Credit: Kevin Nixon

Credit: Kevin NixonThe 2019 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony takes place tonight at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York,  Def Leppard is among the seven artists being honored, along with Stevie Nicks, The Zombies, Roxy Music, The Cure, Radiohead and Janet Jackson.

Def Leppard was eligible for induction for 14 years before finally being chosen, and frontman Joe Elliott admits that after being overlooked for so long, he initially had negative feelings about the Rock Hall. He tells ABC Radio that his feelings changed when the U.K. rockers’ fans made them the top vote-getter of the online poll ranking the favorite nominated acts.

“The fan vote thing kicks in, and all of a sudden we start taking more notice because we know it’s not this elitist thing anymore,” Elliott explains. “Although the thousands [of online votes only count as one vote on the ballot], [it’s] the one vote that everybody else…can’t help but take notice of because it’s out there for everybody to see on a daily basis.”

Meanwhile, Elliott reveals that founding Def Leppard guitarist Pete Willis, who was replaced by Phil Collen in 1982, won’t be attending the Rock Hall ceremony.

“[H]e’s about to become a grandfather for the third time, and he doesn’t want to leave home,” Joe reports. “[But] he’ll be mentioned on the night.”

Brian May will be inducting Def Leppard into the Rock Hall, and bassist Rick Savage says he’s thrilled that the Queen guitarist will help salute the group.

“Oh, it’s just amazing,” Savage tells ABC Radio. “Queen were a massive influence, Brian in particular, on me personally… [He’s a] very humble man, lovely man, and he’s not changed throughout the years… [W]e’re very grateful for him to step in and do the honors.”

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