Def Leppard’s Phil Collen Talks Hysteria, Songwriting, and More 

Thanks for joining us for this interview with Phil Collen, what an honor! Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more interviews with music icons!

Phil Collen and Ritchie Sambora don’t get near the credit they deserve for inspiring many of us to pick up the guitar

Phil is a brilliant example of dedication, perseverance, and discipline. His absolute dedication to his music, and his health is remarkable. He has worked very hard on both. Such a cool guy too. I really admire him.

If I had to pick a fella to sit alongside inside a bar for hours WITHOUT drinking, it would have to be this lovely gentleman. Always a smile on Phils face :)

I can't believe that Phil wore a shirt... Conhrats haha

In 2023, I still find Def Leppard one of the most fascinating bands. As a longtime fan, I was perplexed as to why they didn't include a live version of Love Bytes on the 'Live in the Round' DVD. The fact that they didn't resort to using backing tracks to pull it off is a testament to their values of truly performing live. Even though not present on stage, Mutt"Lange was just as much a member of Def Leppard., but only because there was a mutual chemistry between them. I love the band members continually acknowledge this. And don't we all wish there would be a documentary or biography on Mutt? I'm sure if he were to write a book, it would instantly become a NYTimes best seller. Great interview, thanks! ♫ Let's get, let's get, let's get, let's get rocked ♪♫

Phil Collen. My hero since I was 13 years old. I'm 41 now and he's still just as much maybe even more now I know what a great, down to Earth guy he is. Thankyou so much for this interview it was tremendous!

Brilliant interview. Phil is an utter technician on guitar - massively underrated and overlooked.

I’ve loved Leppard and Phil for decades and this interview was an absolute joy. Collen is just utterly delightful 👏🏼🎸🤘🏻

Phil is amazing and woefully underrated guitarist.

I am always amazed at people that give wonderful vids a thumbs down Phil is a gentleman and amazing player

Such a nice guy. I love how he keeps playing the “Animal” chorus when talking about “Love Bites” lol guess that happens when you have such a huge catalog

Phil is so intelligent and non-ego, which is why Def Leapard evolved and progressed. He and the rest of the band were willing to learn from a genius, Mutt Lange.

Never realized how many layers Hysteria had. Listening now I’m stunned! Genius.

What a pleasure to listen to this man speak. I have had the honour of meeting Phil and he is just the nicest man, always has time for his fans. A role model.

Phil Collen is an amazing guitarist, singer, composer, and all-around great guy. Very good interview with him, thanks SweetWater.

Great interview! Nick Bowcott is the great "interview man" in my books! Thank you!

awesome interview! Def Lep has been on permanent rotation in my musical life since 1982....so thankful for their music. Phil is incredible artist and a huge part of what makes def lep so great.

I love how their albums are on peoples shelves right along with all the greats, Queen, AC/DC, the Stones, Floyd, Zep and on it goes. What an achievement!

This is just awesome. Two total professionals talking with each other. Nick - this is how an interview should be done. You did a marvelous job. Phil - Such a great guy and great player. Thanks so much for putting this out there. I love how Phil just looks around and grabs a guitar because it is 5 feet away. That is how I would picture an iconic guitar player in everyday life.

I'm still following Def Leppard ever since childhood Pyromania was my first rock record I bought in 1983 legends in my book. Thanks Phil

What a great interview. This was such an easy going conversation. Phil is THE best. Def Leppard is the most down to earth musical legends. I've loved them since I was 12.

He does own shirts! Lol I love Def Leppard.

I've watched many Phil interviews and he's ALWAYS the same awesome, down to earth Gentleman. A genuine great guy! One of my all-time favourite melodic players, his vibrato in particular and the way he rakes through a bend/lick is so well done. One of the nicest guys in rock, Jeff Pilson from Dokken/Foreigner is much the same. Class act

Great interview. Such a nice humble guy. As a new listener to Def Leppard its nice to hear all these stories and insight to the past.

