During a recent interview with Joe Rock on Long Island’s rock station 102.3 WBAB, Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell delved into the inspiration behind their new single “Just Like 73” and hinted at future plans for the band, including a possible new album.
Inspiration Behind “Just Like 73”
Vivian Campbell explained that the song “Just Like 73” is a nostalgic homage to the year 1973, a formative period for many musicians, including the members of Def Leppard. He described 1973 as a pivotal year in music, marked by the influence of artists like Marc Bolan and T. Rex and the beginning of David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust” era. Campbell reflected on the impact of that time, saying:
“We’re all of a similar age, within a few years. And ([the year 1973) was the time when we all came of age musically. That was our musical awakening. For me, it was Marc Bolan and T. Rex. It was also the start of the ‘Ziggy Stardust’ era. I mean, ’73 was an exceptional year for music. Some stunning albums were released that year.”
He elaborated that “Just Like 73” serves as a playful tribute to this influential era. The song features a drum beat reminiscent of the glam rock era and includes the big, signature vocals typical of Def Leppard. Campbell noted that the song has been well-received in live performances, gradually winning over audiences as they become familiar with it:
“The drum beat of the song that opens it is reminiscent of the glitter band or something. And then everything else, like the huge vocals, is typical Def Leppard. And it’s a catchy song, so it fits right in there. We’ve been playing it (live) right from day one.”
Hints of a New Def Leppard Album
When asked about future projects, Campbell hinted that Def Leppard is working on new material. He revealed that “Just Like 73” was originally intended for their 2022 album *Diamond Star Halos* but didn’t make the final cut. Despite this, the song’s creation has paved the way for more new music:
“Well, there is [a plan to release an album], actually. I mean, ‘Just Like 73’ was actually left over from (Def Leppard’s latest album, 2022’s) ‘Diamond Star Halos’. The song just wasn’t quite finished a few years ago. Plus we had an abundance of songs for ‘Diamond Star’. And yes, we are constantly writing music, and yes, there will be another record.”
This news will surely excite fans eager to hear what Def Leppard has in store next. With the band continuously writing and developing new music, it seems likely that they’ll be ready to follow up their recent success with fresh material in the near future.
