elliott (vocals), Steve Clark (lead guitar), Rick Savage (bass guitar), Rick Allen (drums) and Pete Willis (rhythm guitar).