I had the pleasure of meeting Joe Elliot after a concert in 1999. I still remember the conversation like it was yesterday. I said one of the things I slways admired about their sound was the backing vocals, they were so melodic. I asked him if he was in a band just starting out today and you wanted to capture the best vocals without breaking the bank what would you recommend? His eyes lit up and replied "Oh! Fostex digital mate!" For the next 15 minutes we had the coolest conversation about song writing and recording. He talked to me like I was his new best friend. Great memory!
You have my utmost envy! Big Leppard fan here and Joe always came across in his interviews as a true fan of what he does, as well as a MAJOR fan of his influences. So I told myself that if I ever bumped into him after a show, I'd have to ask him about the vocal process, cause the only bands that came close, to me, in order, was Sweet first, then Queen. I would ask him how the hell Leppard managed to take it two steps above the next level, then I'd shut up and listen and learn from a true fan....but you kinda beat me to it!!!
The harmonies in this song are so angelic. The harmonies are what hooked me as a kid. The imperfections are what made this song so special. It was gritty, raw, sexy, emotional, etc.. one of the best songs ever written.
THEY USED A FAIRLIGHT FOR THE BACKING VOCALS .LISTEN TO THE PHOTOGRAPH PARTS ... ITS A COMPUTER .JOE HAS A MUSICAL SIREN IN HIS THROAT ... HE'S A ONE IN A BILLION TALENT .
@@mollyhatchet7075That's not the case. The backing vocals were recorded by Phil Collen, Rick Savage, and Robert John (Mutt) Lange. They didn't want Joe Elliott's voice in the harmonies to make sure they were distinct from the lead. They were recorded as a four part harmony, with each singer recording 3-4 takes (using no vibrato) and stacking all of the vocals together. This meant that there were over a dozen voices in the harmonies, which creates the same effect as a choir, reducing discrepancies in pitch from any one voice. Mutt Lange also added several tracks of whisper vocals to give the high end a boost and add a bit of hissy distortion. All vocals were recorded using a U67 tube microphone, straight into the board. This was recorded on tape so there was no pitch correction or computer assistance involved. In fact, the entire song is about a quarter-step flat. Once all vocals were recorded, he ran them through a modified noise reducer and a compressor, then piled them all onto one track on the master tape. That's what gives the harmonies the buzzy but still impossibly clean sound that makes them seem almost artificial.
@@adamhester7294 ... hi. Brilliant answer. Are you sure 4 part harmonies were used? I have worked out: 1. Root note vocal line. 2. 3rd harmony up of the root vocal line. 3. 8th vocal line (which is the higher octave of the root vocal line). What do you think?
As a 12 year old boy when this came out, I can tell you that nothing sounded like this at the time. Photograph captured exactly how cool this band was at the time. And, I might add that to this day, I think Pyromania was by far my favorite compared to Hysteria.
Too late for love was the track on pyro that set itself above the rest....for me. It was their best song imo and if it was on high n dry, that would have been the perfect album.
I hate to admit this, but when I was a young kid and this album came out I stole the cassette tape from K-Mart and played it endlessly. Thankfully my thief days were very very brief as I was afraid of getting caught, but what a fantastic and powerful album start to finish. Thank you Ken and God bless.
To me I think Def Leppard really defined what 80's rock sounded like. Also, after 44 years making records and playing hundreds of live shows Joe still sounds amazing at 62 years old! Great analysis Ken, please make more with Hysteria album!
Ken, don't apologize, feel bad or walk on egg shells for calling out bad technique. Everyone knows you have the best intentions trying to help young singers not make the same mistakes. Your honesty and knowledge is what sets you apart from others. Keep it up!
Ive learned more about vocals from Ken than--ANYWHERE ELSE!! No Apology necessary to the one million subscriber, right?:) They do have an AC/DC vibe for sure, one of the reasons I liked them, guitar for sure using the AC/DC formula..
It goes to show tho, in rock music especially, a "bad technique" can be worked & fittted into a performance just the way it needs to be and make a #1 song.
This was mind blowing to me. Thank you Ken. As a teen I tried so hard to hit those notes with my chest voice without success because I had no training. However, I could hit them with my head voice. I felt like a failure for not being able to hit them with my chest voice. I loved Def Leppard as a teen and our band was always covering their songs during our rehearsals. All of us being 15 to 16 years old, the guys I would sing with were amazing musicians and I always felt like I let them down. At 48, this is rather encouraging and therapeutic. Sincerely, thank you for this. Very educational and encouraging.
We can all let go of the trauma of not being Joe Elliot. It’s a bit like a secret that was known by nobody at the time, mixed voice as the centering of the entire vocal range. We need chest and head, but mix takes us to Chris Cornell, and pretty every other healthy great vocalist.
He is special, he sounds amazing, always has he has a magical touch about him he gets better and better, he is the most beautiful and handsome man that I have ever laid my eyes on ! He simply sounds amazing! I hope he is able to read these reviews. Glad you were able to meet him Crystal, it’s been my dream to be able to meet him as well one day. ♥️
Def Leppard was one of the greatest Rock/Heavy Metal bands of all time, with great songwriting, vocals, and production. I always hate it when people lump them in as a "hair band". They were so much more than that. I've always thought that the way you tell if a band is good is if they are good live. Def Leppard is superb in concert.
