Pete Willis
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Peter Andrew "Pete" Willis (born February 16, 1960 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England) was one of the original guitarists for the British rock band Def Leppard until he was replaced by Phil Collen in 1982. He co-wrote many tracks and played guitar on the band's third album, Pyromania, which was being recorded at the time of his replacement.
Willis was a guitar enthusiast since his youth. He was a fan of Jimi Hendrix to whom he modeled much of his self-taught guitar playing style.
In his early teens, he formed a band called Atomic Mass with Rick Savage, Tony Kenning, and (briefly) Paul Holland. He met Joe Elliott in 1977 and invited him to audition for the band, which would later become Def Leppard.
Willis was one of the main songwriters of the band during their first three albums. His contributions are often described as unique and difficult, as it was written in an unusual key-tuning or with perplexing chords/fingering positions.
He was dismissed from the band during the recording of Pyromania due to a drinking problem, and was replaced by guitarist Phil Collen (formerly of British glam band Girl). He later recorded with the bands Gogmagog (with former and current members of Iron Maiden) and Roadhouse.)
In February 2003, Atomic Mass reunited at the HallamFM Arena.
[edit] See also
| Def Leppard |
| Joe Elliott | Vivian Campbell | Phil Collen | Rick Savage | Rick Allen |
| Steve Clark | Pete Willis | Tony Kenning | Frank Noon |
| Discography |
|---|
| Studio Albums: On Through The Night | High 'n' Dry | Pyromania | Hysteria | Adrenalize | Retro Active | Slang | Euphoria | X | Yeah! |
| Compilations and extended plays: Def Leppard EP | First Strike | Vault: Def Leppard's Greatest Hits (1980-1995) | Best of Def Leppard | Rock of Ages: The Definitive Collection |
| Singles: Bringin' on the Heartbreak | Rock of Ages | Animal | Pour Some Sugar on Me | Love Bites | Armageddon It | Rocket | Let's Get Rocked |
| Concert Tours |
| Early Tours 1978/79 | On Through The Night World Tour | High 'n' Dry World Tour | Pyromania World Tour | Hysteria World Tour | Seven Day Weekend Tour | Slang Tour | Euphoria World Tour 1999-2001 | X World Tour 2002/2003 | Rock Of Ages Tour 2005 | YEAH! Tour 2006 |
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| Robert John "Mutt" Lange | Terror Twins |
