In 1975 Elliott took an art class in which he “spent the whole term just making up posters for bands that I’d like to see or wish I’ve seen” He eventually also started making up band names, including Deaf Leopard.  His band Def Leppard have sold more than 100 million records worldwide and are one of only five rock bands with two original studio albums selling more than ten million copies in the US.  Joe told Smash Hits “I haven’t forgotten working in a basement store in a pokey room with no windows in for three-and-a-half years — eight hours a day.”