Imagine being a 20 something Joe Elliott and hearing the playback of this song for the first time....had to be some kind of revelation of possibilities...totally enabled the confidence they would all need before Hysteria ❤
Joe did an interview a while back and said that Mutt guided him to make his voice more appealing to the female audience. This song sounds like the segway to the sex appeal of the Hysteria album.
It worked ! They might have lost the admiration of the hair metal purists, but man look at all the millions of people they made so very happy...kudos to Mutt to know exactly what was the essence and true quality elements of the band and bring that to the forefront
They were a straight up gritty hard Rock head banger band. Listen to "Wasted" from On through the Night, Right ? Then fwd to "Switch 625". Mutt basically told them " You want to go from dudes bringing their rocker GFs, to Rah Rah GFs gushing & going in packs & throwing panties onstage & making gazillions, I'll show you how. Also cue Phil Collen & Vivian Campbell. Phil is a true axe slinger who didn't ditch his shirt for guys, & Vivian is a great guitarist. But Steve Clark & Pete Willis were a raw powerhouse pair together. RIP Steve Steamin Clark.
I absolutely love Joe Elliott’s voice and I pretty much had a crush on him since the 80s. I hope he reads these reviews. If you’re reading this Joe I love you.
Always loved def leppard such a great band a killer band Joe Elliott was great he has his own unique style in his voice photograph one of their best songs def leppard rocks they had a lot of great songs and great albums love bites is one of my favorite songs I loved the rasp Joe Elliott had in his vocals your right his vocals are pretty stinking good it rocks def leppard rocks Joe Elliott rocks long live the leppard🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
Despite the scooping, And the wall of sound I think the style fits the song perfectly. Joe Elliot is the undisputed master of sounding like Joe Elliot.
I think it’s a great exercise to try to analyze and even impersonate great vocalists. It’s good that you are warning people about how our wrong impressions of what’s being done can lead to vocal harm. Question. Do you think that most of the damage this generation of vocalists did to there voices came from grueling schedules, bad venues, abuse of the body and mind? Is injury just a random thing? Vocalists are athletes, there is a risk of injury in some of these things all the time?
Btw, I’m eventually going to do a RUclips series on vocal pedagogy that tries to highlight the differences and similarities in the leading online coaches. You guys have definitely convinced me that most people can learn to sing beautifully. What an untapped source of blessing in our lives! A way to bring comfort, to worship.
Can you give me a short explanation of "scooping"? I know it might be rudimentary, but I truly don't know what it exactly means (something to do with midrange?)
I love Def Leppard and had a huge crush on Joe back in the day. I remember there being a movie about how Mutt produced them. I saw them live a few times and they were great! I love these break down videos on the isolation of vocals too!
I also had a huge crush on Joe way back when. He was actually probably one of my very first musical crushes, and even today his voice still gives me all the good kind of goosebumps. 💜
Joe Elliott is my hero, maybe because I was approaching some notes with simillar techniques (maybe because I wanted to sound like him). But after longer singing my throat was destroyed. It was very hard for me to be on pitch and to sing soft and clean. Few weeks ago I’ve finnaly “found my voice”, approaching notes is much easier when I don’t mimic Joe’s colour, I just sound as me, compression and distortion control is much better and finally (!!!) I go through my passagios with no bump when I sing (not practicing). I can finally apply what I’ve learned in Volume 3 of KTVA 2.0. Thank you Ken!
Def leppard is great. I saw the band live in 2011. I can't believe how you analyze his singing. Now I am even more enthusiastic about continuing your course. Again, your explanations are just worth gold.
I remember buying this album on vinyl back in '83 and asking my dad to transfer it onto cassette for me to listen on my walkman. He was showing me the levels on his EQ (badass system for the time haha) and saying that it wasn't a great recording cuz they weren't hitting the full range. He then played Fleetwood Mac and showed me the difference. I had never really thought about that before, but I think what Ken was describing as the "tubby" drums pretty much sums it up. Still an awesome album and great song.
Fantastic. Probably my favorite of your videos. Great comparison to AC/DC & Mutt Lange’s touch. Always loved Def Leppard. My first cassette ever was On Through The Night. Saw them a really long time ago & Joe was all business. Great analysis! Never realized how high Joe’s register was. The more of your analysis the better! Fantastic!
Great break down, Joe's voice is so raw young and full of energy! It gives me chills Everytime I hear it. It makes me weep for what we have lost and for what kids today will never know. The power of good music and a good voice can change a young kids life. Unfortunately that power does not exist anymore. Technology has it made so that having no talent is no longer an obstacle to becoming a star. So now you just have noise being made by talentless fools. No originality no innovation just garbage for simple minds made by talentless simple people. How tragic to see what has become of music in this day and age.
I read or heard Ann Wilson from the band Heart talk about consciously recording the vocals on their first album in the middle of her vocal range so she wouldn't have trouble singing those songs later in life. Thinking that far ahead was brilliant. She can still hit those notes to this day with little effort. She is frequently out of breath because of her weight issues but she's still got the pipes...
Right on, Ken... if one listens to Def Leppard and AC/DC live circa 1983, Elliott and Johnson's vocals sound VERY similar in technique and delivery. Mutt Lange really did a superb job with both vocalists. To really hear this with Johnson, listen to some of his Geordie stuff before he joined AC/DC. Also, your analysis of Elliot's use of mix in transitioning from chest to head is fantastic. It took me quite a while to learn his vocals because I initially would catch myself trying to force my chest through the roof of my voice. I can see this helping a LOT of people. Thank you once again and God Bless, sir!
