Def Leppard is not your typical heavy metal or hard rock band; they have always leaned toward catchy, even pop-influenced, songs. Def Leppard recently had a hugely successful stadium tour with Motley Crue, proving the staying power of the 80’s hard rock titans. Joe Elliott, the band’s lead singer, recently expressed his admiration for Taylor Swift, who he believes is the greatest living pop star today. In related news, Def Leppard did look miserable at a Taylor Swift concert. They definitely knew how to put on a better stadium tour with Motley Crue!
While we may poke fun, there is no denying that Taylor Swift is currently one of the biggest names in music. Elliott even went as far as to say that she’s more significant than The Beatles and The Rolling Stones combined, especially in terms of commercial success.
Reflecting on Def Leppard’s 2008 performance with Swift at CMT Crossroads, Elliott was asked if he could have predicted her rise to stardom. He admitted that while no one could have foreseen the extent of her success back then, it now seems obvious. For those born in recent decades, Swift’s achievements are unparalleled, surpassing what The Beatles and The Stones accomplished in their time.
Elliott also praised Swift for overcoming various challenges throughout her career. Despite facing numerous obstacles, she’s remained resilient and has become a role model for a generation of fans.
“I don’t think anybody could. You look at it now, and it kind of makes sense. But if you think back to 2008, there was no such thing as what she’s accomplished.”
“I know anybody that was there when The Beatles and The Stones came over will go, ‘Wait a minute…’ But for people born this century or in the ’90s, this is a phenomenon that’s never been seen before — technically bigger than The Beatles and The Stones combined, at least commercially.”
“It’s insanity, the amount of tickets she sells,” Elliot added. “But I always knew she’d be big. And for all the hardships she’s gone though — the people who’ve tried to trip her up over the years at certain parts of her career — she’s just dusted herself down. She’s a fantastic role model for a generation of kids.”
