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Def Leppard: The City In America (El Paso) That Banned Joe Elliott & Def Leppard
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- Опубліковано 24 лют 2022
- Def Leppard: Today we take a look at the infamous concert they gave in Tuscon, Arizona in 1983 that angered the city of El Paso and resulted in the group being banned temporarily.
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#defleppard #joeelliott #pyromania
I cite my sources and they may differ than other people's accounts, so I don't guarantee the actual accuracy of my videos.
I’ve done a few stories on bands who were banned from cities after inciting a riot or when their fans misbehaved, but this is a unique story. This story involves the band def leppard and how one of their members made some disparaging remarks about a particular city resulting in rock radio stations not only pulling but destroying their music. It also resulted in the then mayor of the city calling for a lifetime ban on the group from performing in the city. Let’s explore what happened in today’s video. .
In january of 1983 british rockers Def Leppard had released their third studio album pyromania. The album was a passive seller moving over 10 million copies in the States. By September of 83 the band were touring America playing a show in El Paso Texas. It was during the show that several members of the audience who frontman Joe Elliot identified as being mexican threw objects on stage. The next night during a gig in Tuscon, Arizona during the eight songs of the set rock of ages there’s a part in the live performance where there is a fan singalong. It was normal of elliott to reference the band’s previous live show to get the audience’s energy up. According to the arizona star he reportedly referred to the band’s previous show in El Paso as and i quote “that place with all the greasy Mexicans and they made a lot more noise than that” (and then he used a derogatory term to describe mexicans). Elliott did’t think much of the comments and thought it wouldn’t ruffle any feathers as he thought his humor was in the same vein as comedians Cheech And Chong. Also unbeknownst to Elliott was that in the audience that night in Tuscon was a reporter from the Arizona Daily Star who passed on his comment to DJ’s and reporters in El Paso. Keep in mind el paso’s population at the time was 65 percent mexican-american.
El Paso up until this point had backed Def Leppard as the band had played several shows in the city starting in 1980.and again in 1981. A few days after the incident a recording of the slur being used would surface and it was at this point all rock stations stopped playing the band’s music. The controversy also drew the ire of El Paso’s mayor Jonathan Rogers started proposing a permanent boycott of the band from ever being allowed back into the city. Even Erin Michaels who was the program director for the local radio station KLAQ in El Paso was photographed ripping the album sleeve of Pyromania. Hispanic groups in the city meanwhile demanded an apology from the band. The band by this point was now in Japan doing press and promotion and it would take about three weeks for word of what was going on in El Paso to reach the band.
The groups would get their ask as on September 30 Elliot who was in Japan at the time would call into local radio station KLAQ and give a brief 10 minute interview apologizing for his remarks.According to the book Nothin but a good time joe elliott would remark “that comment i swear was aimed at five hispanic kids who were spitting at us, throwing jack daniels and kung fu stars at the band, not at anybody else in El Paso. I was slagging off those five bastards. I’m a cheech and chong fan and they used that term all the time.”
To make ammends Elliott offered to fly two fans from El Paso to see the band in Europe, The offer wouldn’t be taken up by anyone and instead offended . Elliott publicly apologized for his remarks and offered to pay for two people from El Paso to fly to Europe and attend a Def Leppard show. The El Paso Herald Post would interview the district director of the league of united latin america citizens or LULAC who was offended by the offer telling the paper ,. “He’s trying to buy off El Paso and we won’t have it.” Since no one from el paso traveled to europe to see the band the band instead donated 10,000 to a hispanic charity in los angeles.
The issue would haunt the band for two months and on november 23rd elliot would host a press conference in california to address the comments stating in the book nothing but a good time “the last thing that mexican amerid of me to make
Sources:
klaq.com/remem...
Here’s the story I did on the time led zeppelin got banned from Boston ua-cam.com/video/Xnp3icElKsU/v-deo.html
But in 1997, Def came down to play in Mexico City with all their smiles and apologies and went down to Latin American in a Tour that was something to see in your lifetime. We all regret some things we said in the past.
