When America’s Got Talent first premiered in June 2006, it broke the mold of traditional talent shows. Unlike American Idol, which was devoted entirely to vocalists, AGT opened its stage to magicians, dancers, comedians, and performers of every kind. Now celebrating its 20th season, the show recently treated fans to a dose of pure rock history when Def Leppard stormed the stage for a special performance of their anthemic hit Pour Some Sugar on Me.
Before the band launched into the song, host Terry Crews asked frontman Joe Elliott what advice he would give to dreamers hoping to make it big. His response was short but powerful: “Live your dream.” Those words carried even more weight knowing how far the band has come since 1987, when Pour Some Sugar on Me first appeared on their Hysteria album—long before VH1 named it one of the “100 Greatest Songs of the 80s.”
The performance was electric, proving Def Leppard’s fire still burns just as bright. Fans watching online were quick to share their admiration, with one comment reading, “This performance from a bunch of guys in their mid-60s was better than any of the singing acts this year.” Another added heartfelt respect for drummer Rick Allen, writing, “Mad respect to the drummer. The fact that he still plays with one arm is insane.”
A Las Vegas Residency
AGT wasn’t the only big stage for the band this year. Def Leppard is gearing up for their return to Las Vegas with a brand-new residency at Caesars Palace, fittingly titled Def Leppard Live at Caesars Palace.
Elliott gave fans a sneak peek into how the setlist is chosen. “We’ve kind of grown into a routine of what we like to call the A, B and C list,” he explained. “Your A list is your crown jewels—the songs that if you don’t play, you wouldn’t get out of the building alive. Then there’s the B list of interesting stuff, and the C list is, like, ‘Oh, that’s interesting. They haven’t played that one in 40 years.’”
With a career spanning decades, Def Leppard continues to inspire both longtime fans and new listeners. Their message is clear—rock and roll doesn’t age; it only grows stronger.
