Phil Collen (Def Leppard) - Guitar Lesson

[@BenEller]

That’s gotta be the longest he’s ever been recorded wearing a shirt, right?

[@Jguzman-eo6jw]

Yes

[@stepladder3257]

Yes Uncle Ben

[@mul500]

Hi there. As you're obviously a Def Lep fan, please check out my cover of "Photograph" and let me know what you think? kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJvNe5-BiNyGrJY Please like and subscribe to help the channel out. I aim to upload new videos at least every fortnight. Thanks - John

[@angusorvid8840]

A Hysterical moment.

[@heartwilson.8943]

If I had a body like him at his age I’d be bollock naked.

[@YesuAiNimen]

In 1983 I was 13 years old and lived a sheltered life just outside Tulsa Oklahoma. MTV was new and the world was something it is no longer. I turned on the tube one day after school one day and snuck the channel changer over to MTV, a channel I was not allowed to watch. I had to get my fix after school before mom got home. Def Leppard's "Photograph" came on and it blew me away. I never saw anything that cool in my life. Phil in his leather jacket playing that Ibanez changed my life in an instant. I begged my mom for my first guitar which was a piece of crap Arbor copy of Phil's Destroyer. I got that guitar at Fiery Brothers Music. They actually sold the Ibanez there but I had to settle for the cheap copy. It got me going and my life was never the same. Phil and Steve are the reason(s) I picked up the guitar. I went on to play in bands and even become a guitar teacher for awhile. it's just a hobby these days, but Def Leppard had a HUGE impact on my life and I am still a bit of a kid on the inside trying to be those guys. Phil, if by some weird twist of fate you happen to see this.....Thank you

[@michaelloomisiii3475]

Same age as you and I'm also from a small-ish town only 50 miles from Houston, but back then it was really a world away.

[@johnrambo6302]

Awesome story of your life man..I am same age as you brother...when I first heard the photograph cassette I was blown away....I had to play guitar too...I got an old beat up harmony sunburst electric guitar and amp from my brother who took it on trade with a buddy..it didn't have strings but I learned the ways quick and played that thing till my fingers bled... great memories and glad we were part of those days.

[@midnightmystery544]

Cool story bro!

[@americanescu]

Your story IS MINE! :-) I was 14 when I picked up a guitar. Changed my entire life (every aspect of it). Music, once you understand it and play it, changes you forever. Can't be captured in words but those who play guitar and absolutely LOVE it every second of it, will understand what I'm trying to say! Cheers to all guitar players out here, known and unknown!

[@BooshkiiBomb123]

Awesome story man! My dad is 52 and raised me on all this stuff, I got a stack of cds from him when I was about 11, On Through the Night, Highway to Hell, KISS Double Platinum, Diary of a Madman and Master of Puppets blasted through my speakers for quite a while, I found Avenged Sevenfold (y’all can laugh if you want but they got some bad ass guitarists lol) and I got a $70 electric guitar for my 14th birthday been playing for 10 years and I don’t know where I’d be without my axe!

[@Kweesh]

Aside from the timeless riffs, soundwise Def Leppard have some of the finest quality recordings I’ve ever heard.

[@leokimvideo]

Shirts off to Phil for an excellent lesson

[@luvpants2012]

leokimvideo Lol

[@kevo8013]

I See what u did there

[@alanjamesh.zamorano1677]

Hysteria is one of the greatest examples on how to layer different guitar tracks tastefully. R.I.P Steve Clark, he was a great composer that complemented Phil's playing a lot.

[@alexjames5243]

Alan James H. Zamorano I have a signed program from the hysteria concert from the world tour . It has the whole band including the late Steve Clarke signature, my sister was at it as I was too young to go lol . My sister got me into them . I was jealous as sh&t. I never got see them till the mid 90s during the slang tour .

[@terryfonz4603]

Some of these guys choice of voicing a of chords are the most tasteful in rock! You really don’t appreciate it until you try playing it! It’s so pleasant to the ear! You go to tackle it and end up saying what in the hell are they doing here 😂

[@jber9569]

Phil deserves a lot more credit as a premier rock guitarist. I love to hear this guy play.

