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'{{For multi|the drummer/singer of Genesis|Phil Collins|other people with similar names|Phil Collins (disambiguation)}} {{short description|British guitarist}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}} {{Use British English|date=April 2014}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Phil Collen | image = Phil Collen in Australia.jpg | birth_name = Philip Kenneth Collen | alias = One-half of "The Terror Twins" with co-guitarist [[Steve Clark]]: 1983–1991 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1957|12|8|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Hackney Central|Hackney]], London, England | genre = {{hlist|[[Hard rock]]|[[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]]|[[glam metal]]}} | occupation = Musician | instrument = {{hlist|Guitar|vocals}} | years_active = 1974–present | label = [[Mercury Records|Mercury]] | associated_acts = {{hlist|[[Def Leppard]]|[[Lucy (English band)|Lucy]]|[[Tush (band)|Tush]]|[[Dumb Blondes]]|[[Girl (band)|Girl]]|[[Man-Raze]]|[[Cybernauts]]|[[BB Steal]]|[[Tesla (band)|Tesla]]|[[Spinal Tap (band)|Spinal Tap]]|Delta Deep}} | website = {{url|defleppard.com/member/phil-collen/}} }} '''Philip Kenneth Collen''' (born 8 December 1957)<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.defleppard.com/member/phil-collen/| title=Phil Collen| website=DefLeppard.com| date=22 October 2015| accessdate=20 June 2022}}</ref> is an English musician who is best known as the co-lead guitarist for the rock band [[Def Leppard]], joining the band in 1982 during the recording of the ''[[Pyromania (album)|Pyromania]]'' album.<ref>[http://ultimateclassicrock.com/phil-collen-replaces-pete-willis-def-leppard 35 Years Ago: Def Leppard Replaces Pete Willis With Phil Collen] at Ultimate Classic Rock; by Martin Kielty; July 2017</ref> Prior to joining Def Leppard, Collen had performed with a number of bands in the burgeoning British [[glam metal]] scene. Outside of Def Leppard, with which he still records and performs live, he has been involved in a number of side projects most notably the trio [[Man Raze]], with which he is the lead singer and sole guitarist. == Early life == Collen was born in [[Hackney Central|Hackney]], London. He got his first guitar, a red [[Gibson Brands|Gibson SG]], on his 16th birthday, and taught himself how to play.<ref>[https://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/10-questions-phil-collen-606704 10 questions: Phil Collen] at Music Radar; 12 September 2014</ref> He played with several bands including [[#Early life|Lucy]], [[Tush (band)|Tush]], and [[Dumb Blondes]]. He left school to work as a motorcycle dispatch rider for a [[Typesetting|typesetter]] until his band [[Girl (band)|Girl]] got their first record contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jacksonguitars.com/artists/phil-collen-bio |title=Phil Collen :: Artists |website=Jacksonguitars.com |access-date=9 May 2020}}</ref> During his tenure with Girl, Collen's career began rising, spurred by the relative success of the albums ''[[Sheer Greed]]'' and ''[[Wasted Youth (Girl album)|Wasted Youth]]'', which allowed him the opportunity to play at more significant venues.<ref>[http://www.nndb.com/people/933/000091660/ Phil Collen] [[NNDB]]. 2009. Retrieved 11 January 2010.</ref> A young Collen can also be seen on the back cover of [[Deep Purple]]'s live album ''[[Made in Japan (Deep Purple album)|Made in Japan]]'' as the live photo was actually taken at the [[Rainbow Theatre]] in London, a concert Collen attended, and not in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://playadelnacho.wordpress.com/2013/04/06/how-phil-collen-ended-up-on-the-back-of-dps-made-in-japan/|title=How Phil Collen ended up on the back of DP's "Made In Japan"|website=Playadelnacho.wordpress.com|date=6 April 2013}}</ref> In an interview, Collen revealed that he was approached by [[Steve Harris (musician)|Steve Harris]] to join [[Iron Maiden]] replacing guitarist [[Dennis Stratton]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-11-03 |title=DEF LEPPARD's PHIL COLLEN Talks About Turning Down IRON MAIDEN Audition |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/def-leppard-s-phil-collen-talks-about-turning-down-iron-maiden-audition/ |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref> == Def Leppard == [[File:Manraze02.