First Strike (Def Leppard album) Totally Explained

Everything about First Strike Def Leppard Album totally explained

First Strike is a bootleg of Def Leppard. The album contains seven demo recordings. The majority of the record is comprised of five demo recordings of songs that would all be revisited and rerecorded, in sometimes very different versions, for their first album On Through the Night. The first and last song ("Heat Street" and "Glad I'm Alive"), along with the third song ("See the Lights') have never been released anywhere else.
The tracks were originally recorded in 1978 at Fairview Music Recordings in Hull and remixed in August 1984 at "Hank's Studio", Germany. Following this the tracks were promptly released as First Strike in Holland and Belgium in 1985 without the authorisation of the band and their managers despite former manager Frank Stuart-Brown's apparent quote on the back cover (see below).

Distribution

The cassette version of First Strike which had a printed white paper label, sold throughout the United States in department stores under the distributor of Cesem, while the "LP" copies were sold in other countries around Europe.

Verdict and Recall

The band and their management took the two former managers to court to remove the album from the marketplace, as they were unhappy with the recordings, and the judge ruled in favor of the band. First Strike did however sell several thousand copies, in which the band also won a suit for a portion of the royalties. Even from the beginning, First Strike was questionable whether it was an official release or not, due to it being released against the band's wishes, much like Bob Dylan's Dylan album. However, since the court case, First Strike has never been considered part of Def Leppard's official discography and has been deleted.

Track listing

"Heat Street" – 2:53
"Answer to the Master" – 3:24
"See the Lights" – 3:38
"When the Walls Come Tumbling Down" – 3:48
"Wasted" – 3:30
"Sorrow Is a Woman" – 3:38
"Glad I'm Alive" – 4:09

Back Cover

A message on the back cover of First Strike appears written by Frank Stuart-Brown. "This collection of early tapes proves the talent of five teenagers who took Sheffield and the rest of U.K. by storm during 1979. These tracks established them as clear leaders in the resurgence of heavy metal rock that was taking place and led to a first rate record deal which they're still currently enjoying. This album is dedicated to the band and to the many fans that have made them the big stars they're today. Frank Stuart-Brown"

Current Availability

Officially, it's illegal to sell this album in shops, but it has been sold or resold at record fairs, mail-order companies (on CD or LP) and through eBay. Copies of the "LP" version have been sold on Ebay for as much as $ 500.00 (US) and the cassette for over $ 100.00 (US). The packaging and music are available online for viewing and listening.

Personnel

Joe Elliott - lead vocals

Pete Willis - lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals

Steve Clark - lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals

Rick Savage - bass, backing vocals

Rick Allen - drums

Additional Personnel

Tory Eskridge - backing vocals on "See The Lights"

Production

Fairview Studios - Recorded at Fairview Studios

Roy Neave - Engineered by Roy Neave

Hanks Basement - Remixed at Hanks Basement Lodge Studios

Alex Gietz - Engineered by Alex GietzFurther Information

Get more info on 'First Strike Def Leppard Album'.

External Link Exchanges

Do you know how hard it is to get a link from a large encyclopaedia? Well we're different and will prove it. To get a link from us just add the following HTML to your site on a relevant page:

<a href="http://first_strike__def_leppard_album.totallyexplained.com">First Strike (Def Leppard album) Totally Explained</a>

Then simply click through this link from your web page. Our crawlers will verify your link, extract the title of your web page and instantly add a link back to it. If you like you can remove the words Totally Explained and embed the link in article text.
As long as your link remains in place, we'll keep our link to you right here. Please play fair - our crawlers are watching. Your site must be closely related to this one's topic. Any kind of spamming, dubious practises or removing the link will result in your link from us being dropped and, potentially, your whole site being banned.