Thank You, a great interview 🙏🏻 Cheers from Denmark 🇩🇰

Phil gives the best interviews! You can tell he's never lost his excitement for music at 1:06:10 -- listen to him try to explain the song with his body language, it reminds me of every musician I've ever worked with who's pumped to show their work to the world. Loved this whole thing, thank you Sweetwater.

Phil is just an amazing interview, every damn time! Thanks!

One of the coolest guys on the planet 👍👍

This is awesome. Phil signed the Jackson Guitars wall at the Guitar Center I worked at in O.C. California. I see his business van around town every so often.....like fitness/training/workout stuff or something! The dude is FIT!

i saw you guys open for billy squire, in new york '83. it was my first concert! i was 13 yrs old and it was just the best. i had to go see you guys, i was living on photograph for at least a year! probably 2. thank you phil! bless you guys

Great interview. Phil is such a cool guy and such a great musician. Def Leppard is an incredible band! Cheers guys and THANKS for the inspiration!

What a great guy. Fascinating and insightful.

This interview flew by! Phil is one of my favorite players, and Nick Bowcott always seems to have intelligent, well-researched questions and commentary that engage his interviewees. I appreciate hearing Phil’s insights about not burning one’s self out by practicing prior to the gig, and the Forrest Griffin UFC story. Keep up the great content, Sweetwater!

This interview is a goldmine of information !, for artists, producers and what not.

Always a pleasure and very interesting to hear Phil's insider account. He's so clear and single-minded. Very good discipline in whatever he's doing. Great to hear how he worked with Mutt, too. You have to be inspired to inspire others. So true!

Phil Collen and Steve Clark (also Warren Demartini) are the reason I picked up a guitar. I got Pyromania at the age of 9 and I was instantly hooked! Friends and I would play the cassette and we’d use tennis rackets to act like we were playing along until I could get the real thing.

Phil is an awesome musician and so humble. Very inspiring guy, and he's also played on some of the most incredible anthems of all time. Great interview!

Great interview, thankyou! So much to be learned from Phil, Mutt and the rest of the band...

Just lovely Interview, great questions und answers, one could feel the great chemistry between both. Enjoy to watch and hear, cheers; -) such an Inspiration Phil is and so down to earth ;-) thanks again.

Awesome interview, love hearing Phil talk all things music, gear, Def Leppard etc. My first concert was Def Leppard in Dec 2018, the Hysteria tour at the 02 and I ended up going to see them again 12 days later at Wembley. Both shows I was on Phil's side of the stage and I was blown away. Seeing him play live inspired me to finally learn to play the guitar :-)

GREAT guitarist....def underrated....

Phil you are the best. I Was 14 when I found Pyromania. I was 9 when I had Frampton Comes Alive. It's been a Rock Journey since then. Thank you man.

I can hear enough about Mutt Lange. This was a great interview

Thank you SW / NIck / Phil ! Next time, can we talk about one of the most *rock and roll* album covers of all time with On Through the Night? A semi sized Les Paul - c'mon! Cheers!

Such and underrated guitar player I see people give him so much crap but he’s my favorite player he’s amazing

Two guitarists that I love on this planet are Phil Collen and Steve Lukather

Captivating accounts and tips which is influential to me as a guitarist, and I love the notes about The Funk Brothers which I also adore so it's great to know Phil does too.

Phil Collen is one of the coolest lads ever and a stellar guitar player and decent singer!

I wish I could be inspired on a daily basis the way Phil is.

I love Def Leppard. It's rock music in perfection.

Great interview! Funny, I live about 30 minutes away from Phil here in Southern California. Great dude and an incredible singer/songwriter.

Great stuff!!! Thanks for sharing!

Phil Collin is an awesome lead guitar, my favorite!! He’s so talented!!

Phil is so cool. I'd love to sit down and jam with him for a bit. Great down to earth and no ego guy.

