(Classic Rock) Joe Elliott says Def Leppard's longevity is down to them working hard not to become a parody of themselves. The frontman says the band have lasting appeal because the members have passion and they've become better songwriters.

He tells Nuvo: "We exist, we constantly exist like the Rolling Stones, or even like individuals like Paul McCartney. It's a career, this is something we've always wanted to do and we don't really want to stop doing it.

"We never saw a shelf-life, as long as we enjoyed it, and as long we don't become a parody of ourselves, we can still do what we do which is make a collection of songs into an album. We are better songwriters than we were, we understand the process better, we can make records on our own and make them sound as good as any record we've ever made."

Elliott continues: "There are also certain cliches that we try to avoid. We've never been the kind of band that you'll see clamoring to be on TMZ, looking drunk and all hungover wearing headbands and sweat wristbands and all the 80s gear and all that kind of crap.

"We were what we were, and we are what we are, and I think a lot of the 80s bands are what they were. But, with us, you see progress. If you don't see progress, you at least try something different." Read more here.

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