Phil Collen

Collen was born in Hackney, London. He got his first guitar, a red Gibson SG, on his 16th birthday, and taught himself how to play.[https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/10-questions-phil-collen-606704 10 questions: Phil Collen] at Music Radar; 12 September 2014 He played with several bands including Lucy, Tush, and Dumb Blondes.

He left school to work as a motorcycle dispatch rider for a typesetter until his band Girl got their first record contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.jacksonguitars.com/artists/phil-collen-bio |title=Phil Collen :: Artists |website=Jacksonguitars.com |access-date=9 May 2020}} During his tenure with Girl, Collen's career began rising, spurred by the relative success of the albums Sheer Greed and Wasted Youth, which allowed him the opportunity to play at more significant venues.[http://www.nndb.com/people/933/000091660/ Phil Collen] NNDB. 2009. Retrieved 11 January 2010.

A young Collen can also be seen on the back cover of Deep Purple's live album Made in Japan as the live photo was actually taken at the Rainbow Theatre in London, a concert Collen attended, and not in Japan.{{Cite web|url=https://playadelnacho.wordpress.com/2013/04/06/how-phil-collen-ended-up-on-the-back-of-dps-made-in-japan/|title=How Phil Collen ended up on the back of DP's "Made In Japan"|website=Playadelnacho.wordpress.com|date=6 April 2013}}

In an interview, Collen revealed that he was approached by Steve Harris to join Iron Maiden replacing guitarist Dennis Stratton.{{Cite web |date=2008-11-03 |title=DEF LEPPARD's PHIL COLLEN Talks About Turning Down IRON MAIDEN Audition |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/def-leppard-s-phil-collen-talks-about-turning-down-iron-maiden-audition/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}

File:Manraze02.jpg

Before Collen joined Def Leppard on 12 July 1982 during the recording of Pyromania, he had previously been asked to consider joining the band during the 1981 tour for High 'n' Dry by Joe Elliott and Steve Clark, whom he knew at the time. Despite this invitation, there was no need to replace Pete Willis. As a result, Collen stayed a member of Girl.

After Willis was fired due to alcohol problems, Joe Elliott called and asked Collen to audition. He was asked to perform the solos on the songs "Stagefright" and "Photograph" during the recording sessions of Pyromania.{{Cite news|url=http://www.nola.com/music/index.ssf/2009/08/a_conversation_with_def_leppar.html|title=A conversation with Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen|last=Spera|first=Keith|date=15 August 2009|work=The Times-Picayune|language=en-US|access-date=23 January 2017|via=NOLA.com}} Mutt Lange, the band's producer, said to Collen, "just have fun on it, play some solos on it". "Photograph", "Rock of Ages", "Foolin{{'"}}, "Stagefright", and "Rock Till You Drop" were all songs that he played solos on.[https://web.musicaficionado.com/main.html#/collection/philcollen-1458187593913 Phil Collen Recommends...] at Music Aficionado; retrieved 2019 He and fellow guitarist Clark quickly bonded, becoming close friends and leading to the trademark dual-guitar sound of Def Leppard. Collen and Clark became known as the "Terror Twins", in recognition of their talents and hard drinking lifestyles. By this time, Collen had also become noted for his trademark bare-chested stage appearances.

In 1988, Collen quit drinking alcohol after having developed an addiction to it. He also stopped eating meat and adopted a generally healthy lifestyle. According to Collen, he had begun suffering from blackouts due to alcohol and stopped drinking when he realized that his addiction was starting to dominate his life. Clark died due to alcohol abuse in early 1991.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/day-and-night/features/qampa-phil-collen-1762682.html|title=Q&A: Phil Collen|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=5 June 2009|access-date=22 January 2010}}

After Clark died, Collen was faced with the challenge of dealing with the loss of a friend and bandmate as well as the burden and responsibility of the Adrenalize recordings. Recording the parts that had been written for Clark proved difficult. While Clark's playing style was rhythmic, melodic and sometimes even characterized as "sloppy", Collen's style was technical and precise. The contrast between their playing styles made it challenging to mimic the sound of Clark's guitar work. Due to the aftermath of Clark's death, as well as the issues with the recording of Adrenalize, Collen seriously considered leaving Def Leppard. According to Elliott, Collen did not want to continue in the band without Clark and said, "I'd rather be a plumber".{{cite AV media notes |title=Adrenalize |others=Def Leppard |year=1992 |publisher=Mercury Records}}

