RIP: Steve Clark of Def Leppard

by on January 08, 2008 | 10 Comments

Rest in Peace to one of my favorite guitarists that ever lived, Steve “Steamin’” Clark of Def Leppard.

In 1991, Clark was found dead on his couch by Janie Dean — his girlfriend at the time. The autopsy revealed he died from a mixture of anti-depressants, painkillers (used for a rib injury), and alcohol. There was no evidence of suicidal intent.

At the time of his death, he was on a six-month leave of absence from Def Leppard. The band had allegedly grown despondent over their repeated, failed efforts to help Clark and decided time off was the only solution. Shortly after Clark’s death rumours began circulating that he had in fact been permanently fired from the band giving rise to theories that this may have been the cause of his potential suicide. These rumours still persist partly aided by the band’s subsequent ambiguous comments on the subject.

Steve’s remains are buried at Wisewood Cemetery in Hillsbrough, Sheffield, near his family’s house.

Tesla, who opened for Def Leppard on the Hysteria tour, recorded a tribute to Steve Clark on their Psychotic Supper album, called “Song & Emotion (To Our Friend, Steve ‘Steamin’ Clark)”.

Check out Song and Emotion below:

The first time I saw Steve Clark was in the video for Photograph, from their Pyromania album. I saw him and Phil Collen wailing on their guitars and thought how cool it is that they can make such magic.

Remember Steve Clark today.

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  • jahdal mayo / musician

    stev you were the bes guitarist u were so good at melodies its such a tragedy that you died im 14 and found out about you guys about a year ago n i have poster and your songs ur a legend guitarist

  • http://www.defleppard.com/splash Marie Clark

    Steve clark was the best!!! I love him and I miss him so much!!!

  • jahdal mayo / musician

    i wonder what hedbe like if he was alive i bet he would still be rocking

  • David

    I would’ve hoped had he lived that he’d have pulled it together and gotten back on track with his music as well as his role in Def Leppard. Sadly I think that Steve had he lived may’ve been dismissed from the band given the track that he was on. It had been reported that he physically had found it harder and harder to play guitar at the time of his 6mo. sabbatical due to the shaking in his hands as Phil had recalled in an interview. More then likely given the fans love of Steve Clark, Def Leppard may’ve found it difficult to outright fire him due to their friendship as well. More than likely I think his sabbatical would’ve been extended through the Adrenaize tour having a temporary guitarist to fill in putting off the whole mess of dealing with a permanent replacement until quite possibly after that tour had he not gotten better. But that said this being purely speculative as that was not pan put and thus put to rest by his death. I believe that had he lived and pulled it together we would be enjoying today some of his very fine artistic spin on The Lep’s catalog, with more of his unique riffs, and melodic solos. No disrespect to Vivian Campbell who is an amazing guitarist in his own right, but Def Leppard would always be better with a fully functioning Steve Clark than without him. Take care.

    Peace To All

    I’ve been a Def Leppard fan since 1981, and plan on being a fan until the end.

  • Jimmy Dean

    I MISS YOU {STEVE} you were the best & to this day in my heart still are. R.I.P. my friend. we miss you.

  • http://www.steveclarkguitar.com Marie

    I love You and I miss You!

  • Marie

    I love u.
    I miss U!

  • Marie

    I love Steve!

  • STILLSMOKIN

    No disrespect to Vivian Campbell who is an amazing guitarist in his own right.but Sieve Clark death was the death of def leppard,they`re songs didn`t have the spark in them as when Steve was with them.i think he was what made this a rock n roll group,Steve we miss what once was with you there you made it happen.

  • Tsergent27

    I’ve been a fan of Def Leppard’s since I was 12 yrs old…I remember the first song I heard by them, the first video on MTV, the first poster that filled my wall..and I remember the first time I saw Steve Clark.  I had been in love with his music and after seeing him, I fell in love with him.  There was this presence about him and it wasn’t until he died that I found out about all the pain and sorrow he was going through.  It makes me so incredibly sad even today.  I still miss you Steve and I still love you!!!
    I also agree with what a couple of you said…he was the best and unfortunately the bottle took over his life and had he lived, he may not have stayed with Def Leppard.  I don’t like to think that would have been the case though…I like to think that he would have gotten some things straight in his life and stayed with them.  I also agree that even though Vivian Campbell is the best addition they could have gotten…he will never be a Steve Clark.  Def Leppard will always be the greatest in my eyes but they just don’t have that something special in their music the way they once did and I know why….b/c Steve made that music and with him gone, its just not there anymore.