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Collen in 2005]] Before Collen joined Def Leppard on 12 July 1982 during the recording of ''[[Pyromania (album)|Pyromania]]'', he had previously been asked to consider joining the band during the 1981 tour for ''[[High 'n' Dry]]'' by [[Joe Elliott]] and [[Steve Clark]], whom he knew at the time. Despite this invitation, there was no need to replace [[Pete Willis]]. As a result, Collen stayed as a member of Girl === Recruitment and friendship with Steve Clark === After Willis was fired due to alcohol problems, Joe Elliott called and asked Collen to audition. He was asked to perform the solos on the songs "Stagefright" and "Photograph" during the recording sessions of ''[[Pyromania (album)|Pyromania]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nola.com/music/index.ssf/2009/08/a_conversation_with_def_leppar.html|title=A conversation with Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen|last=Spera|first=Keith|date=15 August 2009|work=[[The Times-Picayune]]|language=en-US|access-date=23 January 2017|via=NOLA.com}}</ref> [[Mutt Lange]], the band's producer, said to Collen, "just have fun on it, play some solos on it". "Photograph", "Rock of Ages", "Foolin{{'"}}, "Stagefright", and "Rock Till You Drop" were all songs that he played solos on.<ref>[https://web.musicaficionado.com/main.html#/collection/philcollen-1458187593913 Phil Collen Recommends...] at Music Aficionado; retrieved 2019</ref> He and fellow guitarist Clark quickly bonded, becoming close friends and leading to the trademark dual-guitar sound of Def Leppard. Collen and Clark became known as the "Terror Twins", in recognition of their talents and hard drinking lifestyles. By this time, Collen had also become noted for his trademark bare-chested stage appearances.<ref name="Collen bio" /> === Changes in lifestyle, death of Clark and ''Adrenalize'' sessions === In 1988, Collen quit drinking alcohol, which had developed into a serious addiction, stopped eating meat and adopted a generally healthy lifestyle. According to Collen, he began suffering from blackouts due to alcohol and quit when he realized that he was losing control of his addiction, which was starting to dominate his life. In contrast, Clark did not follow such standards and died due to alcohol abuse in early 1991.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/day-and-night/features/qampa-phil-collen-1762682.html|title=Q&A: Phil Collen|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=5 June 2009|access-date=22 January 2010}}</ref> After Clark died, Collen was faced with the challenge of not only dealing with the loss of a friend and bandmate but also with the burden and responsibility of the ''[[Adrenalize]]'' recordings. The music had already been written but Clark's playing style differed so much from Collen's that recording Clark's parts proved very difficult. While Clark's playing style was rhythmic, melodic and sometimes even characterized as "sloppy", Collen's style was technical and precise, leading to difficulties in mimicking the sound of Clark's playing style. Due to the aftermath of Clark's death, as well as the issues with the recording of ''Adrenalize'', Collen seriously considered leaving Def Leppard.<ref name="Collen bio" /> According to Joe Elliott, Collen did not want to continue in the band with Clark not being there. He said, "I'd rather be a plumber."<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Adrenalize |others=Def Leppard |year=1992 |publisher=Mercury Records}}</ref> Clark would ultimately be replaced as the band's co-lead guitarist by [[Vivian Campbell]], formerly of [[Dio (band)|Dio]] and [[Whitesnake]], shortly before the ''Adrenalize'' tour. This relieved Collen of some of the pressures of the "overkill" production style of Def Leppard, as well as the challenge of reproducing Clark's guitar parts for live shows.<ref name="Collen bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.philcollenpc1.com/bio.html |title=Biography |publisher=Phil Collen website |year=2008 |access-date=12 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103070102/http://www.philcollenpc1.com/bio.html |archive-date=3 January 2010 }}</ref> == Side projects == [[File:Phil Collen performing live in 2018.png|thumb|upright=1.2|Collen performing in 2018]] Collen has been involved in several side projects over his career, most notably the band [[Man Raze]], formed as a joint collaboration with former [[Girl (band)|Girl]] bandmate [[Simon Laffy]] as bassist and drummer [[Paul Cook]] from the [[Sex Pistols]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manraze.com/index.php?page=about|title=About|publisher=Man Raze official website|year=2007|access-date=25 January 2010}}</ref> Collen played lead guitar on [[Donny Osmond]]'s song ''Just Between You and Me'' in 1990. Due to his band disapproving of him playing on this song, he was credited as Rory James Collen on the track. In 1990, Collen co-produced the ''On the Edge'' album of the Australian band [[BB Steal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hardrockhideout.com/2007/06/01/bb-steal-on-the-edge-release-year-1991/|title=BB Steal – On the Edge (Release Year – 1991)|publisher=Hard Rock Hideout|date=1 June 2007|access-date=22 January 2010}}</ref> In 1991, Collen offered a song he had written, "Miss You in a Heartbeat" to the band [[The Law (English band)|The Law]], which was featured on the band's self-titled album. This album was the band's only release. "Miss You in a Heartbeat" was later recorded and released by [[Def Leppard]].