Clark would ultimately be replaced as the band's co-lead guitarist by Vivian Campbell, formerly of Dio and Whitesnake, shortly before the Adrenalize tour. The hiring of Campbell relieved Collen of some of the pressures of the "overkill" production style of Def Leppard, as well as the challenge of reproducing Clark's guitar parts for live shows.{{cite web|url=http://www.philcollenpc1.com/bio.html |title=Biography |publisher=Phil Collen website |year=2008 |access-date=12 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103070102/http://www.philcollenpc1.com/bio.html |archive-date=3 January 2010 }}{{better source|date=February 2024}}

File:Phil Collen performing live in 2018.png

Collen has been involved in several side projects over his career, most notably the band Man Raze, formed as a joint collaboration with former Girl bandmate Simon Laffy as bassist and drummer Paul Cook from the Sex Pistols.{{cite web|url=http://www.manraze.com/index.php?page=about|title=About|publisher=Man Raze official website|year=2007|access-date=25 January 2010}}

Collen played lead guitar on Donny Osmond's song Just Between You and Me in 1990. Due to his band disapproving of him playing on this song, he was credited as Rory James Collen on the track.

In 1990, Collen co-produced the On the Edge album of the Australian band BB Steal.{{cite web|url=http://hardrockhideout.com/2007/06/01/bb-steal-on-the-edge-release-year-1991/|title=BB Steal – On the Edge (Release Year – 1991)|publisher=Hard Rock Hideout|date=1 June 2007|access-date=22 January 2010}}

In 1991, Collen offered a song he had written, "Miss You in a Heartbeat" to the band The Law, which was featured on the band's self-titled album. This album was the band's only release. "Miss You in a Heartbeat" was later recorded and released by Def Leppard.{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p434252/biography|pure_url=yes}}|title=Biography|website=Allmusic|year=2009|access-date=25 January 2010}}

In 1993, Collen executive produced the album Sublime to the Ridiculous for the band, Sheer Greed, composed of former members of Girl, an act Collen was also associated earlier in his career.{{cite web|url=http://www.musicmight.com/artist/gbr/london/sheer+greed|title=Sheer Greed|publisher=MusicMight|year=2009|access-date=25 January 2010}} {{dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}

Collen has also worked in side projects with Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott. One of these recent projects was a tribute to David Bowie and Mick Ronson. He and Elliott also joined with Trevor Bolder and Mick "Woody" Woodmansey from Spiders from Mars and keyboardist Dick Decent to form the band Cybernauts. In 2001 they released a live album of Bowie songs.

In 1996, Collen performed as a featured guitarist on the Jeffology: A Guitar Chronicle album – a tribute album to Jeff Beck. Collen performed on the single, "'Cause We've Ended As Lovers" from the album.{{cite web|url=http://www.guitar9.com/aguitarchronicle.html|title=Jeffology: "A Guitar Chronicle"|publisher=Guitar Nine Records|year=2008|access-date=25 January 2010}}

In 2010, Collen recorded the song "Hard Times Celebrate" with rapper Bazaar Royale, featured on the album "The Ride."{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyEg1MSiyoo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/ZyEg1MSiyoo| archive-date=13 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Bazaar Royale: Hard Times Celebrate|date=7 April 2010 |publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

Collen formed a blues project by the name of Delta Deep with vocalist Debbi Blackwell Cook of the 1980s group The Jammers, which released an eponymous debut album in 2015.

In 2017, Collen was featured on three tracks of the reunited The Professionals album "What in the World."{{cite web|url=http://www.deflepparduk.com/2017newsnov60.html|title=THE PROFESSIONALS Album Ft. DEF LEPPARD's PHIL COLLEN Out Now|website=Deflepparduk.com|year=2017|access-date=15 November 2017}}

Collen joined Joe Satriani and John Petrucci on the 2018 edition of the G3 Tour in the United States.{{cite web|title=Joe Satriani Announces 'What Happens Next' Album + G3 2018 Tour With John Petrucci + Phil Collen|url=http://loudwire.com/joe-satriani-what-happens-next-album-g3-2018-tour-john-petrucci-phil-collen/|website=Loudwire.com|date=18 September 2017 }}

Collen has lived in the United States for 35 years and currently resides in Orange County, California. He commented, "I'm almost a California native now." He has five children: Rory (b. 1990), Samantha (b. 2004), Savannah (b. 2009), Charlotte (b. 2014) and Jaxson (b. 2018).{{cite web|url=http://www.thegauntlet.com/interviews/1330/Def-Leppard.html|title=Def Leppard Interview|website=Thegauntlet.com|date=30 May 2008|access-date=21 January 2010}} He was married to actress Jacqueline Collen-Tarolly (1989) and Anita Thomas-Collen (1999). He married actress and costume designer Helen L. Simmons in 2010.{{cite news| url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20402742,00.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100719174518/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20402742,00.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=19 July 2010| title=Def Leppard Guitarist's Rockin' Sunset Beach Wedding| website=People |author=Laudadio, Marisa| date=17 July 2010| access-date=9 August 2010}}

