Def Leppard Announce “Living With Def Leppard” Docu-Series
Bunim/Murray Productions, a Banijay Group company, AEG Live/AEG Network Live and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas today announced a new documentary series, Living With Def Leppard. The multi-episode project will take viewers into the world of iconic rock band Def Leppard, capturing the VIVA Hysteria! concerts which took place earlier this year at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel.
The series follows the band, one that has been together since 1977 and continues to perform to fans in sold out arenas and stadiums worldwide, both on and off the stage throughout their stay in Las Vegas. Viewers will witness the band’s camaraderie and spirit, which have kept them together for 35 years despite many challenges and temptations.
Bunim-Murray Productions and AEG Network Live filmed performances and documentary-style moments from the artists’ own point of view, showing a side to the band, and its members, unlike any ever seen before. It is the band’s story told by the band. The series also incorporates interviews with Def Leppard fans, giving them the chance to tell their story of why they hold this band in such high regard and how the songs take them back to where the memories began. The docu-series has the potential to become a signature series, which will showcase multiple bands, all experienced through a similar format and storytelling technique.
“The bands performing at Hard Rocket Hotel boast a huge following with dedicated fans, and it’s appropriate that we’re kicking off this series with Def Leppard, a band that boasts a long list of songs that continue to resonate with multiple generations of fans,” said Jonathan Murray, Chairman of Bunim/Murray Productions. “By taking viewers inside the performance we will capture the music and the personal stories of the band members, juxtaposed with the memories of their devoted followers. By bringing together these bands, AEG and Hard Rock Hotel, we’ve built a team that will deliver music documentary at its best.”
“AEG Live is excited to be a part of this groundbreaking documentary series featuring the legendary Def Leppard at one of the greatest and most intimate rock venues, The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino,” said John Meglen, President & Co-CEO of Concerts West/AEG Live. “This is sure to set a precedent for a new genre of TV custom made for the ultimate rock fans.”
About Bunim/Murray Productions
Bunim/Murray Productions is the leading producer of innovative entertainment content. The Emmy Award-winning company is widely credited with creating the reality television genre with its hit series The Real World (28 seasons for MTV). BMP continued to innovate with the first reality game show, Road Rules (MTV), in 1995; the first reality sitcom, The Simple Life (E!), in 2003; and the first reality soap opera, Starting Over, in 2003. Bunim/Murray’s programming includes Bad Girls Club, Bad Girls All Star Battle, Love Games and Best Ink (Oxygen), Keeping up with the Kardashians, Kourtney and Kim Take Miami and Total Divas (E!), The Real World and The Challenge (MTV), The Ruckers: Southern Royals (WE tv) and Project Runway and Project Runway All Stars (Lifetime). Bunim/Murray Productions has also produced films, including Valentine Road (HBO), Pedro (MTV) and the Emmy Award-winning Autism: The Musical (HBO). Bunim/Murray Productions has launched additional entities including BMP Films, BMP Digital and BMP Latin. Based in Van Nuys, CA, Bunim/Murray Productions was founded in 1987 by Jonathan Murray and the late Mary-Ellis Bunim, who were inducted into the Television Academy of Arts & Science’s Hall of Fame in 2012. The company joined Banijay Group in 2010.
About Def Leppard
With 100 million records sold worldwide and two prestigious Diamond Awards to their credit, Def Leppard–Joe Elliott (vocals), Vivian Campbell (guitar), Phil Collen (guitar), Rick “Sav” Savage (bass) and Rick Allen (drums)—continues to be one of the most important forces in rock music. Over the course of their career, the band has produced a series of classic groundbreaking albums that set the sound for generations of music fans and artists alike. The group’s spectacular live shows, filled with powerful melodic rock anthems, have become synonymous with their name. For the past thirty years the band’s concerts have become must-see events and have quickly made them an institution in the touring industry, as they continue to sell out arenas worldwide. www.defleppard.com
About The Joint
The Joint is a 4,000-person capacity venue that serves as a sophisticated, intimate and unparalleled entertainment destination. The Joint features seven Luxury Suites, a VIP Studio Level, state-of-the-art sound system, superior video system and a production package tailor-made for artist comfort. It has received numerous accolades including “Best Concert Venue” in Las Vegas Review – Journal’s “Best of Las Vegas” awards 2010 – 2012, “Best Music Venue” in 2012 Las Vegas Weekly Awards, “No. 1 Hottest Club in America” award by Billboard Magazine in 2011, “Best Live Music Venue in Las Vegas” by MetroWize.com in 2011, “Best New Major Concert Venue” at the 2010 Pollstar Awards, and “Best Live Music Venue” in AOL City’s Best 2010 awards. The Joint delivers unforgettable live music experiences with performances by both legendary and ground-breaking artists including Paul McCartney, The Killers, Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesney, Arcade Fire, Avenged Sevenfold, Rise Against, Paramore, Muse, Drake and No Doubt. The venue created the successful concept of rock ‘n’ roll residencies with Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits, Mötley Crüe in Sin City, Guns N’ Roses Appetite for Democracy and Def Leppard VIVA Hysteria! (spring 2013) as well as Tiësto In Concert, featuring the world’s No. 1 electronic DJ and producer Tiësto. For additional information, visit www.thejointlasvegas.com or call 702.693.5583 or 702.693.5000.
About AEG Network Live
AEG NETWORK LIVE is the industry‘s largest provider of live, digital and 3D entertainment, offering fans unparalleled access to the artists they want, when and how they want it via broadband, TV, radio, wireless, and theatrical. AEG Network LIVE has completed successful tour and album launch campaigns for renown artists including, Katy Perry, Bon Jovi, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Prince, Linkin Park, Usher, Garth Brooks, and many others. More information on AEG Network Live can be found at www.networklive.com.
About AEG Live
AEG Live, the live-entertainment division of Los Angeles-based AEG, is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performance. AEG Live is comprised of touring, festival, exhibition, broadcast, merchandise and special event divisions, fifteen regional offices and owns, operates or exclusively books thirty-five state-of-the-art venues. The current and recent concert tour roster includes artists such as Taylor Swift, The Black Eyed Peas, Bon Jovi, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, Justin Bieber, Leonard Cohen, Wisin & Yandel, Kenny Chesney, P!nk, Enrique Iglesias and Paul McCartney. The company is also currently producing residency shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas including Celine Dion, Rod Stewart and Shania Twain and is the exclusive promoter at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. AEG’s exhibition portfolio boasts the most successful exhibition of all time, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs, which has attracted more than 8 million visitors since 2005. AEG Live is also the largest producer of music festivals in North America from the critically acclaimed Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival to Stagecoach Country Music Festival and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. www.aeglive.com