Hi Ken, thank you so much for that lesson! I am a singer and guitarist in a coverband and was about to to drop Photograph in B, as I wasn't able to take all the high notes. But Photograph in Drop B sucks, no punch anymore. I always thought, I have to use my chest voice to sing "truely". You taught me I don't have to - and it now works, dropped to D. Opens up whole new world for me, so great I saw your video. Works as well with Accept covers. You are the man, thank you!
High 'n' Dry (1981) featured the AOR hit single "Bringin' On the Heartbreak". Pyromania followed in 1983. Great video, Ken. This is the one I've been waiting for. You're awesome.
Love leppard, so this album had rock of ages and I think the album was 83 or 84 The first album was on through the night which did ok here in England but better in America and they were acused of selling out by the British papers the vocals are quite raw on that album it would be cool to see you thoughts on how his voice changed through the albums Second album high and dry same story had bigger hits like bringin on the heartbreak and let it go which I think was the one you were thinking of and the master Steve Clark’s instrumental switch 625 Then this was the third album pyromania which did a lot better Then Armageddon it was hysteria which was obviously their biggest success Loved the video as always 🤟🤟
Bon Scott didn’t do vocals for Back in Black, that’s Brian Johnson. Bon Scott did vocals on Highway to Hell, and he was lower in his chest with his mix than Brian J. A similar style, yet so different.
COMMENTS ARE AWESOME. Never realized what was going on with Joe’s vocal. Head voice …. Chest voice….now I know and can easily pick it out. You’re great and thanks very much for educating me. You rock….literally.
Love these analyses I'm a big fan of Joe and Def Leppard. I remember when they released Hysteria and hearing the misadventures they'd had including their drummer losing an arm. . Another guy who handled the transition from chest to head voice seamlessly was Michael Hutchence; he could be way up in his upper register and you couldn't tell that he was up high. An underrated singer who wasn't just a pretty face.
My fav Def Leppard song. Impressive mixing. I was 13 when it came out and blows my mind every time I listen to it. BTW, Pyromania sold more than Michael Jackson’s Thriller at that time. Total respect 👊🏻
Rock of Ages is on Pyromania as is Photograph . 1983 , don't mean to be snob I'm just a huge fan of Def Leppard. Especially this era. Funny story I didn't know that's how he warmed up but I've done this my entire band career right after doing traditional vocal eases .
This is an amazing channel! Ken is such a gifted singer and teacher. I love how he breaks down the isolated vocals and is so knowledgeable about singing.
My favorite DL song? I like so many of them, it's tough to pick. I've rediscovered "Armageddon It" lately. It's so damn hooky ... the middle 8 on that song just slays!
@@виталийлео-ф2ы Yes "Hysteria" also great. I like that song because technically it's a ballad, but it's not a cheesy ballad. And it's *so* well written. That's what I think separates DL from their peers (songcraft). ✌
I'm so happy I came across this video. Def Leppard is one of my favorite bands of all time! I'm also glad because I used to watch all your videos and I've been hella busy. Coming back to your channel brings a level of nostalgia that I am not complaining about
Thanks Ken! I remember seeing an interview with Joe where he said Mutt made him sing over and over and over and over until he was exhausted. David Coverdale was also recording at the same time and he would come in, sing a song in one take, and then leave. Lol
my top fave ROCK band and I play their music... learning techniques and making songs sound your own is all about singing and making it sound good...! Seeing other videos of Ken's I can tell he puts a lot of thought and his knowledge is true - I have sung in many choirs and even vocal jazz and barbershop in my past and I see the same things that have been taught back then present in Ken's videos... !! Keep this going and thank you, Ken, for doing one of my FAVE bands!!! YOU ROCK Ken!! KEEP ON ROCKIN!
I just re-watched your version, which was great, i can see by the way you did it, you can sing that song night after night and keep and maintain vocal chord health for the long run of a career, thanks Ken!
I loved this analysis. I'm an audio engineer and I can hear the changes in his head and chest voice. People think I'm nuts when I mention it. Now I've got someone to back me up on this. Thank you. Also, could you do an analysis of some Steelheart songs? I'm not picky about them. I love Mili's voice.
I can remember back in the late 80s Joe Elliot was interviewed on Radio 1 UK at the time the DJ was Simon Mayo, as he was starting the interview with Joe, he said we have a very special guest in the studio this morning, and it's the one and only DEF ELLIOT, well Joe picked up on this straight away and said what did you say Simon, it was funny as F***k at the time Ken
Dude, I have to say , I personally haven't seen anything so In depth And someone so verst Is in their knowledge Of vocality. I personally love Def Leppard And I couldn't ignore the fact that you brought up so much Other influential voices. Amazing video and kudos my friend.
Saw them live in 1988. I wished they had of done more songs from the "High n Dry" album. I think they only performed "Bringin on the Heartbreak". It was still a great concert!
My reaction to hearing pyromania for the first time was the same...WOW it was the most amazing record I'd ever heard and Def Leppard became my favorite band for the rest of my days.
I gotta admit, I’ve had a crush on joe since I was 10. I’m 43 now lol. Thanks for giving an honest and respectful review of his vocals. You always give the artists such respect 💜
So well described, sensible and accurate. Your personality makes me laugh as you describe his vocal characteristic in the MOST sly condescending yet complementary way. You can make anything sound positive...or not!