Collen is a vegan{{cite news|author=James S. Fell|title=How Def Leppard's Phil Collen traded the booze for a better body|url=https://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-phil-collen-def-leppard-interview-20150627-story.html|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=14 June 2016|date=27 June 2015}} and has been a vegetarian for 35 years.{{cite web|url=https://therockstarremedy.com/phil-collen-of-def-leppard-vegging-out-and-coming-clean/ |title=Phil Collen of Def Leppard: Vegging Out and Coming Clean |publisher=The Rockstar Remedy |access-date=9 May 2020}} Collen is also colorblind.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mwcevNXi0s|title=Phil Collen – Rig Rundown|magazine=Premier Guitar|access-date=1 April 2012}}

Collen is known for his dedication to fitness and has trained extensively in martial arts for over 20 years. He began his martial arts training in Kenpo Karate,{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/health/la-xpm-2011-jan-26-la-heb-phil-collen-20110126-story.html|title=For Def Leppard's Phil Collen, making muscles is as important as making music|date=26 January 2011|newspaper=Los Angeles Times}} earning a black belt. He also has studied kickboxing with Benny Urquidez and Muay Thai with Jean Carillo.{{cite web|url=http://ashnewell.com/photoshoot/phil-collen-jean-carillo-def-leppard-workout-sheffield/ |title=Def Leppard Personal Trainer Jean Carillo's Workout Folder |website=Ashnewell.com |access-date=9 May 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://teamrock.com/feature/2015-12-09/fighting-talk-with-def-leppard-s-phil-collen|title=Fighting talk with Def Leppard's Phil Collen|website=Teamrock.com|date=9 December 2015|access-date=9 December 2015}}

In 1989, Collen worked with Jackson Guitars to develop the Jackson PC1, an "ergonomically correct" electric guitar, although according to Collen, he designed them because "they looked cool", and they ended up having bad balance, as well as a "really weird shape".{{cite web|url=http://www.classicrockrevisited.com/interviewsphilcollen09.htm |title=Rock of Love Bites: An Interview with Def Leppard's Phil Collen |publisher=Classic Rock Revisited |access-date=25 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214074021/http://www.classicrockrevisited.com/interviewsphilcollen09.htm |archive-date=14 February 2010 }}

{{As of|2011}}, his live rig with Def Leppard consists of various Jackson PC1 guitars (some modified), all equipped with DiMarzio pickups, Floyd Rose tremolo units, and a Floyd Rose sustainer driver. Collen uses several Fender acoustic guitars. Collen uses D'Addario 0.13–0.54 and 0.13–0.56 gauge strings, and he uses steel picks.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mwcevNXi0s |title=Rig Rundown – Def Leppard's Phil Collen |publisher=Premier Guitar |via=YouTube |date=15 August 2011 |access-date=2 March 2012}}

• Sheer Greed (1980)
• Wasted Youth (1981)
• Killing Time (1997)
• Live at the Marquee (2001)

{{Main|Def Leppard discography}}

• Pyromania (1983) (tracks 1–3, 6 & 7)
• Hysteria (1987)
• Adrenalize (1992)
• Retro Active (1993)
• Slang (1996)
• Euphoria (1999)
• X (2002)
• Yeah! (2006)
• Songs from the Sparkle Lounge (2008)
• Mirror Ball – Live & More (2011)
• Viva! Hysteria (2013)
• Def Leppard (2015)
• Diamond Star Halos (2022)
• Drastic Symphonies (2023)

• Surreal (2008)
• PunkFunkRootsRock (2011)

• Delta Deep (2018)

{{Reflist}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• [http://www.philcollenpc1.com/ Phil Collen] official website
• [http://www.manraze.com/ Man Raze] official website
• [http://www.joekleon.com/defleppard.html 2006 radio interview] with Phil Collen
• [http://www.thegauntlet.com/interviews/1330/Def-Leppard.html The Gauntlet interviews Phil Collen] in 2008
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150722052948/https://www.guitar.com/articles/phil-collen-interview-def-leppard-and-delta-deep 2015 Phil Collen Interview on Guitar.com]

{{Def Leppard}}

{{Girl}}

{{Man Raze}}

{{G3 (tour band)}}

{{2019 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Collen, Phil}}

Category:1957 births

Category:English lead guitarists

Category:Def Leppard members

Category:English expatriate musicians in the United States

Category:English heavy metal guitarists

Category:English rock guitarists

Category:Girl (band) members

Category:Living people

Category:Man Raze members

Category:Musicians from the London Borough of Hackney

Category:People from Hackney Central

Category:Cybernauts members