Thanks to reader Steven Stamopoulos for reminding us that original Def Leppard guitarist Steve Clark died nineteen years ago today. That means that a significant portion of our readers weren’t even born yet when he died, which makes me feel old.

Clark’s death was tragic and a colossal waste of talent – the guy who was a terrible alcoholic who basically drank himself to death (with the aid of prescription meds) – but there’s no denying that he was a driving creative force behind the incredibly awesome pop metal Def Lep made in the 80s and early 90s. Before he died, he co-wrote about half the songs on 1992′s Adrenalize, which was basically the last worthwhile album the band ever made. The only things that really changed following Adrenalize‘s release was the absence of Clark and producer Mutt Lange, and I’d argue that both of those losses really, really hurt the band. (Anyone who tries to defend Vivian Campbell is a taint-licker.)

Here’s Clark a decade before his death, when Phil Collen wasn’t in the band yet, Joe Elliot was still blond, and Rick Allen still had both his arms . I love this song, and eat me if you don’t.

-AR