On the first album Elliot was not sounding like he was influenced by Scott/Johnson but more Plant influenced in a lower range……from the second album on it sounded like he was shredding his vocal cords
Ken, thank you so much for doing this. I learned so much from you about vocals and recording techniques. What a great song to analyze! I have always loved Def Leppard, and Pyromania in particular. Every chance I get, I’m BLASTING it!!! 👍🏼🎸😎
Loved the early Leppard stuff up to and including Hysteria. That had great backing vocals too. I was worried isolated Joe wouldn't sound as good but he was younger then. Great stuff, he was a great rock singer bitd. Interesting analysis Ken for the non professionals, like me !
Isolated vocals on this one were really great, as well as some insight into production techniques. Really great piece of music and nice to hear again.👍
Such an excellent video. Ken, we REALLY appreciate your sensitivity but also your honesty and sharing of info/educating us. Listening to this makes it seem attainable, not so super-human.
This has been very enlightening. I've always suspected he sang this way. I've always been a fan of his voice. It never made a lot of sense to me how his voice changed so much after the first record. I always knew Mutt had something to do with it. What I'm wondering is, does your natural speaking voice have anything to do with the amount of power you get with your headvoice? Joe's speaking voice is deeper than mine. I get that power and support more in a higher range but it's frustrating not being able to get it in those mid rages like " i see your face every time I dream"
They chorused/detuned the hell out of everything too. My band covered this song and it's one of the few songs I actually liked playing guitar on. Usually played keys
Mutt Lange also produced Foreigner 4 in 1980. Lou Graham said in an interview that Mutt Lange wanted Lou Graham to sing in a higher pitch. But Lou Graham told Mutt Lange that he doesn’t sing like that. I guess Mutt Lange liked the higher pitched voices.
Hey Ken! Just went through the comments again. I see you did some replies which is so nice of you. It's one of the things you are known for. It is so appreciated. People want to hear from you and I believe replying is just part of who you are. Ken you have such a big heart and everyone knows it! Peace my brother, see you in a few hours.❤😎
I love hearing the classic amazing albums with parts isolated to be able to hear it in a way I never have. Cool breakdown. These kind of back stories on my favorite songs are great.
Also, what I wanted to add... by the time they get to Hysteria, Elliott also was wise enough to really produce vocals that were either in his chest OR head voice, with brief transition points through his passaggio rather than living too close to their on his vocals. In you listen to live versions of "Bringing On The Heartbreak", they change they delivery and he changes his approach to sing "above" the original refrain in his head voice.
Def Leppard rules. But you are so correct I do sweep in some of my stuff. Since I’m taking your class I know I’ll get much better. My screaming is powerful and spot on but I know my vocals will improve tremendously with your class. I’m building myself up to hopefully get to your studio there in Flagstaff. I shall be there soon Dangit. 🎶🎤🤘
I had the pleasure of meeting Joe Elliot after a concert in 1999. I still remember the conversation like it was yesterday. I said one of the things I slways admired about their sound was the backing vocals, they were so melodic. I asked him if he was in a band just starting out today and you wanted to capture the best vocals without breaking the bank what would you recommend? His eyes lit up and replied "Oh! Fostex digital mate!" For the next 15 minutes we had the coolest conversation about song writing and recording. He talked to me like I was his new best friend. Great memory!
Omg that’s my dream!
You have my utmost envy! Big Leppard fan here and Joe always came across in his interviews as a true fan of what he does, as well as a MAJOR fan of his influences. So I told myself that if I ever bumped into him after a show, I'd have to ask him about the vocal process, cause the only bands that came close, to me, in order, was Sweet first, then Queen. I would ask him how the hell Leppard managed to take it two steps above the next level, then I'd shut up and listen and learn from a true fan....but you kinda beat me to it!!!
That is truly awesome! ❤️🎼❤️
👏👏👏 lucky You! 🤍
Wow I’m jealous 🙂
The harmonies in this song are so angelic. The harmonies are what hooked me as a kid. The imperfections are what made this song so special. It was gritty, raw, sexy, emotional, etc.. one of the best songs ever written.
THEY USED A FAIRLIGHT FOR THE BACKING VOCALS .LISTEN TO THE PHOTOGRAPH PARTS ... ITS A COMPUTER .JOE HAS A MUSICAL SIREN IN HIS THROAT ... HE'S A ONE IN A BILLION TALENT .
@@mollyhatchet7075That's not the case. The backing vocals were recorded by Phil Collen, Rick Savage, and Robert John (Mutt) Lange. They didn't want Joe Elliott's voice in the harmonies to make sure they were distinct from the lead. They were recorded as a four part harmony, with each singer recording 3-4 takes (using no vibrato) and stacking all of the vocals together. This meant that there were over a dozen voices in the harmonies, which creates the same effect as a choir, reducing discrepancies in pitch from any one voice. Mutt Lange also added several tracks of whisper vocals to give the high end a boost and add a bit of hissy distortion. All vocals were recorded using a U67 tube microphone, straight into the board. This was recorded on tape so there was no pitch correction or computer assistance involved. In fact, the entire song is about a quarter-step flat. Once all vocals were recorded, he ran them through a modified noise reducer and a compressor, then piled them all onto one track on the master tape. That's what gives the harmonies the buzzy but still impossibly clean sound that makes them seem almost artificial.
@@adamhester7294 ... hi. Brilliant answer. Are you sure 4 part harmonies were used? I have worked out:
1. Root note vocal line.
2. 3rd harmony up of the root vocal line.
3. 8th vocal line (which is the higher octave of the root vocal line).
What do you think?
