Peter Andrew Willis (born 16 February 1960) is an English musician, songwriter and guitarist, best known as a founding member of the band Def Leppard. He co-wrote many tracks and played guitar on the band's first three albums: ''

On Through the Night ''On Through the Night'' is the debut studio album by the English rock band Def Leppard, released on 14 March 1980. The album was produced by Tom Allom. It charted at No. 15 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 51 on the ''Billboard'' 200. The album ...

'', '' High 'n' Dry'', and ''

Pyromania Pyromania is an impulse control disorder in which individuals repeatedly fail to resist impulses to deliberately start fires, to relieve some tension or for instant gratification. The term ''pyromania'' comes from the Greek word (''pyr'', 'fi ...

'', which was being recorded at the time of his departure. He was fired from Def Leppard in 1982 and replaced by

Phil Collen Philip Kenneth Collen (born 8 December 1957) 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. Prior to joining Def Leppa ...

. In 2019, Willis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Def Leppard.

Career

Willis attended Tapton School and has been a guitar enthusiast since his youth. He was a fan of Jimi Hendrix. In his early adult life, he formed a band called Atomic Mass with Nicholas Mackley, Rick Savage, Paul Hampshire, and Tony Kenning. He met Joe Elliott in 1977 and invited him to audition for the band, which later became Def Leppard. Willis was one of the main songwriters of the band during their first three albums. He was dismissed from the band on 11 July 1982, during the recording of ''

'', due to excessive drinking that hampered his guitar playing, and was replaced by guitarist

two days later. Willis later recorded with the bands Gogmagog (with former and current members of Iron Maiden) and Roadhouse. Willis played

Hamer Hamer may refer to: People with the surname Hamer: *Hamer (surname) In places: * Hamer, woreda in Ethiopia * Hamer, Iran * Hamer, Idaho, United States * Hamer, Ohio, United States * Hamer, South Carolina, Unite ...

Standard guitars almost exclusively during his tenure with Def Leppard. In 2003, Willis left the music business. He now runs his own property management company in Sheffield.

Personal life

Willis married Lindsay Smith in 1985, and had two sons, Luke and Andrew. The family resides in

Crookes Crookes is a suburb of the City of Sheffield, England, about west of the city centre. It borders Broomhill to the south, Walkley and Crookesmoor to the east and open countryside around the River Rivelin to the north. The population of the ...

, Sheffield.

Discography

With Def Leppard

* '' The Def Leppard E.P.'' (1979) (aka ''Getcha Rocks Off'' EP) * ''

'' (1980) * '' High 'n' Dry'' (1981) * ''

'' (1983)

With Gogmagog

* '' I Will Be There EP'' (1985)

With Roadhouse

* '' Roadhouse'' (1991)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Willis, Pete 1960 births Living people People educated at Tapton School Def Leppard members English rock guitarists English heavy metal guitarists Lead guitarists Musicians from Sheffield Musicians from London Gogmagog (band) members 20th-century English musicians