Atomic Mass (band)

Atomic Mass
Origin	Sheffield, England
Genres	Heavy metal Hard rock
Years active	1977
Associated acts	Def Leppard
Past members
Nicholas Mackley Paul Holland Joe Elliott Peter Doubleday Pete Willis Rick Savage Paul Hampshire Andy Nicholas Tony Kenning

Atomic Mass were an English hard rock/heavy metal band from Sheffield, who formed in 1977 as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. The group's core members along with newly-recruited singer Joe Elliott would go on to become Def Leppard, who would eventually become one of the UK's top-selling hard rock bands.

History

Formation

Rick Savage, Nick Mackley, Pete Doubleday and Tony Kenning, all students in the same year at Tapton School in Sheffield, formed Atomic Mass in 1977. Pete Willis, a year ahead of the members of the band at Tapton and who played guitar, heard of the band and asked to audition. He brought along a friend of his, Paul Hampshire, who played the bass guitar. They performed a few songs with Rick and Tony and earned their places in the band, Pete replacing Doubleday, who had been on holiday in France at the time. Paul Holland briefly replaced Mackley, who had departed shortly after Doubleday was replaced. Paul Hampshire was also soon replaced on bass by Andy Nicholas. During this time, Atomic Mass played their only public show in Tapton's gymnasium. Their setlist included songs such as Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love and The Who's Boris The Spider. Holland and Nicholas were soon gone and the band found itself without a singer or bass player. Following a chance meeting with Willis after missing a bus, 18-year old Joe Elliott, who had been in attendance at Atomic Mass's show at Tapton, auditioned for the band as a guitarist. During his audition, however, it was decided that he was better suited to be lead vocalist. Rick Savage also switched to bass as it was deemed that Pete Willis was a more solid guitarist.

Def Leppard

In November 1977, Atomic Mass became Deaf Leopard, a name Joe had come up with while designing posters for a fictitious band for an art class. According to Joe, Tony Kenning suggested changing the spelling to Def Leppard, resembling the spelling of Led Zeppelin, though the band insists that was coincidental. The band went on to achieve international fame and success, selling in excess of sixty million albums worldwide.

Band members

Former members

• Nicholas Mackley – lead vocals (1977)
• Paul Holland – lead vocals (1977)
• Joe Elliott – lead vocals, guitars, backing vocals (September–November 1977)
• Peter Doubleday - guitars, backing vocals (1977)
• Pete Willis – guitars, backing vocals (1977–November 1977)
• Rick Savage – guitars, bass, backing vocals (1977–November 1977)
• Paul Hampshire – bass, backing vocals (1977)
• Andy Nicholas – bass, backing vocals (1977)
• Tony Kenning – drums, percussion (1977–November 1977)

Lineups

(1977)	Nick Mackley – lead vocals Peter Doubleday - guitars, backing vocals Rick Savage – guitars, backing vocals Tony Kenning – drums, percussion
(1977)	Nick Mackley – lead vocals Pete Willis – guitars, backing vocals Rick Savage – guitars, backing vocals Paul Hampshire – bass, backing vocals Tony Kenning – drums, percussion
(1977)	Paul Holland – lead vocals Pete Willis – guitars, backing vocals Rick Savage – guitars, backing vocals Paul Hampshire - bass, backing vocals Tony Kenning – drums, percussion
(1977)	Paul Holland – lead vocals Pete Willis – guitars, backing vocals Rick Savage – guitars, backing vocals Andy Nicholas - bass, backing vocals Tony Kenning – drums, percussion
(1977-September 1977)	Pete Willis – guitars, backing vocals Rick Savage – guitars, bass, backing vocals Tony Kenning – drums, percussion
(September 1977-November 1977)	Joe Elliott – lead vocals Pete Willis – guitars, backing vocals Rick Savage – bass, backing vocals Tony Kenning – drums, percussion