As a 12 year old boy when this came out, I can tell you that nothing sounded like this at the time. Photograph captured exactly how cool this band was at the time. And, I might add that to this day, I think Pyromania was by far my favorite compared to Hysteria.
Agreed Pyromania is a classic !
Agreed! It Was So Massive And Brilliant. That Old 80`s Feeling When Yer Wait`in For The Next Tune On The Radio..And Its "Photograph" Incredible
I was 13 and even bought a British flag shirt like Rick Allen's shorts. Lol
Right on. Def Leppard hit the consciousness of adolescent boys with ‘Foolin’ in like 82. They were the blueprint from which hair metal was born.
Too late for love was the track on pyro that set itself above the rest....for me. It was their best song imo and if it was on high n dry, that would have been the perfect album.
I hate to admit this, but when I was a young kid and this album came out I stole the cassette tape from K-Mart and played it endlessly. Thankfully my thief days were very very brief as I was afraid of getting caught, but what a fantastic and powerful album start to finish. Thank you Ken and God bless.
To me I think Def Leppard really defined what 80's rock sounded like. Also, after 44 years making records and playing hundreds of live shows Joe still sounds amazing at 62 years old! Great analysis Ken, please make more with Hysteria album!
Mutt Lange production techniques. The gift that keeps on giving. No matter how many times you go back to his well, it will be just as full as ever.
Ken, don't apologize, feel bad or walk on egg shells for calling out bad technique. Everyone knows you have the best intentions trying to help young singers not make the same mistakes. Your honesty and knowledge is what sets you apart from others. Keep it up!
Ive learned more about vocals from Ken than--ANYWHERE ELSE!! No Apology necessary to the one million subscriber, right?:) They do have an AC/DC vibe for sure, one of the reasons I liked them, guitar for sure using the AC/DC formula..
It goes to show tho, in rock music especially, a "bad technique" can be worked & fittted into a performance just the way it needs to be and make a #1 song.
When I first heard this song, his vocals and the melody of the song went where I didn't think music could ever sound like. It was very captivating.
This was mind blowing to me. Thank you Ken. As a teen I tried so hard to hit those notes with my chest voice without success because I had no training. However, I could hit them with my head voice. I felt like a failure for not being able to hit them with my chest voice. I loved Def Leppard as a teen and our band was always covering their songs during our rehearsals. All of us being 15 to 16 years old, the guys I would sing with were amazing musicians and I always felt like I let them down. At 48, this is rather encouraging and therapeutic. Sincerely, thank you for this. Very educational and encouraging.
Yes sir Chris, I couldn't agree more! Well said ! .. you didn't let anyone down, covering Joe!
We can all let go of the trauma of not being Joe Elliot. It’s a bit like a secret that was known by nobody at the time, mixed voice as the centering of the entire vocal range. We need chest and head, but mix takes us to Chris Cornell, and pretty every other healthy great vocalist.
He is special, he sounds amazing, always has he has a magical touch about him he gets better and better, he is the most beautiful and handsome man that I have ever laid my eyes on ! He simply sounds amazing! I hope he is able to read these reviews. Glad you were able to meet him Crystal, it’s been my dream to be able to meet him as well one day. ♥️
Was lucky enough to grow up in Europe when that album came out and saw them live on that tour as a teenage boy. The 80's rule!!
I never noticed how amazing those harmonies sound.
The Def Leppard dudes sound great harmonizing!!
My favorite De f Leppard song!!
Def Leppard was one of the greatest Rock/Heavy Metal bands of all time, with great songwriting, vocals, and production. I always hate it when people lump them in as a "hair band". They were so much more than that. I've always thought that the way you tell if a band is good is if they are good live. Def Leppard is superb in concert.
Agreed, but they did end up being the blueprint for hair metal.
Def Leppard is one those bands that will blow you away live. It's just incredible how good they are in concert.
Imagine being a 20 something Joe Elliott and hearing the playback of this song for the first time....had to be some kind of revelation of possibilities...totally enabled the confidence they would all need before Hysteria ❤
Boy, for a moment I felt young again:) Thank you!
Joe did an interview a while back and said that Mutt guided him to make his voice more appealing to the female audience. This song sounds like the segway to the sex appeal of the Hysteria album.
It worked ! They might have lost the admiration of the hair metal purists, but man look at all the millions of people they made so very happy...kudos to Mutt to know exactly what was the essence and true quality elements of the band and bring that to the forefront
They were a straight up gritty hard Rock head banger band. Listen to "Wasted" from On through the Night, Right ? Then fwd to "Switch 625". Mutt basically told them " You want to go from dudes bringing their rocker GFs, to Rah Rah GFs gushing & going in packs & throwing panties onstage & making gazillions, I'll show you how. Also cue Phil Collen & Vivian Campbell. Phil is a true axe slinger who didn't ditch his shirt for guys, & Vivian is a great guitarist. But Steve Clark & Pete Willis were a raw powerhouse pair together. RIP Steve Steamin Clark.
I absolutely love Joe Elliott’s voice and I pretty much had a crush on him since the 80s. I hope he reads these reviews. If you’re reading this Joe I love you.
He IS pretty damn good!!!
Always loved def leppard such a great band a killer band Joe Elliott was great he has his own unique style in his voice photograph one of their best songs def leppard rocks they had a lot of great songs and great albums love bites is one of my favorite songs I loved the rasp Joe Elliott had in his vocals your right his vocals are pretty stinking good it rocks def leppard rocks Joe Elliott rocks long live the leppard🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
I used to listen to Def Leppard a lot before I got saved in 1992. I always heard that AC/DC vibe in their songs and that’s why I liked them.
