Pete Willis

Peter Andrew Willis (born 16 February 1960 in Sheffield, England) is a retired British musician, best known as a founding member of the band Def Leppard. He co-wrote many tracks and played guitar on the band's first three albums: On Through the Night, High 'n' Dry, and Pyromania, which was being recorded at the time of his departure.[1] He was fired from Def Leppard in 1982 and replaced by Phil Collen. In 2019, Willis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Def Leppard.[2]

Pete Willis
Birth namePeter Andrew Willis
Born (1960-02-16) 16 February 1960
Sheffield, England
GenresHeavy metal, hard rock
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
InstrumentsGuitar, vocals
Years active1977–1991, 2003
Associated actsAtomic Mass, Def Leppard, Gogmagog, Nightrun, Roadhouse

Career

Willis attended Tapton School and was a guitar enthusiast since his youth. He was a fan of Jimi Hendrix.

In his early adult life, he formed a band called Atomic Mass with Nicholas Mackley, Rick Savage, Paul Hampshire, and Tony Kenning. He met Joe Elliott in 1977 and invited him to audition for the band, which later became Def Leppard. Willis was one of the main songwriters of the band during their first three albums.

He was dismissed from the band during the recording of Pyromania due to excessive drinking that hampered his guitar playing,[3] and was replaced by guitarist Phil Collen. He later recorded with the bands Gogmagog (with former and current members of Iron Maiden) and Roadhouse.

Willis played Hamer Standard guitars almost exclusively during his tenure with Def Leppard.

In February 2003, Willis joined Def Leppard on-stage for a photograph during a concert at the Hallam FM Arena.

As of 2003, Willis left the music business. He now runs his own property management company in Sheffield.

Personal Life

Willis married Lindsay Smith in 1985, and have two sons, Luke and Andrew. The family reside in Crookes, Sheffield.[4][5]

Discography

With Def Leppard

With Gogmagog
  • I Will Be There EP (1985)

With Roadhouse

References
  1. "This Day in Music Spotlight: The Death of Def Leppard's Steamin' Steve Clark". Archived from the original on 12 January 2011.
  3. "Def Leppard News - 32 Years Ago - Pete Willis Gets Fired From Def Leppard". Deflepparduk.com.
  4. "Def Leppard News - Original DEF LEPPARD Guitarist PETE WILLIS Celebrates 60th Birthday". Def Leppard Tour History. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  5. Kielty, Martin. "35 Years Ago: Def Leppard Replace Pete Willis With Phil Collen". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
Preceded by
Original		 Def Leppard lead guitarist
1977–1982		 Succeeded by
Phil Collen
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