Def Leppard has joined the long list of rockers to re-record their biggest hits in note-perfect renditions, according to Ultimate Classic Rock. Frontman Joe Elliott shed some light on the new "2012" versions of "Pour Some Sugar On Me" and "Rock Of Ages" now available at various digital retailers. Elliott told MTV, "How can I put this politely? We were having a major disagreement with our ex-record label about the digital rights for our back catalog. We couldn't come to a mutual understanding that seemed fair for both sides. So we finally just decided to re-record all our hits. We started with 'Sugar' and 'Rock Of Ages,' and I think we did a pretty good job. It's hard work trying to recreate something you did 30 years ago."

When pressed on the fact that despite all the care taken, re-recordings never seems to sound identical to the original release, Elliott said: "We got the same sounds, the same key, the same tempo. It was a 100 percent forgery. That was the idea, anyway. . . (We were) very conscious of the fact that when people download our songs from iTunes, they want it to sound like they remember it."

• Joe Elliot told us that he feels lucky about Def Leppard's continued success, especially with the current state of the record industry, as well as the struggles many new bands face: "Nowadays record labels -- what's left of them -- are trying to actually get half of merchandise when they tour. It's like 'how dare you?' It's like two separate things. I can't see Roger Waters willingly giving up 20 percent of his T-shirts. Luckily we're not in that kind of bag. I just feel bad for the new bands. I mean there's the old acts that can sell records these days. But most people, if they don't have a second record or profit, they don't make a third record."
• Def Leppard is currently on tour with Poison and Lita Ford. Their next show is set for tomorrow night (June 22) in Irvine, California at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.

JUST OUR OPINION

• Hey -- we totally understand where Def Leppard is coming from; Squeeze recently did the same thing. BUT: These things never sound good. Most of the time people have already downloaded the "wrong" version before they realise it's not the one -- and that's the point.
• People are downloading the track because it's THE ONE, not KINDA the one or ALMOST the one. It's one of those things where it seems like good business -- but in reality -- it's anything but.

CHECK IT OUT: Def Leppard performing "Rock Of Ages" live in L.A. on June 6th:

Joe Elliott On How New Bands Are Treated By Record Labels

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