THE SPONTANIETY OF STEVE CLARK

“The solos don’t always stay the same live; it becomes much more spontaneous, which is, after all, what people want when they go to see a live band.” ~ STEVE CLARK

(International Musician And Recording World, March 1983).

The dictionary defines Spontaneous as: acting or done or occurring without external cause; automatic; instinctive, natural, unconstrained. Happening naturally and without being planned. (Spontaneity)

Another of Steve’s qualities was his spontaneity when playing, especially on live lead work.

Examples include the beautifully executed ride-out solo for Photograph (see video clip below), and his solos on Die Hard The Hunter, and Armageddon It. These differ slightly from the album versions – sometimes because of the way they are composed for the record – and he’d demonstrate this by being spontaneous, producing some wonderful creative improvisation without really thinking about it. And with Steve’s great musical knowledge and ability he’d instinctively know the right notes to play a beautiful melodic solo that would compliment the song perfectly every time.

PHOTOGRAPH ride-out solo by Steve Clark:

Video clip from Def Leppard In The Round In Your Face – Live 1988 | ℗ & © Bludgeon Riffola Ltd.

Steve Gett for Sounds Guitar Heroes, July 1983: How much of your lead work is spontaneous?

STEVE CLARK: “On the whole I’d say that about fifty per cent of it is down to spontaneity but some things like ‘Bringin’ On The Heartbreak’ need a bit more thought behind them because of the nature of the song.”