Im not gonna lie hysteria was one of the albums that got my into rock i never get tired of the album all classics

Such an AWESOME interview with Phil! He is a brilliant person as well as a phenomenal guitar player!!

Fantastic interview. Thank you so much

That solo for "White lightning" represents most what Def leppard stand for....

What a thoroughly enjoyable interview, and what a great attitude Phil has. Great stuff; thanks Phil & Nick.

Thx guys ....woke up to This interview...lol cause the irony behind it all is .. I was jaming with def leppard last night...Lady strange, me & my wine gods of war...miss you steve...you were an inspiration phil...god bless Clear water thank you...

Great interview. I've so much respect for Phil.

Love love love Phil! Amazing to watch him perform

Excellent interview, especially the bits about working with Mutt Lange and his approach. Thanks Nick and Sweetwater!

Great interview! Phil is an amazing musician.

Great interview this, really great chat and really enjoyed it

That was so enjoyable and just darn right an all round great interview,Phil is such a positive and influential person ,fantastic thankyou to the both of you for a great interview that didn’t feel like an interview 👍🏻

Saw Phil's band on the G3 tour a couple years ago, really enjoyed his set...nice volume , great mix, and excellent vibes/feel with the tunes

I really enjoyed this! Thank you

This is mesmerizing! Love it!

Love Phil....so down to earth....

On of my many guitar heros that influenced me as a kid in the 80s. I just wish i could afford to buy one of his guitars.

Great interview.

Phil is the man..He is reason I still play a Jackson dinky.. No Bela Lugosi.. mine is gun metal gray. But that was my first real guitar.. Thank you Nick and Phil for this awesome interview..p.s Phil I'll trade you a gun metal gray dinky for a PC1? Get back to me with your decision asap..lol Oh an I almost forgot Phil is also the reason I use a metal pick..

Cool interview. I like that he has his own Funko Pop on the shelf. lol

Tremendous interview. PC - what a cool guy.

Curious he doesn't mention hanging with Randy Rhoads when Girl toured with Ozzy. He mentioned that he played RR's Jackson Concorde & how it inspired him to play a Jackson. RR also said that Phil was destined for greatness due to his dedication to music.

Killer interview 🙌

this was a great interview 🔥🔥

I miss the 'Steamin'' one!!!

I love you 💓 Phil Kenneth Collen

Who'd have thought the guitarist from Grim Reaper would turn out to be such a good interviewer? Kudos!

Thanks Phil for Rocking the Grey Beard which makes my Grey beard look cool!!

Phil is just a good guy !

Mutt wrote the Huey Lewis and the News hit "Do You Believe In Love" :)

Interesting question about technology’s effect on music, as Def Leppard was one of the first big rock bands to record on computers and use drum machines and samplers to make rock records in the 80’s and sold millions and millions of CD’s when they were a new format. Also, they took advantage of then-new drum technology to enable their one armed drummer to continue to perform with the band. They really were the Duran Duran of “rock” bands.

Great interview, as usual, would love you to interview, Paul or Doug from Saxon. Best wishes and keep rocking.

Hysteria snd Adrenalize is def leppard melodic hardrock album and sound i know def leppard

Nice interview. And refreshing that you kept your top on!

Phil Collen rocks!!

yes top guitarist , if youre reading this im sure you remember Bingley hall supporting Kiss with Girl back in 1980, thought you had a great guitar sound then , always look for tab for my number to no avail

great interview thanks so much!

THAT was cool...

The Warning were a great opening band, when Def Leppard were in Mexico. Check them out.

Nice Insight to the music and the band. Thanks!

Amazing interview!!!

“Nick with Sweetwater”? More like Nick with GRIM REAPER!! 🤘🏼⚡️

Great Interview!

Love the Wu-Tang logo on top if the Leppard albums. A true music lover.

Wow it is great I love music this is great interview God bless you