Phil Collen

Phil Collen — Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the life and legacy of Phil Collen, the English guitarist best known as co-lead guitarist of Def Leppard. Explore his early years, musical career, influences, philosophy, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Phil Collen is an English rock musician, celebrated for his virtuosity on guitar, his energetic stage presence, and his long tenure as one half of the dual-guitar force behind Def Leppard. Born December 8, 1957, Collen’s journey from London’s music scene to global rock stardom is marked by bold reinvention, personal growth, and a commitment to both art and health. Over decades, he has contributed not only to Def Leppard’s success but also to side projects, songwriting, and inspiring generations of guitarists.

Early Life and Family

Philip Kenneth Collen was born on 8 December 1957 in Hackney, London, England. His parents were Ken (a long-haul truck driver) and Connie (a homemaker).

As a young teen, Collen was exposed to rock music. When he was about 14, a cousin took him to a Deep Purple concert, an experience he later said “changed his life.” He pestered his parents for years for a guitar, and finally received a red Gibson SG on his 16th birthday, which became his first serious instrument.

Collen left school around that time to begin working odd jobs, such as factory work and motorcycle dispatch riding, while pursuing music on the side.

Youth and Musical Foundations

Though a “late starter” by some standards, Collen taught himself guitar and immersed himself in a variety of musical styles: rock, glam, punk, and more. He played in multiple local bands in London and the surrounding glam rock / hard rock scene. Some of these bands include Lucy, Tush, Dumb Blondes, and Girl.

In Girl, Collen honed his stagecraft and built a reputation. Albums like Sheer Greed and Wasted Youth gave him exposure and experience performing larger venues.

It was during this period that Collen developed a flashy, technical guitar style—melding precision, speed, showmanship, and melody. His influences included Ritchie Blackmore, Jimi Hendrix, Mick Ronson, among others.

Career and Achievements

Joining Def Leppard & the Terror Twins

In 1982, mid-recording of the Pyromania album, Def Leppard replaced guitarist Pete Willis and brought in Phil Collen to fill the spot. Collen was asked to audition by playing solos on existing tracks like “Stagefright” and “Photograph.”

Soon after, Collen and Steve Clark, the other lead guitarist of Def Leppard, formed a close musical partnership. Their intertwining guitar work became a hallmark of the band's sound, and they earned the nickname “The Terror Twins.”

Collen contributed key solos and guitar parts to Pyromania, helping Def Leppard break through commercially.

Peak Success & Challenges

Def Leppard’s success continued soaring. Their 1987 album Hysteria became a defining work of 1980s rock, producing hits like “Pour Some Sugar On Me” and Love Bites.

During the making of Hysteria, the band faced adversity: Rick Allen, the drummer, lost his left arm in a car accident on New Year’s Eve 1984. Rather than replace him, the band adapted; Allen re-learned drumming partially with his foot, and the band incorporated new drum techniques.

In 1991, Steve Clark tragically died (from a combination of alcohol, painkillers, and antidepressants). During the subsequent Adrenalize sessions, Collen played all guitar parts, effectively carrying the dual-guitar burden until Vivian Campbell joined to share duties.

After that era, Collen remained not only a guitarist but also a more central contributor to songwriting and band direction.

Side Projects & Collaborations

Beyond Def Leppard, Collen has explored multiple musical ventures:

• Man Raze: A trio formed with Simon Laffy (bass) and Paul Cook (Sex Pistols) in which Collen acts as lead singer and guitarist.

• Delta Deep: A blues project formed later in his career.

• Cybernauts: A Bowie/Mick Ronson tribute collaboration with Def Leppard members and others.

Additionally, Collen has lent guitar work to outside projects and has co-developed signature Jackson guitars, like his PC1 line, which was designed for ergonomic balance and style.

Personality, Lifestyle & Transformations

One of the remarkable aspects of Phil Collen’s story is how he reshaped his life and image over time. During the earlier “rockstar” years, he partied heavily, often alongside Steve Clark.

At a certain point, Collen quit drinking entirely, recognizing the negative toll it had on his health and career. He also adopted a vegetarian (and later vegan) diet, emphasizing clean living and fitness.

Collen is known for rigorous training—martial arts, weight training, discipline. He is also colorblind.

He relocated to the United States and resides in Orange County, California, though he still identifies as British in heritage.

Collen has been married multiple times: first to Jacqueline Tarolly (1989), then to Anita Thomas, and since 2010 to Helen L. Simmons. He has five children: Rory, Samantha, Savannah, Charlotte, and Jaxson.

Legacy and Influence

Phil Collen’s impact is multifaceted. Musically, his precision, flair, and dual-guitar interplay with Clark (and later Campbell) helped define Def Leppard’s signature sound—melodic yet aggressive, layered yet accessible. His solos on tracks like “Photograph,” “Rock of Ages,” and Bringin’ On the Heartbreak remain celebrated among guitar enthusiasts.

Beyond his contributions to hit records, Collen’s personal transformation—from partying rockstar to disciplined health advocate—provides a potent example of growth and reinvention in the rock world. Many younger guitarists cite him as inspiration, not just for technique, but for maintaining longevity in a demanding industry.

In the broader context, Collen’s willingness to shoulder major burdens after Clark’s death, to take on all guitar parts during Adrenalize, and to adapt with new bandmates demonstrates resilience and commitment.

His side projects and collaborations show his tastes aren’t limited to hard rock; he seeks variety, exploration, and creative freedom.

Famous Quotes of Phil Collen

While Phil Collen is less commonly quoted than singers or frontmen, there are several notable statements and reflections attributed to him:

“I pestered my mum and dad for an electric guitar for like two years, and on my sixteenth birthday … I got a guitar.”

“I always loved what it sounded like … after I saw my first gig, Deep Purple, it was all over.”

On his musical evolution:
“He [Steve Clark] brought the melodic, emotional side; I brought the technical, precise side — that contrast became part of what made Def Leppard’s sound unique.” (paraphrase of his reflections in interviews)

On lifestyle and health:
“I had blackouts. I realized the addiction was taking over my life, so I had to stop.” (paraphrase of remarks on quitting alcohol)

On stage presence:
“I perform shirtless because it’s part of the energy, the rawness, the connection.” (frequent rationale in interviews)

Because Collen tends to be more private and less media-centered, many of his quotes appear in longer interview transcripts rather than pithy quotable lines.

Lessons from Phil Collen

1. Technical skill + emotional balance
   Collen’s style shows that guitar playing doesn’t have to be purely flashy—melody, texture, and contrast matter just as much.

2. Adaptation in crisis
   After tragedies like Clark’s death, Collen stepped up and ensured continuity—this teaches resilience in creative endeavors.

3. Health is freedom
   His decision to quit alcohol and adopt a strict regimen shows that sustainability in a demanding career may depend on discipline more than indulgence.

4. Never stop exploring
   Through side projects like Man Raze and Delta Deep, Collen diversifies creatively, staying fresh rather than stagnant.

5. Partnership matters
   His dynamic with Clark—and later Campbell—illustrates that collaboration and mutual respect can elevate the whole band.

Conclusion

Phil Collen’s journey is one of transformation and musical excellence. From a teenage dreamer in East London to a world-renowned guitarist, he has navigated success, loss, reinvention, and longevity. His legacy in Def Leppard’s catalog is deeply etched in guitar lines and compositional choices; personally, he stands as an example of balancing rock and self-care.