How Did the Union Jack Become Def Leppard’s ‘Pyromania’ Look?

When you have been a tough rocking child in 1983, the Def Leppard “Union Jack” T-shirts have been possible arduous to keep away from. It was the proper end result of a breaking band and an iconic wanting T-shirt going hand in hand to assist push Def Leppard to the highest of the rock world. However in keeping with Joe Elliott, there was no grand plan surrounding the look that grew to become so widespread.

Reflecting on Pyromania turning 40 this yr, Def Leppard shared the story of these shirts on their social media, with Joe Elliott revealing how he by accident stumbled upon what would turning into an iconic look.

“The day earlier than the ‘{Photograph}’ video, I had a finances of £25 to purchase one thing to make this video the following day,” remembers the singer. “I used to be down at King’s Highway and I believe it could have been McLaren’s store Intercourse. I purchased these plastic trousers that have been too quick so I needed to get leg heaters. Adidas boots, handcuff belt. I’ve received 8 quid left, and there is this Union Jack shirt for £7.99. Outfit carried out. It wasn’t some huge plan. It was simply all I had.”

Talking with SiriusXM again in 2019, Elliott added, “It was an accident. Rick [Allen] was carrying the Jack shorts in ’81 and no person took any discover. However you then see him leaping off the riser within the ‘{Photograph}’ video and we started to see these within the crowd after which any individual, possibly a supervisor stated, we must always promote them. So we simply began selecting them up for the merch stand and we simply thought it was hilarious all these People shopping for these Union Jack shirts. It was like 200 years in the past, you would be kicking us overseas.”

READ MORE: 40 Most Offensive Band Shirts [Very NSFW]

Pyromania would climb to No. 2 on the Billboard Scorching 100 chart, buoyed by the success of the singles “{Photograph},” “Rock of Ages,” “Foolin'” and “Too Late for Love.” The album is diamond licensed within the U.S. for over 10 million copies bought, and that T-shirt grew to become one of many extra widespread band tees of the ’80s.