[@tonycolbourne7694]

One of the greatest guitarists Britain has. Oddly he is rarely lauded as such. He knocks many so called guitar gods into a cocked hat. Nice bloke too. Quite rare to find a famous person as grounded and genuine has Phil Collen. Heres to many more years of success. I certainly won't be the only one to acknowledge that Leppard and their ilk form the story of my life and played a part in shaping who I am today aged 58. Thanks guys.

[@CodeBleu724]

For not having "great singing voices", they have one of the most recognizable singing harmonies in all of rock.

[@datacipher]

Yes Phil and Joe are the best but Rick savage has a unique voice and does some duos with Joe live and once I saw him do the lead singing on a live song. Rick Allen actually sings backup rarely but has a nice voice too… Vic cambell can also sing well….there is a song where they each sing a line… “we belong” it’s cool bc in all the years you never heard them singing on a recorded song individually.

[@charger19691]

I can’t help but notice the sadness that comes over Phil’s face when Steve Clark is mentioned. They were like brothers. It always makes me sad as well. I have to say that Phil Collen truly is a guitar playing legend and a sincerely nice man. All of the Leppards are nice guys and their tenacity and determination to keep moving forward through extremely tough times makes Def Leppard the toughest band in the world. They have worked their asses off for decades. Much respect to them all!

[@brucedickinson12]

you talk shit

[@thereasonableamericans411]

My pops and I have met them a couple times, they're all really nice fellas.

[@walshy2116]

Exactly.

[@nocturnalferalguitarist]

Phil influenced my playing almost as much as Steve's , "Wasted" is my favorite song from them

[@snowyrain5730]

@Justin Case yeah, let's have a look at YOUR life and dig up stupid shit YOU did 25+ years ago. :rolleyes:

[@mike42441]

Phil is a legend in his own time! Amazing guitar player !!!!!

[@tanya3128]

I could watch/listen to him talk for the rest of my life! Def Leppard have some of the most beautiful, harmonious guitar riffs and solos.

[@presidenttrudeau3655]

Tanya yesssss

[@skummtoons6686]

Riff King Steve Clark!

[@chriswilly2208]

Guy nails the fooling solo first take and says "something like that." Phil you rule and changed my life in the early 80's. Thanks Man....

[@alexjames5243]

Phil and steves mindblowing riffs are timeless , def leppard reached the who's stratosphere for greatness . I know this as I can go back and listen to any of their amazing albums and be transported to the first time I heard them decades ago . True legendary bands never age . the rolling stones , AC/DC , the who , led zeppelin , Metallica and def leppard . These bands have the greatest riffs and will be engraved in music granite forever .

[@azguitar]

This is actually a very informative look into Def Leppard's sound. Phil Collen seems like a down to earth guy as well. Thanks for posting this!

[@ghostwitcher9834]

This guy is phenomenal, maybe one of the most humble guys on Earth.

[@supernatural9r406]

No hes Not Really.

[@codybowman8901]

Alex Lifeson of rush is probably more humble and a better guitar player than Phil and I love def leppard

[@kahlesjf]

They all are. They never let it go to their head, or forgot where they came from, or how much work it took. Great band and good guys.

[@kahlesjf]

@@codybowman8901 There are better guitar players than Alex Lifeson and more humble successful musicians. So what? There are also better critics than you and better def leppard fans.

[@douglasyoung554]

@@kahlesjf 'Better' is a rather dodgy term when it comes to art, no?

[@jeremycubs8331]

One of those players than sometimes overlooked, Phil is a beast, his solos are tasty as hell and his rhythm chops are solid.

[@JackMcLeodJr]

I have watched many Phil interviews over the years and he is consistently a very nice, down to earth & pleasant guy. Much respect for Phil, I love his wide vibrato phrasing in particular. Also, he is a great melody writer and still to this day plays machine tight live with the rest of the band.

[@grayboo212]

When he played Foolin it made me go back to the mid eighties again and all things in my life were, although briefly, good again. That sounded so clean to me, awesome.

[@MadHatterND]

Me too! Foolin' was the reason I bought a guitar. After hearing the dive on the whammy bar, it was all over for me!

[@michaelloomisiii3475]

Middle school for me, but I remember it well.

