The standalone single will be available in a limited edition vinyl on August 2nd
Kickstarting what promises to be yet another unforgettable summer, Def Leppard unveils a new standalone single entitled “Just Like 73” featuring Tom Morello. The song arrives on 7-inch vinyl on August 2nd and will be available in a special color variant only through the band’s D2C store and in black at all retailers. Making a splash, BBC Radio 2 just world premiered the track as a “Global Exclusive” on Thursday (June 13th).
“Just Like 73” notably marks the first collaboration between the iconic rock titans and the legendary guitarist, sonic innovator, and co-founder of Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave. The single revolves around a classic Def Leppard stomp fueled by a robust stadium-size beat, thick riffing, and a signature chant, “Rock with me, just like 73!” Meanwhile, a knockout gang vocal gives way to a signature fret-scorching solo from Morello. The instantly recognizable whammy bar wheezes as he shreds at lightspeed into one last head-nodding hook.
“It encapsulates a time that burned deep into our DNA. We wanted to celebrate that very important and glorious time,” frontman Joe Elliott shares. “When I saw David Bowie on TV between 1972 and 1973, everything I thought I knew about music went from black and white to vivid technicolor,” Phil Collen adds. “Our song ‘Just Like 73’ represents that awakening.”
“I had a blast rocking a solo on “Just Like 73,” says Morello. “I played ‘Rock Of Ages’ in my college cover band almost 40 years ago and here Def Leppard are still killing it in stadiums with a brand new tune that’s one of their best.”
Next up, Def Leppard will present a high-octane animated music video for “Just Like 73,” premiering on June 20th at 16:00 BST. It features the band and Morello like you’ve never seen them before.
Def Leppard returns to the road on a massive co-headlining stadium tour with Journey next month. They will be joined by special guests Heart, Cheap Trick, and Steve Miller Band on select dates. This run kicks off on July 6th in St. Louis at Busch Stadium, canvases the continent, and concludes on September 8th in Denver at Coors Field.
Earlier this year, Def Leppard commemorated the 40th anniversary of their iconic album Pyromania with a Deluxe Expanded Edition and full music and merchandise collection. It is available in 4 CD/Blu-ray box, 1 LP Half Speed Master, 2 LP Black Vinyl, 2 LP Coloured Vinyl (D2C Exclusive), 2 CD, and digitally.
Essential for collectors and newcomers alike, Pyromania Deluxe Expanded Edition comes with 4 CDs consisting of the original album, a whole disc of unheard demos recently re-discovered by Joe Elliott while combing through the vaults, an unreleased demo “No You Can’t Do That” and two defining live shows from the era – from the LA Forum (USA) and Westfalen Halle in Dortmund (Germany). The Blu-ray contains an Atmos mix of the album (overseen by Giles Martin) as well as 5.1 / Stereo and instrumental mixes. Also included are five promo videos from the time. The album also appears as a Half-Speed Master for the first time. The book contains the history of the album written by Mojo and Classic Rock writer Paul Elliott (who has conducted new interviews with band members), as well as rare and unseen photos by noted photographer, and long-time band collaborator, Ross Halfin.
