Rick Savage
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rick "Sav" Savage (born Richard Savage, 2 December 1960, in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England) is the bassist and founder of the English rock band, Def Leppard. He is affectionately called "Sav" so that there will not be any confusion between him and another Rick in the band - drummer Rick Allen. He is the only musician to remain in the band since they first began under the name "Atomic Mass" in 1977.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
When he was very young, Savage learned to play guitar along with his older brother, playing to songs like Rod Stewart's "Maggie May" and Don McLean's "American Pie". During those years, he also pursued a career as a professional football player with Sheffield United F.C., despite his devotion to rivals Sheffield Wednesday F.C.. When it came time to decide, Savage chose music and formed a band with a few school mates including Tony Kenning and eventually Pete Willis. The young band was called 'Atomic Mass' and they mostly played Queen, Slade, Deep Purple and other popular covers of the time.
At one point, it was decided that Willis was the better guitar player so Savage picked up the bass guitar. The band was also looking for a singer around that time, when they met Joe Elliott. After auditioning him, the band re-grouped and changed their name to Def Leppard.
Savage contracted Bell's Palsy in the 1990s, causing his facial muscles to weaken, and become partly paralyzed. He has recovered remarkably well, but effects of the disease linger.
From an interview by Gordon Shearer on DefLeppard.com:
Shearer: "What about when you developed your Bell's Palsy? Did that change the way you dealt with things? Lots of gossip, lots of comments. I could imagine going from the position that you were in - from ultimate rock sex god to...."
Savage: "It was hard to come to terms with and to understand why. I found it was easy to get into the 'why me?'-syndrome. Partly because of the disability. It was more not being able to eat properly, or not being able to sleep without putting a patch on your eye because your eye wouldn't close, and things like that. The effect that it has on your everyday life was the hardest thing. In comparison, it was a very minor debilitating disease. It keeps you humble seeing what Rick Allen went through and how he had to deal with things. So, I would rather have not got the disease, but I did and you make the best of what you got".
[edit] Personal life
Savage currently lives in Sheffield with wife Paige and their two sons, Tyler and Scott, and Paige's daughter Jordan, from a previous relationship.
When he is not touring, Savage likes to spend time with the children, watch Sheffield Wednesday, and play golf.
[edit] Equipment
Savage currently uses and endorses Washburn XB920 (4-string) and XB925 (5-string) bass guitars. He formerly used Hamer 5-string bass guitars.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
| 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 |
| Related Articles |
| Robert John "Mutt" Lange | Terror Twins |