[@uplaywithfire7564]

Pyromania is great of course! I remember high and dry as well! Those early 80's songs were awesome!

[@wolfie316781]

Grew up with this guys playing and I cant stop smiling when he plays these signature riffs.

[@gandolph4012]

He has that ballsy "proud to be loud" sound, so bright, dynamic and powerful.

[@Johnhenryguitarlessons]

Man, I'm not sure why I got into Phil Collen so late in life...I guess because he wasn't as flashy or as eager for the spotlight as some other guitarists of his time so easier to overlook. But I've been a fan o Def Leppard since I was a kid of about 9 y/o and they are one of those bands that to my ears gets better with age. Everytime I hear Phil's guitar sound and his playing I feel like, "Yes, that's why I wanted to play electric guitar in the first place!" Radical, gnarly, bodacious, yet super smooth and clear. Also always fairly understated. F***in' nice!!!

[@peanutbutterisfu]

John Henry Guitar Lessons I wish I would have been into him about 10 years ago when I first started playing. I’ve never been a big deff fan but I respect the heck out of them. Phil plays so cleanly it’s amazing!

[@josephwilliams710]

Def Leppard Riffs are the Most Creative & Coolest Guitarist Fills ever !!! 😛

[@williamjordan5554]

Listen to Panama.

[@peytonbrezski]

William Jordan I’m sure he’s heard that its like one of VH’s most popular songs lol

[@generalgrievous9877]

@@peytonbrezski lol, you'd be surprised bro

[@ericcrittenden2166]

Oh for sure. And riffs that even scrubs like me can finger.

[@wizardito7741]

tony iommi throughout his career

[@GeneralTHC]

I was like 10 years old when this album hit, and it absolutely blew me away. I'd run home after school and park myself in front of MTV. I started trying to grow my hair long and my mom made me cut it. Once. After that I wouldn't cut it again. A couple years later I was actually playing in a band with some older kids. We thought we were rock stars in our little part of the world, lol.

[@phildimeola8261]

I had the privilege meeting Phil Collen in 2015 in Offenbach/Germany. He is the most gentle and humble musician I have met.

[@lovineveryminuteofit7492]

I love it when a rock star can come down to earth to take the time to help some of the fans who enjoy learning more about music and playing skills... So laid back and makes it interesting if you are learning the riffs

[@bebodegosshoofficial]

I love the way that guitar's paint scheme looks!

[@sunnys5150]

Awesome to this. Brings back memories of middle school for me. Hysteria was massive!

[@robconerty5164]

Phil is a humble and down to earth guy. Nice how he gives props to Pete Willis. Phil is my favorite guitar player, the man can shred.

[@bradleyvest6876]

Rob Conerty I agree 100%! Phil, Steve, and Reb Beach are my biggest inspirations

[@kevinismawayoflife4660]

Phil Collen is your favorite guitar player? That’s.....Um an interesting choice.

[@XJT0428]

Yeah Phil is no virtuoso

[@oldgit4260]

He can't shred that we'll tbh

[@drjay73]

@@kevinismawayoflife4660 It's his choice as we are all entitled to our opinion. Phil is a great guitar player hands down.

[@richjl73]

It's great to hear a nod of recognition to Pete Willis who is usually overlooked.

[@josearalat]

Gravely overlooked.

[@evimlck4579]

I've seen the movie. He was the only one I didn't like.

[@BryanX64]

^Thank you. Pete rocks

[@nickjohnson5202]

Amen! Notice how radically their sound and songs changed after Pyro? Willis and Clark were magic.

[@rticle15]

@@nickjohnson5202 i agree about Willis and Clark. However i think some of the changes were a result of Rick Allen's accident too.

[@marklombardi2407]

i am in love with that sound!!!! omg!

[@No1toldmeb4]

Phil and Steve both had the best combination... when together they are the 'God of Wars'

[@newlenmedia]

This band was a gigantic influence on me. I loved everything they did. They're still spectacular and play live extremely well. They were all sort of around the same age as me so I felt a kinship to them in that way. I still think Pyromania and Hysteria are two of the greatest rock albums ever made.

[@ia5662]

very classic rock riffs, Phil always has great tone in his fingers

[@tmrevenge]

Its amazing the amount of emotions a great guitarist can convey by himself!

