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Def Leppard Breaks the Heavy-Metal Mold

John Swenson, Rolling Stone, 2 October 1980

KANSAS CITV, Missouri — Oblivious to the sticky heat and the rancid aroma of animal fat from the rendering plants across the Missouri River, the five British kids who make up Def Leppard sit by a Holiday Inn pool, swilling contraband beer and ogling the American girls sunning themselves across the way. Like so many U.K. bands before them, they are finding that things happen quickly in the world of rock & roll, and that cruising through the U.S.A. as the opening act for Ted Nugent sure beats the grimy jobs they left behind.

Total word count of piece: 747

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