I am Mexican descent and i was born and raised in el paso and i am a huge def leppard fan! i have heard of this before, i literally have a teacher who ended up burning his ticket because of this haha
oye muchacho mahico, que tal?
@@ubuntuber1619 I'm good :)
😂. He thought he cld say it. Being a " limey" U can get a way of stuff if u r part of a group! He didn't get u can't say " beaner" etc. Just ignorance. Now w\ PC & cancel culture u can't say anything.Jow didn't say it in a hateful way per se
What's really wild is I had Basic and AIT training at Ft Bliss (El Paso) TX from 21 Sep 83 to Feb 84 and this is the first I've ever heard of this incident, which isn't too awfully surprising when you consider how isolated you are in Basic Training but once we entered our AIT phase around Dec or so and started being released on the weekends you'd think I'd have caught wind of this, and the weekend we graduated I had four days before I shipped to Germany and got to see a Kiss concert in El Paso.
I did see Def Leppard in May of 83 before graduating high school and was a huge Leppard fan in those days, it's like I always tell people "I got to see them back when the drummer had two arms", not many people can say that, wish I had a picture of it.
im also from el paso i still enjoy there music
Def Leppard just played in the Sun Bowl on August 18, 2023. It was sold out and was an amazing concert. (over 45,000 in attendance) They will be back to play again. This is a dead issue.
I am a huge Def Leppard fan for almost 50 years and never heard about this incident before
I was there when he said that. He said "greasy mexicans". Funny he said it to an arena full of "greasy mexicans" in Tucson.
Because it wasn’t important
I was a huge Def Leppard fan in high school and was in Basic Training in Ft Bliss El Paso Tx in September of 83 and this is the first I've ever heard of this incident.
That's kind-of impossible, considering that Def Leppard has only been around since like 1978 and weren't even known in The States until about 81. So, you mean almost 40 years.
@@bobthebear1246
I saw them in concert 39 years ago, May of 83 just before I graduated high school.
That's back when Rick Allen had both of his arms, not many people can say that.
Wish I had a picture of it.
Maybe an apology was due Def Leppard by the city of El Paso for the behaviour of its citizens. THROWING KUNG FU STARS AT THE BAND. Let that sink in for a minute.
Lmao, I never knew about the kung fu stars… but I’m from El Paso, and I remember this FULLY. This was probably one of THE MOST hated bands in the city. We’re 80 percent Hispanic, man. In a city of like 700,000 to 800,000… and over a million combined metro. ALL OF US Hispanic. 😂
To this day we can't have anything nice here in El Paso. Thanks to the special people who ruin everything for us.
Been waiting a long time to see you do a video on Def Leppard. Fine job! Please do more! Rick Allen’s accident, Steve Clark’s death, Joe and Rick’s arrests, etc. Whatever it is, keep up the good work, man!
YEEEESSSS more Def Leppard!!
I saw Def Leppard in concert in May of 83 right before I graduated high school, that's back when Rick Allen had both of his arms.
Not many people can say that, wish I had a picture of it.
totally agree!
more on the dee-dar lads
from steel city. 🙌🏻
please & thanks 😉
✌🏻🇦🇺
I remember this, as the radio station KLAQ, said these words the mayor kicked them out. It was sad, but things changed after a loooong while this changed.
Love learning new facts about a band I've listened to for over 4 decades. Thanks guys!
I lived in Tucson and my Dad told me this story after he heard me listening. To Def Leppard. I still listen to them and I have a lot of family in El Paso who do listen to Def Leppard.
Born and raised in Tucson. I remember the story but I still listen to them. Pima County!👍👍🍺🍺😎🎸🎸
I remember as a kid hearing about this incident on the radio one night. I never really thought any more about it until now, almost 40 years later. Thanks for covering.
Great research with outstanding narration, just a good video all together. Thank you sir.
I heard this story from my cousin who lived in El Paso at the time. Excellent research and thank you for taking my suggestion as I didn't know the whole story. Keep up the good work.
Reminds me of the time John Lennon said as a joke (yes, I still feel it should be specified...AS A JOKE) that The Beatles had become bigger than God... There are so many other examples of these kinds of misunderstandings in Rock History ! And sadly, it always seems to happen in the U.S....
