Pete Willis
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Pete Willis (born February 16, 1960 in Sheffield, England) was one of the original guitarists for the British rock band Def Leppard until he was replaced by Phil Collen in 1982. He co-wrote many tracks and played guitar on the band's third album, Pyromania, which was being recorded at the time of his replacement.
Willis was a guitar enthusiast since his youth. He was a fan of Jimi Hendrix to whom he modeled much of his self-taught guitar playing style.
In his early teens, he formed a band called Atomic Mass with Rick Savage, Tony Kenning, and (briefly) Paul Holland. He met Joe Elliott in 1977 and invited him to audition for the band, which would later become Def Leppard.
Willis was one of the main songwriters of the band during their first three albums. His contributions are often described as unique and difficult, as it was written in an unusual key-tuning or with perplexing chords/fingering positions.
He was dismissed from the band during the recording of Pyromania due to a drinking problem, and was replaced by guitarist Phil Collen (formerly of British glam band Girl). He later recorded with the bands Gogmagog (with former and current members of Iron Maiden) and Roadhouse.)
In February 2003, Atomic Mass reunited at the HallamFM Arena.
See also
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