<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p434252/biography|pure_url=yes}}|title=Biography|website=Allmusic|year=2009|access-date=25 January 2010}}</ref> In 1993, Collen executive produced the album ''Sublime to the Ridiculous'' for the band, [[Sheer Greed (band)|Sheer Greed]], composed of former members of [[Girl (band)|Girl]], an act Collen was also associated earlier in his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicmight.com/artist/gbr/london/sheer+greed|title=Sheer Greed|publisher=MusicMight|year=2009|access-date=25 January 2010}} {{dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> Collen has also worked in side projects with Def Leppard singer [[Joe Elliott]]. One of these recent projects was a tribute to [[David Bowie]] and [[Mick Ronson]]. He and Elliott also joined with [[Trevor Bolder]] and [[Mick Woodmansey|Mick "Woody" Woodmansey]] from [[Spiders from Mars]] and keyboardist Dick Decent to form the band [[Cybernauts]]. In 2001 they released a live album of Bowie songs.<ref name="Collen bio" /> In 1996, Collen performed as a featured guitarist on the ''Jeffology: A Guitar Chronicle'' album – a [[tribute album]] to [[Jeff Beck]]. Collen performed on the single, "'Cause We've Ended As Lovers" from the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guitar9.com/aguitarchronicle.html|title=Jeffology: "A Guitar Chronicle"|publisher=Guitar Nine Records|year=2008|access-date=25 January 2010}}</ref> In 2010, Collen recorded the song "Hard Times Celebrate" with rapper Bazaar Royale, featured on the album "The Ride."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyEg1MSiyoo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/ZyEg1MSiyoo| archive-date=13 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Bazaar Royale: Hard Times Celebrate|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Collen formed a blues project by the name of Delta Deep with vocalist Debbi Blackwell Cook of the 1980s group [[The Jammers]], which released an eponymous debut album in 2015. In 2017, Collen was featured on three tracks of the reunited [[The Professionals (band)|The Professionals]] album "What in the World."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deflepparduk.com/2017newsnov60.html|title=THE PROFESSIONALS Album Ft. DEF LEPPARD's PHIL COLLEN Out Now|website=Deflepparduk.com|year=2017|access-date=15 November 2017}}</ref> Collen joined [[Joe Satriani]] and [[John Petrucci]] on the 2018 edition of the [[G3 (tour)|G3 Tour]] in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|title=Joe Satriani Announces 'What Happens Next' Album + G3 2018 Tour With John Petrucci + Phil Collen|url=http://loudwire.com/joe-satriani-what-happens-next-album-g3-2018-tour-john-petrucci-phil-collen/|website=Loudwire.com|date=18 September 2017 }}</ref> == Personal life == Collen has lived in the United States for 25 years and currently resides in [[Orange County, California]]. He commented, "I'm almost a California native now." He has five children: Rory (born 1990), Samantha (born 2004), Savannah (born 2009), Charlotte (born 2014) and Jaxson (born 2018).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thegauntlet.com/interviews/1330/Def-Leppard.html|title=Def Leppard Interview|website=Thegauntlet.com|date=30 May 2008|access-date=21 January 2010}}</ref> He was married to Jacqueline Collen-Tarolly (1989) and Anita Thomas-Collen (1999). He married actress and costume designer Helen L. Simmons in 2010.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20402742,00.html| title=Def Leppard Guitarist's Rockin' Sunset Beach Wedding| website=People.com |author=Laudadio, Marisa| date=17 July 2010| access-date=9 August 2010}}</ref> Collen is a [[vegan]]<ref>{{cite news|author=James S. Fell|title=How Def Leppard's Phil Collen traded the booze for a better body|url=https://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-phil-collen-def-leppard-interview-20150627-story.html|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=14 June 2016|date=27 June 2015}}</ref> and has been a vegetarian for 35 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://therockstarremedy.com/phil-collen-of-def-leppard-vegging-out-and-coming-clean/ |title=Phil Collen of Def Leppard: Vegging Out and Coming Clean |publisher=The Rockstar Remedy |access-date=9 May 2020}}</ref> Collen is also [[Color blindness|colorblind]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mwcevNXi0s|title=Phil Collen – Rig Rundown|magazine=[[Premier Guitar]]|access-date=1 April 2012}}</ref> Collen has been training extensively in martial arts for over 20 