The sad thing is that by the time the question is raised and a justification from the offender is demanded, it's already too late... The reaction that the (supposed) offence has triggered has already stired the wave of mass stupidity and had its disproportionate consequences. Like a kid who thought he heard an insult from someone and would react by punching that someone first instead of asking : "What did you say ?" and eventually finding out he had misunderstood.
It really baffles me how much a country which holds Freedom of Speech as a core value can be so easily offended at the same time. Really a land of contradictions and extremes... God bless George Carlin !
Hey there. One thing you are missing from this documentary is Joe Elliott's apology during a concert in September 1992 at the Pan American Center, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico. I was there at that concert. Las Cruces is about 35 miles north of El Paso. During the concert, Joe Elliott gave a long apology for his 1983 comments. Redemption is a great thing, and that night Joe Elliott truly showed his regret. Because of the missing truck equipment issue Def Leppard spent several days in Las Cruces. The band got to experience New Mexico, the food, Hatch green chile, and more.
I wish you would do more stories about Def Leppard. They are my favorite band.
I live in El Paso, my mom (RIP) would always mention this when I was growing up
Def Lep was my first concert ever. Pyromania tour 1983, L.A. Forum. My uncle took me for my 11th birthday. We camped out over night at Music Plus to be first in line for tickets. Was definitely a different time lol. But what a show!
Born, raised, and still here in El Paso. Wild story that still is told to this day.
I remember that comment back in 1982. If I remember correctly, Joe Elliott later apologized for his words some ten years later at a show up the road from El Paso in Las Cruces, NM. Lifelong resident of El Paso, TX
I moved there for college to get away from the cold liberal northeast in the early 90s. The city was 70% Mexican and more like Mexico than Texas. But it was a very friendly place that never made us minority Whites feel unwelcome or unwanted. Good memories of El Paso.
El Paso sucks for the most part. I'm here. I overstayed the short period I wanted to stay here but the damn idiots stole my car with a years worth of work inside it because the other maintenance idiots from Mexico caused my apartment to flood by not servicing a faucet that exploded from corrosion even after I complained about it. This is a very toxic place with substandard everything but you can never criticize the city or people lose their minds. They have issues and are in the way of progress. By the way El Paso is nothing like Mexico either.
Glad you ran like hell from any liberal area. 🤣 I bet El Paso is fantastic with fantastic people.
@@valerie7008 it is! It's mostly Mexicans, but it's like walking into the sun from the cold going from the northeast to El Paso. They are very nice down there. Nothing but good memories of El Paso.
Yep was at that show in the Sun Bowl, freaking amazing. Been to every concert that Def Leppard played in El Paso and Las Cruces (and many more outside of El Paso). Can't wait for them to come back to the city. I was at that concern in El Paso in 83! Life long fan from El Paso!
Thank you. No one talks about this. It was a huge scandal. I forgive Joe. He explained what he meant. He was not talking about an entire city. He was talking about some cholos in the front row who were throwing liquor bottles and knife like weapons at the band. The same type of people that will beat you to get to the front. That neighborhood is known to be rough and not even my parents wanted us around that area. I mean they were rough. Of course some got out and are respectable professional people. Also, that is the same neighborhood Richard Nightstalker Ramirez grew up in. I forgive Joe. My mom was Mexican and she would call misbehaved people "those cholos" and wanted nothing to do with them.
They really aren't expecting people who pay to see the show throw objects at them , so maybe a bottle of jack being thrown at ya might piss you off when you're trying to work , offensive remark ? yup , moral of the story don't throw crap at people when they're working , everyone paid for a ticket
I am of Mexican decent, live in El Paso since 1980, and absolutly love Def leppard! I have seen then in concert anytime they are in area.
You are not mexican, just a pocho
So? You want a pat on the head for being a boot licking sell out?🙄
Very good job at covering that story, I remember when it happened but I was clear on all the details, thank you for sharing.
Robert Smith of The Cure once said he couldn't stand touring in America. Nobody blinked an eye. Either way I still think they are a great band.