Despite the scooping, And the wall of sound I think the style fits the song perfectly. Joe Elliot is the undisputed master of sounding like Joe Elliot.
Yes, Larry. No one sings more like Joe Elliott that JOE ELLIOTT! ☺
I think it’s a great exercise to try to analyze and even impersonate great vocalists. It’s good that you are warning people about how our wrong impressions of what’s being done can lead to vocal harm. Question. Do you think that most of the damage this generation of vocalists did to there voices came from grueling schedules, bad venues, abuse of the body and mind? Is injury just a random thing? Vocalists are athletes, there is a risk of injury in some of these things all the time?
Btw, I’m eventually going to do a RUclips series on vocal pedagogy that tries to highlight the differences and similarities in the leading online coaches. You guys have definitely convinced me that most people can learn to sing beautifully. What an untapped source of blessing in our lives! A way to bring comfort, to worship.
Can you give me a short explanation of "scooping"? I know it might be rudimentary, but I truly don't know what it exactly means (something to do with midrange?)
I love Def Leppard and had a huge crush on Joe back in the day. I remember there being a movie about how Mutt produced them. I saw them live a few times and they were great! I love these break down videos on the isolation of vocals too!
I also had a huge crush on Joe way back when. He was actually probably one of my very first musical crushes, and even today his voice still gives me all the good kind of goosebumps. 💜
Joe Elliott is my hero, maybe because I was approaching some notes with simillar techniques (maybe because I wanted to sound like him). But after longer singing my throat was destroyed. It was very hard for me to be on pitch and to sing soft and clean. Few weeks ago I’ve finnaly “found my voice”, approaching notes is much easier when I don’t mimic Joe’s colour, I just sound as me, compression and distortion control is much better and finally (!!!) I go through my passagios with no bump when I sing (not practicing). I can finally apply what I’ve learned in Volume 3 of KTVA 2.0. Thank you Ken!
Congrats!
To me this is one of their best songs…if not the best! Love this song!
Def leppard is great. I saw the band live in 2011. I can't believe how you analyze his singing.
Now I am even more enthusiastic about continuing your course. Again, your explanations are just worth gold.
Very cool to see this. Joe's voice is so unique and your breakdown and explanation of his head and chest voice is phenomenal. Kudos!
Awesome to hear Joe's isolated vox. His voice is unmistakeably killer!
I remember buying this album on vinyl back in '83 and asking my dad to transfer it onto cassette for me to listen on my walkman. He was showing me the levels on his EQ (badass system for the time haha) and saying that it wasn't a great recording cuz they weren't hitting the full range. He then played Fleetwood Mac and showed me the difference. I had never really thought about that before, but I think what Ken was describing as the "tubby" drums pretty much sums it up. Still an awesome album and great song.
Fantastic. Probably my favorite of your videos. Great comparison to AC/DC & Mutt Lange’s touch. Always loved Def Leppard. My first cassette ever was On Through The Night. Saw them a really long time ago & Joe was all business. Great analysis! Never realized how high Joe’s register was. The more of your analysis the better! Fantastic!
Great break down, Joe's voice is so raw young and full of energy! It gives me chills Everytime I hear it. It makes me weep for what we have lost and for what kids today will never know. The power of good music and a good voice can change a young kids life. Unfortunately that power does not exist anymore. Technology has it made so that having no talent is no longer an obstacle to becoming a star. So now you just have noise being made by talentless fools. No originality no innovation just garbage for simple minds made by talentless simple people. How tragic to see what has become of music in this day and age.
I couldn’t agree more
I read or heard Ann Wilson from the band Heart talk about consciously recording the vocals on their first album in the middle of her vocal range so she wouldn't have trouble singing those songs later in life. Thinking that far ahead was brilliant. She can still hit those notes to this day with little effort. She is frequently out of breath because of her weight issues but she's still got the pipes...
Right on, Ken... if one listens to Def Leppard and AC/DC live circa 1983, Elliott and Johnson's vocals sound VERY similar in technique and delivery. Mutt Lange really did a superb job with both vocalists. To really hear this with Johnson, listen to some of his Geordie stuff before he joined AC/DC. Also, your analysis of Elliot's use of mix in transitioning from chest to head is fantastic. It took me quite a while to learn his vocals because I initially would catch myself trying to force my chest through the roof of my voice. I can see this helping a LOT of people. Thank you once again and God Bless, sir!
Thanks for weighing in, Brent!
I listened to Def Leppard for every one of my cancer treatments🌸🙏🌸
I hope you are well now 🙏🏼
Hi Ken, thank you so much for that lesson! I am a singer and guitarist in a coverband and was about to to drop Photograph in B, as I wasn't able to take all the high notes. But Photograph in Drop B sucks, no punch anymore. I always thought, I have to use my chest voice to sing "truely". You taught me I don't have to - and it now works, dropped to D. Opens up whole new world for me, so great I saw your video. Works as well with Accept covers. You are the man, thank you!
High 'n' Dry (1981) featured the AOR hit single "Bringin' On the Heartbreak". Pyromania followed in 1983.
Great video, Ken. This is the one I've been waiting for. You're awesome.
I think that is my favroite Def Leppard song *;)
You forgot On through the Night which was first.
@@iamperplexed4695 you beat me to it with this reply!