[@MapleJames76]

That guitar screams 80's. I love it.

[@kevinshobbyroom3932]

How cool is it that top musicians share like this ! Growing Up in the 80's I never in a million years thought I could ever get a personal lesson from one of the greats ! I LOVE YOU TUBE !!!

[@Me37368]

People say he’s not a good guitarist because he’s not good st shredding but he puts so much energy and emotion in all the notes and he’s great at writing songs and riffs

[@another4778]

Who in the world would say he isn't a good guitarist? He and Viv Campbell are both EXCELLENT creative guitarist and this coming from someone who's played for 40+ years. Def Leppard poached Phil from another band BECAUSE he was so good.

[@markusaurelius777]

You don't have to always be a "shredder" to be a great guitarist.

[@butcho7492]

Anyone who says he’s not a good guitarist knows nothing about guitarists.

[@Primevals33]

Phil we love you man. Been a fan of DL since I was 19 and I’m 56 now. You guys have always been my favorite rock band. The band is so humble and gracious to its fans. Thanks and never break up guys. DL forever!

[@Pete_Sam]

Genius. Phil is one the greatest guitarists in the last 30 years. Amazing style and watching him and Steve live was awesome

[@snowyrain5730]

Phil and Steve were the best guitar team. Steve was just a monster rhythm player. People idolize Malcom Young but Steve was right up there. His phrasing and feel were/are unbelievable.

[@maytechmayhem6178]

Its nice to see Phil speaking so highly of Pete

[@RIPANDTEAR60]

Maytech Mayhem pete really helped push the band in the early days

[@patriciaestok9329]

Phil is a gentleman. And with Pete’s departure, it gave him a career of a lifetime.

[@denniscraig2027]

Im so glad i was born 83 and started listen metal in 88 or 89. These bands are my favorite. Def leppard motley crue alice cooper kiss god these greatest 70s and 80s are what metal is and should still sound like. Phils one of the best guitar players for sure

[@travisisaacs6101]

One of the best vibrato players in rock music.

[@jordanlyons4272]

Got to meet him and Vivian in Louisville a few years ago. Best show I’ve ever been to and was so cool to meet them

[@edguitarstanleyeisen6179]

I heard the Pyromania around 1987 (14 years old or something), and this album and Band stil stays relevant to me. I am actually starting to learn some songs on the guitar and discovering how amazing their tunes are.

[@bikersoncall]

Amazing riffage, and so cool that Phill showed us all this and some of his gear choices. 👍

[@mgibbs6718]

I DID NOT KNOW THIS GUY PLAYED GUITAR ALONG WITH HIS DRUMS WITH GENESIS...SO COOL!

[@sinjon]

m giblet lol

[@reginahumphrey231]

I love you Phil Collen!!!! I wished his interview was longer I wanted to hear more.Def Leppard still got that heat.

[@AstorSkywalker]

I like the sustainer on the guitar

[@WastedJoey]

Nelson Nelson definitely

[@joshuamaloy4293]

You should play more of them, I've played Grover Jackson guitars (not fender) they freakin rip.

[@bradleyvest6876]

Kimbo Strange are you freaking stupid? I pretty much am a Jackson endorser. Screw Gibson, I hate them.

[@bradleyvest6876]

Kimbo Strange not really, fender started the electric guitars so we can all thank fender.

[@Mudge07]

Bradley Vest look up “The Log”, don’t think Fender had that one in their catalogue.

[@zenmaster1752]

I always loved DEF LEPPARD since 1978 and Phil Collen is very underrated. He is very technical and has the feeling.

[@1977raider]

Seeing him play the solo to Fooling was incredible

[@Jon-zf3dq]

I've always been fascinated by Phi's tone. Beautiful, full, bad ass, hearty tone.

[@stormchaser419]

At 6:55 do I hear what resembles the chords you find in Ratt's Back for More?????

