by Luca DePalo, Contributing Blogger
Single Review of Def Leppard: “Heroes (2026 Mix)”
Decades after David Bowie released the iconic single and album “Heroes” in 1977, one of the world’s best-selling rock groups of our generation, Def Leppard, has released a fresh new cover of the track from their upcoming Volume 4 box set.
Unlike my usual posts involving writing articles about local shows, this will be my first of many music reviews on the site, and I couldn’t think of a better group to have it be about than these guys. Still led by founding members Joe Elliott (lead vocals) and Rick Savage (bass), Leppard’s lineup has remained the same since 1992, with Rick Allen (drums), Phil Collen (lead guitar) and Vivian Campbell (rhythm guitar).
The note-perfect rendition of Bowie’s timeless classic brings a fresh perspective to a track which I consider one of the most recognizable songs in rock history. While it still remains faithful to the original’s emotional foundation, Def Leppard put its own signature touch on the track, showcasing the band’s arena-rock sound and the unmistakable vocal delivery from Joe Elliott.
Interestingly enough, this isn’t an entirely new recording for longtime fans of the band. Last year I had seen them live in Connecticut at the Mohegan Sun Arena, where the cover was played over the PA speakers before kicking off the show (and also even performed as a snippet during an extended version of their hit “Hysteria”). I didn’t think much of it, but upon researching it, they’ve actually been playing the song at shows like that since 2022!
Looking ahead to 2027, the band will be hitting the road across North America for a massive 45-date tour, (oddly) co-headlining with the Goo Goo Dolls, alongside special guests The Struts. Kicking off in March, the tour will visit New England for a show in Boston and one in Uncasville, where I had previously seen the band.
Overall, it’s a fine tribute to Bowie, one of rock and roll’s most influential artists, while also demonstrating the group’s appreciation – especially from Joe Elliott – for Bowie‘s musical catalog, which they have covered many times in the past, like their versions of “Ziggy Stardust” and “Space Oddity.”
