Iron Maiden's Adrian Smith Reflects on Def Leppard Audition

Smith recalls his 1991 tryout for the band following the death of guitarist Steve Clark.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:37am

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An extreme close-up of heavily textured, shimmering electric guitar strings in dramatic, high-contrast studio lighting, conceptually representing the glamour and high-stakes of the music industry.The audition process for Def Leppard's new guitarist in 1991 was a high-stakes, glamorous affair, as the band sought to find the perfect fit to replace the late Steve Clark.Las Vegas Today

In a recent interview, Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith reminisced about his 1991 audition for Def Leppard, a pivotal moment in the band's history following the tragic loss of guitarist Steve Clark. Smith, who was battling alcohol addiction during a break from Iron Maiden, was one of five guitarists invited to try out for the band. While the audition went well, Smith ultimately did not join Def Leppard, with Vivian Campbell emerging as the top choice to replace Clark.

Why it matters

Smith's reflections offer a fascinating insight into Def Leppard's search for a new guitarist in the wake of Steve Clark's passing, and the challenges of pursuing multiple musical paths. The story also highlights the enduring legacy of both Iron Maiden and Def Leppard, two of the most iconic heavy metal bands of the 1980s and 1990s.

The details

Smith recalled the invitation in an episode of the Metal Journal podcast, where he described the audition process: "Phil [Collen, Def Leppard guitarist] phoned me up - him and [photographer] Ross Halfin phoned me up - and said, 'Would you be interested in coming over?' I said, Yeah. So I went to L.A. I played with him for a couple of days, I sat down with Phil and we went through some songs." Smith humorously concluded, "They did okay without me." Despite not joining Def Leppard, Smith's reflections offer a fascinating insight into the band's search for a new guitarist and the challenges of pursuing multiple musical paths.

  • In 1991, Adrian Smith auditioned for Def Leppard.
  • In 2023, Phil Collen discussed Smith's audition with eonmusic.
  • Def Leppard is set to begin a residency in Las Vegas on February 3, 2026.

The players

Adrian Smith

The guitarist for the heavy metal band Iron Maiden, who auditioned for Def Leppard in 1991 during a break from his main band.

Phil Collen

The guitarist for Def Leppard, who invited Smith to audition for the band in 1991 following the death of guitarist Steve Clark.

Vivian Campbell

The guitarist who ultimately joined Def Leppard, replacing Steve Clark, after the band's audition process.

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What they’re saying

“Phil [Collen, Def Leppard guitarist] phoned me up - him and [photographer] Ross Halfin phoned me up - and said, 'Would you be interested in coming over?' I said, Yeah. So I went to L.A. I played with him for a couple of days, I sat down with Phil and we went through some songs.”

— Adrian Smith, Iron Maiden Guitarist

“We invited five people we knew, five friends. And Vivian just fit in straight away; it was just like [it was] meant to be. [But] Adrian is great - he's a great singer. That was one of the other things [we were looking for], if you can sing. And there was some other people. We played with John Sykes - also an amazing player, amazing singer. [But] Vivian's voice [was] unbelievable. And more than that, he just fit in the style of what we're doing.”

— Phil Collen, Def Leppard Guitarist

What’s next

Def Leppard is set to begin a residency in Las Vegas on February 3, 2026, with plans for a unique show experience, as mentioned by Joe Elliott.

The takeaway

Smith's reflections on his Def Leppard audition offer a glimpse into the band's search for a new guitarist following the tragic loss of Steve Clark, and the challenges of pursuing multiple musical paths. Despite not joining the band, Smith's story highlights the enduring legacy of both Iron Maiden and Def Leppard, two of the most iconic heavy metal acts of their era.