[@JackMcLeodJr]

Yeah it's similar, many 80s bands used a lot of stuff based on usually late 60's and 70s blues/hard rock. What Phil is playing there is 'Foolin' off the Pyromania album which I think came out a couple of years before that Ratt song. Sounds like 'Your in Love' a bit too

[@angusorvid8840]

I played in a bunch of bands in the L.A. metal scene in the 80s and all you'd hear all night were recycled riffs. Very common, phoned-in stuff. When I did my weird, funky metal riffs people would perk up because they were finally hearing something different. I'm not saying I was the best player in the scene, but I did have a following, mostly Guitar Institute shred nerds, and I did try to break out of the box. Unfortunately, the bands I played in wanted to play the same recycled riff hair metal as everyone else, so I had no choice but to accommodate that. Out of a set of seven songs I'd maybe have one song that fit my stylistic intentions. Otherwise, I wasted a lot of time in that scene. But I must say, I did have some great times, hung out with Sam Kinison and his rockstar friends, saw some great bands despite all the bad ones. @@JackMcLeodJr

[@immadepatre]

Phil is wonderful ❤

[@EphemeralProductions]

a lesson from one of the masters!!!! absolutely love it!

[@shawneldridge4465]

I remember years ago I was living in the mountains and Def Leppard came on to do rock line wzzo 95.1 that was like the coolest thing ever, Def Leppard was on that radio station and given a great interview and everything like that.

[@jimmydroid7838]

He makes it look so easy. What a mastery of the instrument. Bravo!!!

[@sidbacchus1776]

Nice to hear Phil mention Pete Willis

[@hughcdavies]

To be fair I've never heard Leppard bad mouth any former band members. In fact the only person ever I've heard them make negative comments about was Jim Steinman. They said them at the time and that was that, over and done with. This obviously does not include any comments regarding footy vs Iron Maiden.

[@eirikrodberg3614]

+hughcdavies Joe often speaks crap about Willis. Too bad cause Pete had a big part in that leppard sound we havent really heard on album since retroactive.

[@frasiercraine1776]

@@eirikrodberg3614 he had nothing to do with the sound. That's the producer.

[@BJ-lp9uv]

He can play amazing how good he is and with Campbell playing beside him what a duo

[@BobbyLaneProductions]

Phil is one of my fave hard/pop rock guitarists.. would have love to have seen him break down the parts to Love Bites.

[@bindig1]

Fascinating.

[@seanantley1965]

Amazing player and person. Way WAY too underrated in the scope of players out there!!!

[@jorgevillarreal1158]

I'm old enough to have the LP's cassettes and now files on my playlist,still enjoy all those songs, peace! 🙋‍♂️🕊❤

[@josearalat]

I loved what Pete Willis and Steve Clark accomplished on those classic albums.

[@MarkJSmith-zh9ve]

Holy...? He has amazing skills and remained unknown as a shredder. So intelligent and genuine is good for me.

[@eddie01187]

Seems like one from"Pawn Stars" show

[@ozarkpipertony8396]

Just picked up my Yamaha RGX 421D and had Dimarzio Super3 (bridge), HS3 in middle (single coil) and regular Super distortion in neck. Great pickups!

[@darkclaw8959]

Lucky

[@eddiemuniz443]

Phils first band GIRL put out 2 albums in the early 80,s with Phil Lewis who sings for L.A. Guns.

[@BrianMaidenO2]

Didn't Phil Lewis go from Girl to (Bernie) Torme to LA guns...?

[@CountShockula]

I like how he jams the Foolin riff..."something like that....."

[@privateemail7697]

I think it's more like "sumfin like at" 😉 😆 😂 👍

[@thecman26]

Can't wait to see them again this summer. Phil frickin shreds!

[@satanas666reyna3]

Damn luv his playing he’s got a unique sound

[@copykon]

I just covered photograph. I also noticed the melody on the chorus sounded like it had a single guitar playing those notes, now Phil confirmed it! awesome. The bass line to Stage fright also sticks in my head almost 4 decades later.

[@Kristinapedia]

I've been a Phil fan for 30 years now and I would love to get just ONE lesson from him. And to be able to play a PC-1. If only for 5 minutes. Siiiiiiiiiiigh

[@robertjohnson3855]

Love the sound of Phil's,guitar and his,willingness to,share his knowledge, jus seems like a decent kind guy who loves his craft. Love to just BS with him,for a few hours.

[@waqqodonkey]

Beautiful!

