Overnight SUCCESS T

The British band – consisting of lead singer Joe Elliott, bassist Rick Savage, drummer Rick Allen, and guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell – have sold over 100 million records, won a place in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and played stadiums worldwide. You’d expect the adulation and fame to go to one’s head. As I chat to bassist Rick Savage, before he jets o on a stadium tour with Mötley Crüe and Poison, it becomes apparent that the She eldborn star is humbled by the band’s achievements.

“It’s absolutely amazing that we are as popular as we ever were,” he says. “We’re performing in stadiums and people are still talking about us, streaming, and downloading our songs. You can’t compete with the new kids, but it’s incredible to think we’re still doing what we love – it doesn’t feel like 40 odd years have passed!

“It’s an honour and we’re grateful that we get on as people and that’s the bottom line. It doesn’t feel like a job when you’re with your mates. There are so many facets to being in a band. As we say: there is more to being in a band than being in a band,” he laughs.

What is the secret to their longevity? “Having respect for each other – the friendship and the camaraderie,” he says. “The feeling of being in a gang, which really appeals to kids aged 10 or 11 – it’s still appealing to us in our late 50s and early 60s. I am not sure what that says about us,” he smiles, “but at least we have that in common.”

Def Leppard formed in 1976 and rose to chart-topping fame in the early 1980s with hits such as Pour Some Sugar on Me and Foolin’. Rick, known as ‘Sav’, grew up in Crookes and attended Tapton Secondary school, west of She eld city centre. He recalls happy memories growing up.

“I remember spending summers at Weston Park and The BoleHills. It was a happy childhood,” he smiles. “The summers seemed to last forever, and the days always seemed sunny. We all lived on the same street – a clichéd family atmosphere.”

The 63-year-old rockstar, who lived in Dublin for a few years, moved back to She eld in 2001, with wife Paige, sons Scott and Tyler, and Jordan (Paige's daughter from a previous relationship). Today he resides in the village of Dore with Paige.

“My roots are established. Don’t get me wrong –there are cities in England I love, but there’s something about She eld. It’s a big city with a small city feel to it. It’s always had a little bit of everything for me.”

Rick’s closeness to his family is evident – he recently launched a fashion brand, Overnight Angels Crew, with his son Scott – merging their love of music and fashion. The brand name was born from a place of Rick’s nostalgia, inspired by Ian Hunter’s title track on his 1977 album, Overnight Angels

“We started developing the brand during the pandemic,” Rick explains. “Scott has always had an eye for fashion, and we thought it’d be great to do something together. The Overnight Angels Crew is more street, urban style and OAC X Special Projects is my line – more classic rock ‘n’ roll with high end sophistication, not strictly biker stu , it would appeal to a more rock-oriented crowd. We’re delighted with the way it has been received. It’s still early days, but I honestly think there is a niche for it. I’ll be wearing some of my line on tour!”

As for the 2023 world tour, Rick is more than primed to hit the stage. “To be able to say that you’ve played Wembley Stadium is pretty cool. As an Englishman it doesn’t get much bigger – I’m really looking forward to that and Bramall Lane, She eld. It’s my hometown, a sort of homecoming – that will be a big occasion. It has a lot of meaning.”

Def Leppard perform at Bramall Lane, She eld on 22 May 2023. For more on Overnight Angels Crew, visit overnight-angels-crew.com