But the Cure are good 👍🏻
Not the same situation
However, he didn’t have a problem taking American money.
@@veerchasm1
Def leppard is better.
Cancel culture was alive and well in 1983,wow!
I never knew about this. Things get said, things happen! Rock on 🎵.
BEEN WAITING FOR A DEF LEPPARD VIDEO!!!
more coming...
@@rnrtruestories oh i imagine. Keep it up
While Joe and the band took all the heat for his comments, yeah, not really a smart thing to say no matter what the cause was, those 5 guys who threw the stuff up on the stage and spat at the band, they obviously know who they were, I wonder if they ever felt any guilt for what they did to him and the band.
Joe Elliot was telling the truth though. Im Mexican and live in El Paso and we are pretty greasy lol
We got some lithium white grease here to
The 'ban' got lifted during the Hysteria tour (the band's mainstream peak). Shocker.
I was born and raised in El Paso. The Pyromamia tour was my first concert. I was HUGE fan! I still remember watching Friday Night Video Fights on MTV praying Photograph would win! I was only 13 years old at the time, but was devastated by Joe Elliots comment! I don't think he was a racist. With cancel culture what it is now, he probably would have suffered way more had this happened today. I hold no hard feelings, but I never see them in concert again.... mainly because I outgrew they music.
Well glad they are back this Friday finally after many decades drought
Those people must have been really soft. Kinda sickening
Non issue. Americans go overseas and make HUGE gaffes every day. Def Leppard always loved El Paso because El Paso loved Def Leppard from the very first album. El Paso was the first place where DF went huge from the beginning. Def Leppard were honored from the get-go. This incident further ties them to the city and makes the relationship between band and city even stronger.
Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me
I'm from El Paso Tx, And I'm Mexican I heard all about this. I was a fan since I was 9 years old. I did saw on the news, Def Leppard Donating money to Utep College from El Paso. I saw Elliott on the news. After that everything was good. I am still a fan of them. Just right after I passed my cdl driving test. My teacher put the song wasted from Def Leppard. On his cell phone. . And he told me. This song is for you. He knew I love Def Leppard and Ozzy. Cause I have the Ozzy tattoo on my left hand just like Ozzy. My teacher told me before, I started driving, lets do this for Ozzy. And went did.. Hope I meet Def Leppard in the future. But I will be scared, I still think he doesn't like Mexicans.
Growing up during this time and hearing what def leppard had said about El Paso we still listened to all the rock groups including def leppard. I think all the hoopla was from all the people that didn't like rock so they made a big deal out of nothing.
I think what he said was those greasy mexicans but honestly it didn't bother me then and it doesn't bother me now if I were to hear it again. And the reason it doesn't bother me is because we Mexicans are some of the hardest working people. Now if the shoe fit then I guess it would bother me.
I was a kid living in El Paso at the time and people went crazy.
Wild how back then it took 3 weeks for the news to get back to the band.
Heard about this back then, but didn't know the whole story, so thanks for sharing. Sounds like they did all they could and more to apologize. I guess that's rock n roll.
That's wild because I was in Basic Training at Ft Bliss (El Paso) Tx in September of 83 and this is the first I've heard of this.
Lol did Joe elliot think there's no mexicans in Tucson arizona?
I remember this...I wanted to say I really like your channel and stories.. keep it up.. I've got a great story for you ..all true you should do a rock stories about the band sir Douglas quintet.. basically what happened was..they were a band from San Antonio Texas. But they wanted to grab the fame of British invasion.. Soo a Tex band w Sir Douglas in The name.. fans thought they were from.. UK but no.. then on Hulabaloo they told the world.. after they scored a top 40 hit called .. she's about a mover..go to Sir Douglas quintet Wikipedia page n I'd love to see a story about that.. SDQ had two top 40 Hits in the 60s..
I love Def Leppard, but come on, Joe. You may have meant it as a joke, but you saying something like that and Cheech Marin saying it are two completely different things.
Def Leppard is the best sounding band live I have EVER seen I saw them in 96 an was blown away by how awesome they sounded an I had lawn seats!! I've been to over 200 concerts an they still stand out as the best
I agree. I’ve seen them four times and they don’t disappoint.