God I love this band !! Definitely wish I was there in the 80’s 😢
Love leppard, so this album had rock of ages and I think the album was 83 or 84
The first album was on through the night which did ok here in England but better in America and they were acused of selling out by the British papers the vocals are quite raw on that album it would be cool to see you thoughts on how his voice changed through the albums
Second album high and dry same story had bigger hits like bringin on the heartbreak and let it go which I think was the one you were thinking of and the master Steve Clark’s instrumental switch 625
Then this was the third album pyromania which did a lot better
Then Armageddon it was hysteria which was obviously their biggest success
Loved the video as always 🤟🤟
Bon Scott didn’t do vocals for Back in Black, that’s Brian Johnson.
Bon Scott did vocals on Highway to Hell, and he was lower in his chest with his mix than Brian J.
A similar style, yet so different.
Love the production on def leppard songs , nothing better than a long drive in the car with Hysteria blaring out the speakers.
Definitely!
Joe was one of my masters when I started to sing 5 years ago when I was 11 years old and really help try to mimic him, to sing In the way I sing now.
Ken, you're right. This was released in 1983, and is off their 3rd album, Pyromania, which also included Rock of Ages, Foolin', and Too Late For Love.
COMMENTS ARE AWESOME. Never realized what was going on with Joe’s vocal. Head voice …. Chest voice….now I know and can easily pick it out. You’re great and thanks very much for educating me. You rock….literally.
Yeah!
Love these analyses I'm a big fan of Joe and Def Leppard. I remember when they released Hysteria and hearing the misadventures they'd had including their drummer losing an arm.
. Another guy who handled the transition from chest to head voice seamlessly was Michael Hutchence; he could be way up in his upper register and you couldn't tell that he was up high. An underrated singer who wasn't just a pretty face.
My fav Def Leppard song. Impressive mixing.
I was 13 when it came out and blows my mind every time I listen to it.
BTW, Pyromania sold more than Michael Jackson’s Thriller at that time. Total respect 👊🏻
love this song
Rock of Ages is on Pyromania as is Photograph . 1983 , don't mean to be snob I'm just a huge fan of Def Leppard. Especially this era. Funny story I didn't know that's how he warmed up but I've done this my entire band career right after doing traditional vocal eases .
This is an amazing channel! Ken is such a gifted singer and teacher. I love how he breaks down the isolated vocals and is so knowledgeable about singing.
High n' Dry is my favorite album. Let It Go, is my favorite DL Song. Great analysis Ken, Thank you.
Thanks, Rhoads!
I think "Love Bites" is their best song..The vocals are so awesome..
Great song.
My favorite DL song? I like so many of them, it's tough to pick. I've rediscovered "Armageddon It" lately. It's so damn hooky ... the middle 8 on that song just slays!
I think "Hysteria"
In vocals yes but I think songs like Billy's got a gun or Die Hard the Hunter are better but for me every song of Def Leppard is amazing
@@виталийлео-ф2ы Yes "Hysteria" also great. I like that song because technically it's a ballad, but it's not a cheesy ballad. And it's *so* well written. That's what I think separates DL from their peers (songcraft). ✌
I know this is about Joe but I gotta tell ya, I got chills when that chorus hit with those harmonies!!
I'm so happy I came across this video. Def Leppard is one of my favorite bands of all time! I'm also glad because I used to watch all your videos and I've been hella busy. Coming back to your channel brings a level of nostalgia that I am not complaining about
I saw Def Leppard in 1987 and 1988 - they were great! Thanks for covering this!
Thanks Ken! I remember seeing an interview with Joe where he said Mutt made him sing over and over and over and over until he was exhausted. David Coverdale was also recording at the same time and he would come in, sing a song in one take, and then leave. Lol
my top fave ROCK band and I play their music... learning techniques and making songs sound your own is all about singing and making it sound good...! Seeing other videos of Ken's I can tell he puts a lot of thought and his knowledge is true - I have sung in many choirs and even vocal jazz and barbershop in my past and I see the same things that have been taught back then present in Ken's videos... !! Keep this going and thank you, Ken, for doing one of my FAVE bands!!! YOU ROCK Ken!! KEEP ON ROCKIN!
I just re-watched your version, which was great, i can see by the way you did it, you can sing that song night after night and keep and maintain vocal chord health for the long run of a career, thanks Ken!
You are really great teaching how the singers working on the road. You've all the perspective clear about that. Thank you.
Thank yoou!
my favorite song by my favorite band off my favorite album
I loved this analysis. I'm an audio engineer and I can hear the changes in his head and chest voice. People think I'm nuts when I mention it. Now I've got someone to back me up on this. Thank you. Also, could you do an analysis of some Steelheart songs? I'm not picky about them. I love Mili's voice.
I can remember back in the late 80s Joe Elliot was interviewed on Radio 1 UK at the time the DJ was Simon Mayo, as he was starting the interview with Joe, he said we have a very special guest in the studio this morning, and it's the one and only DEF ELLIOT, well Joe picked up on this straight away and said what did you say Simon, it was funny as F***k at the time Ken
Ken, your knowledge and passion for vocal art is so adorable, inspiring and infectious.
Dude, I have to say , I personally haven't seen anything so In depth And someone so verst Is in their knowledge Of vocality. I personally love Def Leppard And I couldn't ignore the fact that you brought up so much Other influential voices. Amazing video and kudos my friend.
Saw them live in 1988. I wished they had of done more songs from the "High n Dry" album. I think they only performed "Bringin on the Heartbreak". It was still a great concert!
