Def Leppard's Joe Elliott Has Advice For Fellow #iHeartFestival2019 Singers

Tons of Rock 2019

We all know it's a long way to the top if you wanna rock and roll.

And even though Def Leppard is now in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, that doesn't mean it's been a smooth ride.

Despite his band's reputation as a finely-tuned live performing machine, front man Joe Elliott says Def Leppard has had as many onstage gaffes as anyone.

With the world watching this weekend's iHeartRadio Music Festival, the pressure is on the more than 20 artists performing. Elliott called Q104.3 New York's Jim Kerr from Las Vegas to share one important trick from a veteran rock star that will help any vocalist stay off the blooper reel.

"Occasionally, things happen," Elliott says. "Here's a rule of thumb for anybody that's listening who wants to be a singer: if you ever get to be in my position, never read a sign that somebody holds up while you are singing. 'Cause you will sing that sign. (Laughs) So, halfway through singing 'Pour Some Sugar On Me,' you're likely to burst into 'Can I Have A Backstage Pass, Please?' You just can't do it. Every night's a challenge. We just have fun with it."

Elliott adds that when mistakes do happen, the band just rolls with it and makes it something to laugh about. He points out that the more veteran acts playing this year's iHeartRadio Music Festival, like Def Leppard and Heart, have one distinct advantage over their younger peers.

"We've fallen offstage, we've fallen over, we've face-planted, we've done it all, but mostly, we've done it before YouTube," he laughed. "We're very cautious these days not to do that kind of thing."

Def Leppard just concluded a hit residency in Las Vegas, and will perform Saturday night at the iHeartRadio Music Festival.

He adds that "it's great to represent our style of music within all those genres [present at the festival]. There's a lot of people there that we know, and a lot of people there that we respect. We've worked with Tim McGraw. We did a song with Tim McGraw 10 years ago. He's such a nice guy, big fan. ... I know Miley [Cyrus]'s a fan as well. It'll be interested to see what happens [Saturday] night."

You can stream the Friday and Saturday night concerts live in their entirety on CWTV.com and the CW App. Get full festival details here.

Photo: Getty Images


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