❤️💜💚
@@pdmullgirl I've only got to see them twice an both times were amazing
Being from El Paso and seeing them there, front row and before this incident took place, opening for JP back in '80 and supporting their 1st LP,
I remember well when this happened later and no harm felt since I've been dissing DL even before this, when they turned bubble gum, after High n Dry and thanks to MTV. And yes, Pete Willis was and always will be a better guitarist than the guy from "Girl". No sugar poured on this limey Brit, sincerely...from a greasy Mexican, as he referred to us on that ocassion.
I just saw Def Leppard earlier this month in El Paso and I was not aware of this until about a week before the concert when a friend told me. (I'm not originally from El Paso). It was an amazing concert. I'm glad it wasn't a forever ban!!
Thanks for another interesting video
hell yeah...I remember when he said it....didn't bother me ....they rocked
Hard to imagine any rock fan being outraged. I miss the era of being offensive.
This ^^^. I agree.
Yes!!! Now we are in the era of “cancel culture” and people who can’t wait to feel victimized because it gets them off. They don’t feel special enough so they make themselves victims. 🤮🙄🙄
"Bean errs... will kick you in the FACE!!" -Chong
My friend had a cover band here in Wales for several years in the late 80s and early 90's called The Beaners because they were huge Cheech and Chong fans. We used to rehearse, get stoned AF and watch those films. Great times!
Outstanding research, love this stuff, Def Leppard had been pushin the rock up hill a lot in the beginning. Check out doc on Reading fest, where they pelted them with batteries & piss bottles. Sounds like rock & roll to me? Why was the crowd pissed at fest? Apparently they didn’t care for the bands song “ Hello America”& thought they were posers, look it up? RIP Steve, I miss Pete Willis.
Def Leppard wasn’t lying
You are correct, they weren't lying.
Lying on what?
@@Sisisiyoyoyoyo aren’t you the same one who is butthurt in every comment you’ve made above? Yes you are. Dwelling on something that was said over 20 years ago. Good grief.
And the Mexicans stare
I don't think he meant harm. He actually said El Paso was louder
Been waiting to see you do a video that involves Def Leppard!!! I hope you do one on Rick Allen's car accident soon
Looking forward to seeing them this year. Finally 😎
I remember that well,I was fortunate to have seen them in 1982,they were awesome
Hell yea! El paso tx in the house
I politely request a story about Ian MacKaye 3 bands minor threat, Fugazi and my personal favorite The Evens
Honestly I didn’t even realize it was Ian MacKaye in The Evens until I say a video of them playing and was like “where do I know that guy” and it clicked. In honestly thought it was just a short lived awesome band from 2010
Thanks for the Dee dive into this incident.
You mean the one rock station in El Paso? lol
I lived in San Antonio in the 80s... Seems like nothing but Def Leppard was being played on the radio...
I heard this story from a priest who grew up in El Paso while I was in seminary. The way he told the story was hilarious though
El Pasoan 🙋♀️ and I love Def Leppard, Joe apologized and explained himself plus the guys throwing bottles were total a-holes. The mayor, city council, LULAC or whomever foolishly decided not to accept the offer to fly two fans to Europe for a show really messed up. It was nice of Joe Elliott to give $10,000 to an Hispanic charity in LA instead, our loss El Paso.
Leppard are legends
I’m from the UK and born and raised in the same city as Def Leppard. I’ve listened to their music since the late 70s as a schoolboy and know their character as genuine and apologetic. If they offended anyone - and I know from their character from the down to earth place they were born and raised - that they would never deliberately offend anyone, and it’s credit to them that they went above and beyond what most would do to make amends from a misunderstanding that wasn’t even their fault. It’s a shame that a number of stupid individuals, and a typical knee-jerk, sensationalist, over the top without using intellect reaction, which is often typically American in character, making a big deal of the situation which led to the events. America has too many shallow thinkers, unfortunately, and in some respects needs to become a more sophisticated nation.
Also, foreigners should be more technologically self sufficient instead of depending on Americans for social media sites.
