Adrian Smith, best known as one of the iconic guitarists of Iron Maiden, has revealed that he once auditioned for Def Leppard during a break from his longtime band. During Iron Maiden’s hiatus in the 1990s, Smith traveled to Los Angeles to spend a few days playing with Def Leppard as they searched for a new guitarist. The vacancy followed the tragic passing of former guitarist Steve Clark.
Although the jam sessions were productive, Smith ultimately felt the chemistry wasn’t the right fit and chose not to move forward. Def Leppard later selected Vivian Campbell to permanently fill the role. Smith’s journey came full circle when he rejoined Iron Maiden in 1999, where he has remained a vital creative force ever since, contributing to the band’s enduring legacy in heavy metal history.
