Hysteria proved to be the peak of Leppard's popularity, yet their follow-up remained eagerly awaited in the early '90s, as the band took a break from the road and set to work on a new record. During those two years, Def Leppard's presence was unavoidable - they were the kings of high-school metal, ruling the pop charts and MTV, and teenagers and bands alike replicated their teased hair and ripped jeans, even when the grimy hard rock of Guns N' Roses took hold in 1988.
The song became Def Leppard's first Top 40 hit in the U.K., but more importantly, it launched a string of six straight Top 20 hits in the U.S., which also included 'Hysteria,' 'Pour Some Sugar on Me,' 'Love Bites,' 'Armageddon It,' and 'Rocket,' the latter of which arrived in 1989, a full two years after the release of Hysteria. Accordingly, Hysteria was slow out of the starting gates - 'Women,' the first single, failed to really take hold - but the release of 'Animal' helped the album gather steam. The record was released that spring to lukewarm reviews, with many critics claiming that the album compromised Leppard's metal roots for sweet pop flourishes. High 'n' Dry followed in 1981 and became the group's first platinum album in the U.S., thanks to MTV's strong rotation of 'Bringin' on the Heartbreak.' Over the course of the year, Def Leppard relentlessly toured Britain and America, playing their own shows while also opening concerts for Ozzy Osbourne, Sammy Hagar, and Judas Priest. On Through the Night, the band's full-length debut, was released in 1980 and instantly became a hit in the U.K., also earning significant airplay in the U.S., where it reached number 51 on the charts. They soon signed with AC/DC's manager, Peter Mensch, who helped them secure a contract with Mercury Records.
Following the release of Getcha Rocks Off, 15-year-old Rick Allen was added as the band's permanent drummer, and Def Leppard quickly became the toast of the British music weeklies. The EP became a word-of-mouth success, earning airplay on the BBC.
Later in 1978, they recorded their debut EP, Getcha Rocks Off, and released it on their own label, Bludgeon Riffola.
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