“The art of life consists in the creation of an original and unique self.” ~ John Cowper Powys

Steve Clark

This website is dedicated to the memory of Steve Clark, one of the world’s finest musicians and yet criminally underrated. Steve Clark was one of the founding members of Def Leppard and was responsible for writing the majority of the music for the band during his time with them.
Here you can learn about the Def Leppard Legend.

Steve Clark is my guitar hero. Like all the great guitarists in the world, he had something extra special; something that was purely Steve. Just like there is only one Jimmy Page, one Randy Rhoads, one Joe Satriani and one Eric Clapton, there is only one Steve Clark. The late, great Def Leppard man had a distinctive style that was all his own. Steve possessed a magic that was unique to him. There was this aura about him. And he just oozed cool!
He was a musician who knew the rules of music, he was classically trained; a guitar player who wore his heart on his sleeve every time he took to the stage. His soul bled through his guitar. He had the ability to produce the most stunning guitar riffs that would make you go WOW and gasp in awe! And as a showman, Steve was the best! Nobody could play the guitar like Steve “Steamin’” Clark. The Great Man owned the stage and had the audience transfixed on his entertaining performances and musical skills and technique. In the words of Def Leppard’s frontman “Steve was like God Almighty on guitar.”

Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin was Steve’s idol and Steve spent his whole life playing Zeppelin tunes and copying the moves and shape throwing of Page. So, although Steve was heavily influenced by Page, which is evident when you watch Steve perform, he grew into one of the most individual, talented, musician’s ever to grace planet earth. And, thankfully, God had blessed us with his talents and musical genius, even if it was only for a short time. I believe that without Steve’s creative force, the success of Def Leppard may never have achieved the superstar status they gained in the 1980s.

MAIN FEATURES

“I learned a long time ago that one note can go a long way if it’s the right one, and it will whip the guy with twenty quick notes” ~ Les Paul

Youtube-play Youtube-play CLARKOVISION

“IT WASN’T UNTIL PYROMANIA THAT IT WENT SORTA CRAZY.”

Steve launches into the blistering first section of the solo to Die Hard The Hunter, live in 1988.

[Footage: MTV Rockumentary 1988 and In The Round In Your Face Live 1988]

STEVE CLARK SHOWCASE

The coolest guitarist of the 1980’s is captured in this short clip of rare footage, live and backstage. Steve made those Gibsons look like they were feather light!

Video footage: Special thanks to Lorelei Shellist and The Def Leppard Vault.

[Music by Tank – Make A Little Time, with thanks. © & ℗ Soundhouse Records 2015]

TOO LATE FOR LOVE

Guitar tone like no other – haunting and atmospheric. Steve’s main solo on the Gibson Firebird.

[Footage: In The Round In Your Face Live 1988]

STEVE CLARK – COOL AS F**K

Some clips of the “ice cool” Steve playing live at Mountainview, CA, 17th August 1988.

Audio track: Clark demo from Hysteria sessions of what would become Stand Up (Kick Love Into Motion). Thanks to 206Bruce on YouTube. Bill Halle for the photo.

Access an archive of past interviews and articles featuring Steve from around the world.

ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS

View a collection of photos gathered from various media sources over the years featuring Steve and his guitars.

PHOTO GALLERIES

Find out which songs Steve played lead and ride-out solo guitar parts on during his time with Def Leppard.

STEAMIN’ SOLOS

Watch the video mini series All About Steve Clark with Phil Collen of Def Leppard which premiered on this website in 2011.

ALL ABOUT STEVE CLARK

ANNIVERSARY PAGES & INFO BITES

Steve Clark