Def Leppard, the iconic British rock band, is set to kick off their historic debut tour in India on March 25, after an 18-year wait. Lead guitarist Phil Collen reveals a deeper connection to the subcontinent, one that goes beyond their high-gloss arena rock sound. One of their songs, 'Turn to Dust', is about Dalits, a topic that left a lasting impact on Collen during his travels in India in the 1990s. The song, released in 1996, broke away from the band's 'Mutt' Lange-produced perfection in favor of a raw, organic sound, with the haunting wail of the Sarangi sampled from an Indian bazaar.
Collen is aware that for Indian rock aficionados, a Def Leppard concert is a generational event, and he's excited to share their brand-new show with fans. The band plans to bring the high-octane energy of their recent Las Vegas residency to India, with meticulous live production and immersive culture. Collen also has a personal mission to visit the Kailasa Temple at Ellora, a place he's always wanted to see.
Throughout the interview, Collen balanced the band's reputation for 'escapism' with his own deep awareness of the world's hostility. He acknowledged that music provides a necessary sanctuary, and he's keeping his ears open for fresh inspiration during the Indian leg. With a new album potentially on the horizon for late 2026, Collen said he's a fan of the 'Asian Underground' sound, which blends western influences in traditional Asian music.