Ken doesn’t just talk it, he’s lived it!
I appreciate that, Max!
"Mutt Lange could make a fart sound good", OMG, I am still laughing! Another great video Ken, Thank you for making these!!
Haha you bet!
My reaction to hearing pyromania for the first time was the same...WOW it was the most amazing record I'd ever heard and Def Leppard became my favorite band for the rest of my days.
I gotta admit, I’ve had a crush on joe since I was 10. I’m 43 now lol. Thanks for giving an honest and respectful review of his vocals. You always give the artists such respect 💜
Rock on!
Yeah we all did, he lives in Ireland so l always imagined I'd bump into him lol...I'm 44 now. Married with a bunch of GenZ kids 😂
different class you really teach Ken you know the secret way of proper singing.😍
Mutt Lang the Aaron Spelling of music gold .. Loved this as always. Have a great weekend Ken .🤘🖤🙏🏻
YOU PULLED THE CURTAIN BACK THANK YOU! I DIDNT EVEN KNOW IT WAS THERE!!!!!!
I just bought the course today! Seems great! I bet it would be. Thank you so much Ken
So well described, sensible and accurate. Your personality makes me laugh as you describe his vocal characteristic in the MOST sly condescending yet complementary way. You can make anything sound positive...or not!
On the first album Elliot was not sounding like he was influenced by Scott/Johnson but more Plant influenced in a lower range……from the second album on it sounded like he was shredding his vocal cords
I think in Bringin on the heartbreak you can hear that change of style beyond the first album and High and Dry
Ken, thank you so much for doing this. I learned so much from you about vocals and recording techniques. What a great song to analyze! I have always loved Def Leppard, and Pyromania in particular. Every chance I get, I’m BLASTING it!!! 👍🏼🎸😎
I love the sound at 10:30.
Spent many miles listening to Def Leppard on the way to and from school.
Great job on these! Please keep them coming?
This was so awesome! I really enjoyed this video. Thank's Ken!👍
Finaly, i have waited so long for some more def leppard. Keep up the good work =)
Loved the early Leppard stuff up to and including Hysteria. That had great backing vocals too. I was worried isolated Joe wouldn't sound as good but he was younger then. Great stuff, he was a great rock singer bitd. Interesting analysis Ken for the non professionals, like me !
Glad you enjoyed it!
Iconic song! Probably my personal favorite along with love bites from them!
I really love it when you sing just to give an example. Man! its so easy for you to do that. Hands down!
Great band with some absolute killer songs!
Isolated vocals on this one were really great, as well as some insight into production techniques. Really great piece of music and nice to hear again.👍
Such an excellent video. Ken, we REALLY appreciate your sensitivity but also your honesty and sharing of info/educating us. Listening to this makes it seem attainable, not so super-human.
Joe is amazing, thanks for showing us 👍
This has been very enlightening. I've always suspected he sang this way. I've always been a fan of his voice. It never made a lot of sense to me how his voice changed so much after the first record. I always knew Mutt had something to do with it. What I'm wondering is, does your natural speaking voice have anything to do with the amount of power you get with your headvoice? Joe's speaking voice is deeper than mine. I get that power and support more in a higher range but it's frustrating not being able to get it in those mid rages like " i see your face every time I dream"
They chorused/detuned the hell out of everything too. My band covered this song and it's one of the few songs I actually liked playing guitar on. Usually played keys
I agree Ken, WOW! When this song came out it has a sound that I had never heard before.
Ken, this is an incredible analysis. I learned a lot, and realized some areas I need to work on. Thank you SO much for this breakdown.
Glad it was helpful!
Love the series. Your version is superb.❤
I love his vocals always was big fan of the guys in Def Leppard one of the first rock bands I listened to
Mutt Lange also produced Foreigner 4 in 1980. Lou Graham said in an interview that Mutt Lange wanted Lou Graham to sing in a higher pitch. But Lou Graham told Mutt Lange that he doesn’t sing like that. I guess Mutt Lange liked the higher pitched voices.
Just subscribed. I appreciate your honest feedback and opinions. It was very refreshing!
Hey Ken! Just went through the comments again. I see you did some replies which is so nice of you. It's one of the things you are known for. It is so appreciated. People want to hear from you and I believe replying is just part of who you are. Ken you have such a big heart and everyone knows it! Peace my brother, see you in a few hours.❤😎
Hello brother Ken it’s me Tony from Righteous Rock TV and you as well as Chuck were the first interview! Thanks 🙏 again & God Bless
thanks, Master Jedi Tamplin. I got 3.0 vocal course. Nicely done. Can't wait to get better at singing!
How did I just now discover this channel? Fantastic.
Love Def Leppard
I love hearing the classic amazing albums with parts isolated to be able to hear it in a way I never have. Cool breakdown. These kind of back stories on my favorite songs are great.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Also, what I wanted to add... by the time they get to Hysteria, Elliott also was wise enough to really produce vocals that were either in his chest OR head voice, with brief transition points through his passaggio rather than living too close to their on his vocals. In you listen to live versions of "Bringing On The Heartbreak", they change they delivery and he changes his approach to sing "above" the original refrain in his head voice.
👍
Def Leppard rules. But you are so correct I do sweep in some of my stuff. Since I’m taking your class I know I’ll get much better. My screaming is powerful and spot on but I know my vocals will improve tremendously with your class. I’m building myself up to hopefully get to your studio there in Flagstaff. I shall be there soon Dangit. 🎶🎤🤘