[@The80sKidRox]

Dude kills it live. Phil is a jam god

[@josephc1078]

Awesome Guitarist. Phil is one of the best.

[@nocturnalferalguitarist]

Abso fn lutely brother! Scary amazing great guitarist and song writer

[@lukeknipe6973]

Love this guy's tone.

[@tkdunn]

Good lesson for young guitarists - learn how to sing, it just might get you the gig 😉 I love Phil’s sense of melody and constructing multiple guitar parts that fit together so perfectly. I love these guys!

[@neptuned4746]

Thank you for making my childhood awesome in the early 90's. The moment my dad played these albums was the moment I shut the fuck up and listened.

[@nathanmarineau3993]

Okay, now I no longer feel bad for not figuring out how to play Hysteria 100% like the record.

[@bloodgout]

It’s pretty complex like at least a hundred guitar parts😂

[@Themachinegun]

I wrote a similar song to Photograph and used the same techniques. It's amazing how thick you can make a part when you do this. Love the clean chores with distorted guitars pushing. I discovered this band on MTV right after Quiet Riot and right before Motley Crew. I've seen them many time over the years. Great live band.

[@MOAB-UT]

Is it online for us to hear? Sounds cool. I play but don't write much.

[@michaelpayne754]

I recognize that guitar, I was watching Pawn Stars one evening and someone brought one of those into the shop..What was really kool was is that Phil and Joe Elliot came in to check it out and see if it was a real Phil Collin signature model..It was and Phil played a couple of licks on it and to me that was the highlight of the show..Can't seem to remember what the gent got for it for pawning it off, but it was a bad ass guitar nonetheless..

[@TempoDrift1480]

Best he could do was fifty bucks.

[@yourmom-me7mi]

I saw that episode the other day and the girl that brought it in ended up with $8,000 I think.

[@andyclark4557]

Freaking awesome guy, I wish I can meet him and jam, Steve as well but unfortunately he's jamming in heaven, Phil is so under rated and deserves better, one of the best guitarist in the world that help Def Leppard rise to the top, thank god the band hired him, great guy, great musician, any band will definitely shine with Phil, he's one in a billion, thanks Phil for being a great guitarist and a great human being, the whole band is a god send, LONG LIVE DEF LEPPARD!!!

[@ZackHobbs-gb7bv]

Can I please get the electric guitar? I’m a huge fan of of you.

[@strangemagic5502]

Not exactly a lesson but a description on their ideas of layering etc. Very creative players and ideas was nothing short of brilliance.

[@squash2127]

Why did this speak to me so much. When he said he started when he was 16 on a les paul.... thats exactly what im doing right now.

[@robertmccluskey3294]

I met phil at Pontiac music and sound few years ago doing a clinic very humble nice friendly person he about talk my ear off

[@EphemeralProductions]

when he played the solo from "Foolin", I freaked the f*** out! LMAO! Love it!!!

[@scottbock9197]

When he said, "I'm amazed I remember that." I was like...🤔 don't you still play this song live during your set?

[@jackpostma5407]

Love the guitar tone and phrasing..

[@garygrinkevich6971]

Crushing tone, strikes​ the fuck out of the strings great all around player.

[@davidmohr1920]

Awesome chord progressions Thanks for sharing your stories Brother :-)

[@bangitsmom6855]

Fuck, man! He and Steve were gold!! Wonderful duo.

[@ChicagoJ351]

When I was 15 pyromania was out and photograph and foolin videos were being played, early years of mtv. I was like I have to get a guitar, I was a huge fan. Had a bunch of friends in high school that played as well. That was the inspiration that got me started playing, been playing ever since. Have a room full of guitars, gear, been in many bands, etc.. but yea, that music means a lot to me and Phil especially was the guy that inspired me by playing that Ibanez destroyer on MTV.

[@benlee3725]

This guitar was on pawn stars

[@johnmarksmith1120]

Man, I love his style/tone.

[@dickdastardly2560]

I think it's pretty cool Phil gave props to Pete Willis's playing.

[@sammyrothrock6981]

Humble and a great riff player!

[@CoolMikey81]

underrated guitarist

[@warrenvollaro2529]

Love Phil he's a helluva guitar player and a peach of a guy a real human being