years. He began his martial arts training in Kenpo Karate,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/health/la-xpm-2011-jan-26-la-heb-phil-collen-20110126-story.html|title=For Def Leppard's Phil Collen, making muscles is as important as making music|date=26 January 2011|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> earning a black belt. He also has studied kickboxing with [[Benny Urquidez]] and Muay Thai with Jean Carillo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ashnewell.com/photoshoot/phil-collen-jean-carillo-def-leppard-workout-sheffield/ |title=Def Leppard Personal Trainer Jean Carillo's Workout Folder |website=Ashnewell.com |access-date=9 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://teamrock.com/feature/2015-12-09/fighting-talk-with-def-leppard-s-phil-collen|title=Fighting talk with Def Leppard's Phil Collen|website=Teamrock.com|date=9 December 2015|access-date=9 December 2015}}</ref> He currently works out off and on tour with Eric the Trainer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZBfHm-76YQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/SZBfHm-76YQ| archive-date=13 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Famous Acai Bowl w/ Def Leppard's Phil Collen |publisher=YouTube |date=8 September 2017 |access-date=9 May 2020}}{{cbignore}}</ref> == Equipment == In 1989, Collen worked with [[Jackson Guitars]] to develop the Jackson PC1, an "ergonomically correct" electric guitar, although according to Collen, he designed them because "they looked cool", and they ended up having bad balance, as well as a "really weird shape".<ref name="classic rock revisited">{{cite web|url=http://www.classicrockrevisited.com/interviewsphilcollen09.htm |title=Rock of Love Bites: An Interview with Def Leppard's Phil Collen |publisher=Classic Rock Revisited |access-date=25 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214074021/http://www.classicrockrevisited.com/interviewsphilcollen09.htm |archive-date=14 February 2010 }}</ref> {{As of|2011}}, his live rig with Def Leppard consists of various Jackson PC1 guitars (some modified), all equipped with [[DiMarzio]] pickups, [[Floyd Rose]] tremolo units, and a Floyd Rose [[effects unit#Feedback/sustain|sustainer driver]]. Collen uses several [[Fender (company)|Fender]] acoustic guitars. Collen uses [[D'Addario (manufacturer)|D'Addario]] 0.13–0.54 and 0.13–0.56 gauge strings, and he uses steel picks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mwcevNXi0s |title=Rig Rundown – Def Leppard's Phil Collen |publisher=[[Premier Guitar]] |via=YouTube |date=15 August 2011 |access-date=2 March 2012}}</ref> == Discography == === With Girl === *''[[Sheer Greed]]'' (1980) *''[[Wasted Youth (Girl album)|Wasted Youth]]'' (1981) *''[[Killing Time (Girl album)|Killing Time]]'' (1997) *''[[Live at the Marquee (Girl album)|Live at the Marquee]]'' (2001) === With Def Leppard === {{Main|Def Leppard discography}} *''[[Pyromania (album)|Pyromania]]'' (1983) (tracks 1–3, 6 & 7) *''[[Hysteria (Def Leppard album)|Hysteria]]'' (1987) *''[[Adrenalize]]'' (1992) *''[[Retro Active]]'' (1993) *''[[Slang (album)|Slang]]'' (1996) *''[[Euphoria (Def Leppard album)|Euphoria]]'' (1999) *''[[X (Def Leppard album)|X]]'' (2002) *''[[Yeah! (Def Leppard album)|Yeah!]]'' (2006) *''[[Songs from the Sparkle Lounge]]'' (2008) *''[[Mirror Ball – Live & More]]'' (2011) *''[[Viva! Hysteria]]'' (2013) *''[[Def Leppard (album)|Def Leppard]]'' (2015) * ''[[Diamond Star Halos]]'' (2022) *''[[Drastic Symphonies]]'' (2023) === With Man Raze === * ''[[Surreal (album)|Surreal]]'' (2008) * ''[[PunkFunkRootsRock]]'' (2011) === With Delta Deep === * ''Delta Deep'' (2018) == References == {{Reflist}} == External links == {{Wikiquote}} * [http://www.philcollenpc1.com/ Phil Collen] official website * [http://www.manraze.com/ Man Raze] official website * [http://www.joekleon.com/defleppard.html 2006 radio interview] with Phil Collen * [http://www.thegauntlet.com/interviews/1330/Def-Leppard.html The Gauntlet interviews Phil Collen] in 2008 * [https://web.archive.org/web/20150722052948/https://www.guitar.com/articles/phil-collen-interview-def-leppard-and-delta-deep 2015 Phil Collen Interview on Guitar.com] {{s-start}} {{s-bef|before=[[Pete Willis]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Def Leppard]] Lead Guitarist|years=1982–present}} {{s-end}} {{Def Leppard}} {{Girl}} {{Man Raze}} {{G3 (tour band)}} {{2019 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Collen, Phil}} [[Category:1957 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:English rock guitarists]] [[Category:English heavy metal guitarists]] [[Category:Def Leppard members]] [[Category:Girl (band) members]] [[Category:Man Raze members]] [[Category:Musicians from Hackney Central]] [[Category:English expatriates in the United States]] [[Category:Lead guitarists]]'