Page 82 - Classic Rock - The Complete Story of Def Leppard 2019
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Rick Allen with his specially in her life, offering to write songs and produce her second
‘Mutt devised a method made semi-electronic kit. album The Woman In Me, a record that eventually
for Rick Allen skyrocketed her to international stardom. They married
the same year – a Cinderella story in fact. While that
to play his left-hand album sold over four million, it was her third full-length,
parts using his foot Come On Over, that really blew the lid off the union, selling
over 16 million copies in the US alone, becoming the best-
on electronic drums.’ selling country album of all time from a female artist.
Sadly, the union between Shania and Mutt soured when
he, allegedly, commenced an affair with her best friend,
There’s no doubt that Hysteria set a standard that has, leading to a bitter divorce in 2010. In a bizarre twist (and
from a production point of view, still not been beaten. you couldn’t make this up) Shania went on to marry her
Sure, it was a product of its time but, remarkably, the best friend’s now ex-husband in 2011.
record still sounds immense and utterly compelling. The A strict vegetarian and a devotee of Indian guru
depth of production is staggering, with tracks such as Darshan Singh, Mutt Lange has continued to live his life
Gods Of War, Rocket, Animal, Armageddon It and the ballad away from the glare of publicity, opting to work , quietly,
Love Bites taking songwriting, arrangements and with a variety of artists, including The Corrs, Maroon 5
production to another level. No wonder guitarist Phil and Nickelback. In 2015 he stamped his particular style
Collen said he was completely speechless when he first on moody alt-progsters Muse. Despite mixed critical
heard the final mixed album. reaction the album – Drones – has performed as well as
For Mutt this could have been the zenith of his might be reasonably expected, but because of market
professional career but, unbelievably, he still wanted conditions in the record industry, sales have failed to
more. So, with lessons learnt and a compelling signature achieve the sort of blockbuster AC/DC and Def Leppard
sound, he moved the template to others, including Bryan figures of his past.
Adams (1991’s Waking Up The Neighbours) and then, post Somehow, one imagines that this is of no consequence
Adrenalize, to a young country starlet by the name of to a man that is prepared to ensconce himself in a
Eilleen Regina Edwards, better known as Shania Twain. recording studio for years on end searching for the perfect
Shania had first been discovered in the late 80s and EQ. One thought still lingers though. Wouldn’t it be great
recorded by AOR guru Paul Sabu, a sort of aspiring Mutt if Mutt and Leppard finally set some time aside and made
Lange. It wasn’t until 1993 that Mutt made an appearance a new record together?
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