This sounds more like a Axl Rose antic instead of coming from Def Leppard's front man.
I vaguely remember this.
I lived in El Paso and this reminds me of a funny joke ,what has 9 arms and sucks? Def Leppard, another fun fact is that STP got booed off the stage here in the '90s, to this day those guys always cancel they're El Paso stop at the last second after having already sold tickets, if you can't handle the heat get out of the kitchen
I wasn't even born when that incident happened here in El Paso. He apologized. The Lepps have been here in El Paso twice the Euphoria tour, and in 2005 with Bryan Adams. Apology accepted, Hopefully they can make it to El Paso once again real soon.
EL PASO is also SIMONS home town the greatest Rocker a town could ever had RIP concert SIMON you are always in our memories 🎶🎸🤟🛐
Why did people get so offended... It's true... It sucks when American people are treated like trash while the Mexicans and I mean people from Juarez have more rights
Is it true El Paso had a band called Def Donkey play instead?
I don’t understand. He called some Mexicans, Mexican, and everybody got their feelings hurt? Get thicker skin people. Quit being easily offended by jokes. Sheeeeesh!
This is interesting. As a huge fan of Leppard I had never heard about this and I watched Mtv News all the time then.
I remember this, I lived in Chuco (EP) @ the time. We sold Def Leppard sucks.
I think the word in question was "bee nerz".
The band: That last town sucked, they tried to trash our show.
The last town: How dare you say such hurtful things, if you come back here we'll try and trash your show again.
haha, well sumed up 👍
No... That's not what was said... He called Mexicans from that town, "Greasy Mexicans".
@@MichaelKerr71 good grief, it was joke. The commenter was joking. Do you see victimhood in everything? Yes, yes you do. I can guess your age. You’re showing it well.
@@valerie7008 When people call other people racist names, yes there is a victimhood involved. If you think me being against racism is "showing my age" then get triggered more I guess.
Maybe he should change the words in some of the songs when he plays there. For example: "Pour some salsa on me!"
"Greasy Mexicans" is what he said
I liked On Through The Night and Loved High n Dry. Pyromania - the beginning of the end
He don't need that City or Country He has several more
So WHAT HAIL DEF LEPPARD
I had no idea this had happened.
🙏🏻 🇲🇽
John Cleese also Hated El Paso !!! We’ must be doin somthing right to win the ire of the Brits! Lmao
That wasn’t even that bad. I love Def Leppard
This goes right up there with Guns n' Roses, Pantera, and Motley Crue.
What did Motley Crue do?
@@soymilk6 N WORD in Greensboro, NC
I was a huge Def Leppard fan as a kid. The metal kids always said they were too soft but I always defended them. When one of the older kids told me about this incident it totally broke my heart.
Nobody likes to be spit on and have shit thrown at them... 2 wrongs don't make a right but if 1 wrong is not made then there won't be a 2nd one
They learned their lesson and taught everyone else 😂
After last week's concert believe me we're totally over that bullshit. We love them and they love us.
THIS HAPPENED 40 YRS AGO..... FORGIVENESS AND REDEMPTION ARE REAL. UNITY IS REAL.
There is never any forgiveness you cant apologize, you cant explain you cant make amends.
There was a Metal band from El Paso called, Hellstar. On their new record at the time, in the liner notes, they wrote, in Español, 'Joe Elliott sucks eggs'. I remember reading that in, Circus, or Hit Parader, way back in the day.
So good man
Although, I don’t think his comment was meant to be derogatory, you can definitely see where people would believe that it is, regardless of how many fans are doing stupid things, it shouldn’t have been lumped into the whole fan base in El Paso which again and I believe it was. This was 40 years , like the
Def Leppard‘s song, says LET IT GO!
I'm from El Paso and I went to that show. It was a really great show! I wasn't offended at all!!! The next time they played the area it was in Las Cruces NM during Adrenalize. Sad to say Steve Clark wasn't with us anymore 😢. I thought the whole episode was ridiculous
Def Leppard already had two good albums. With hits on it. That we didn't know about or didn't recognize as Def leopard. Can you call someone from Greece greasy?