Pete Willis

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Peter Andrew Willis (born 16 February 1960 in Sheffield, England) is an English musician and songwriter, best known as a founding member of the band Def Leppard. He co-wrote many tracks and played guitar on the band's first three albums: On Through the Night, High 'n' Dry, and Pyromania, which was being recorded at the time of his departure.^[1] He was fired from Def Leppard in 1982 and replaced by Phil Collen. In 2019, Willis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Def Leppard.^[2]

Career[]

Willis attended Tapton School and was a guitar enthusiast since his youth.^{[citation needed]} He was a fan of Jimi Hendrix.^{[citation needed]}

In his early adult life, he formed a band called Atomic Mass with Nicholas Mackley, Rick Savage, Paul Hampshire, and Tony Kenning.^{[citation needed]} He met Joe Elliott in 1977 and invited him to audition for the band, which later became Def Leppard.^{[citation needed]} Willis was one of the main songwriters of the band during their first three albums.

He was dismissed from the band during the recording of Pyromania due to excessive drinking that hampered his guitar playing,^[3] and was replaced by guitarist Phil Collen. He later recorded with the bands Gogmagog (with former and current members of Iron Maiden) and Roadhouse.

Willis played Hamer Standard guitars almost exclusively during his tenure with Def Leppard. ^[4]

As of 2003, Willis left the music business. He now runs his own property management company in Sheffield.^{[citation needed]}

Personal life[]

Willis married Lindsay Smith in 1985, and have two sons, Luke and Andrew. The family reside in Crookes, Sheffield.^[5][6]

Discography[]

With Def Leppard[]

• The Def Leppard E.P. (1979) (aka Getcha Rocks Off EP)
• On Through the Night (1980)
• High 'n' Dry (1981)
• Pyromania (1983)

With Gogmagog[]

• I Will Be There EP (1985)

With Roadhouse[]

• Roadhouse (1991)

References[]