- D - Def Leppard

"I suppose a Rock's out of the question?" formed in Sheffield in 1977, part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (including Iron Maiden, Saxon, Samson, Girschool and Motorhead) Def Lepppard have produced a number of essential albums over the years.

1983's Pyromania (Deluxe Edition) includes the hit Photograph, it was followed by Hysteria probably my first choice Leppard album for Rocket, Animal, Pour Some Sugar On Me and Armageddon It. The Deluxe edition now also adds b sides and live tracks; Alice Cooper's Elected plus a Rock of Ages medley (Not fade away, My generation, Radar love, Come together, Whole lotta love)

Adrenalize (Deluxe Edition) opens with the live favourite Let's Get Rocked. look out for the limited edition double disc version of Slang the bonus disc is a live acoustic set from Singapore.

Yeah ! is Def Leppard's cover versions album. You'll get reviews ranging from the worst album they ever recorded to five stars... I'll go for the five star review. The band start with a T-Rex cover, followed by David Essex and throw in Sweet, Mott the Hoople and Thin Lizzy. There are a number of different versions available of this cd with alternative tracks even a bonus version exclusive to Wal Mart Yeah! Bonus CD With Backstage Interviews which includes covers of Iggy Pop's Search & Destroy and David Bowie's Space Oddity.

- D - Dead Men Walking

A supergroup /side project led by the Alarm's Mike Peters and a changing lineup including Pete Wylie (Wah), Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols), Kirk Brandon (Spear of Destiny), Billy Duffy (The Cult), Slim Jim Phantom (Stray Cats), Captain Sensible (The Damned) plus other guests - Mike Jones (The Clash), Lemmy (Motorhead), Derek Forbes (Simple Minds), Brian Setzer (Stray Cats) and Bruce Watson (Big Country).

Whilst primarily a live group, there are a number of excellent live sets available mostly sold via the bands website (seemingly offline at the moment), with a bit of digging these discs turn up on Ebay and Amazon.

Look out for Live (recorded at the Guildford Festival in 2001), Live at Leeds (2003) and Live at CBGB 's New York (2005).
The cds include cover versions from each band member including - Do you believe in the westworld, Spirit of '76, Never take me alive, Pretty vacant, Wildflower, Edie, Runaway boys, She sells sanctuary, Smash it up and Neat neat neat.

Well worth catching them if the band tour again.

- D - The Damned

Credited with releasing the first UK Punk single New Rose and the first Punk album Damned Damned Damned now released as a 30th anniversary special edition over three discs containing all of the classics - Neat Neat Neat, Stretcher Case Baby, Help and New Rose.

Despite many lineup changes the original base of Dave Vanian and Captain Sensible are still touring and well worth catching if you can.

1979's Machine Gun Etiquette [25th Anniversary Edition] also re-released in expanded form includes Smash it up (part 1 and part 2) plus bonus tracks Ballroom Blitz and White Rabbit (on some versions). The Black Album again re-released in deluxe format with an excellent second disc, contains The History of the World (part 1) an extended version of White Rabbit and many live tracks.

Anything released in 1986 included single release Gigolo, the double disc version also includes their hit single Eloise that was never included on their original album releases.

Before leaving the Damned, it's also well worth checking out the one off Give Daddy the Knife, Cindy credited to Naz Nomad & the Nighmares the lineup includes Dave Vanian as Naz Nomad and original Damned drummer Rat Scabies as Nick Detroit

- D - Bruce Dickinson

The first time I came across Bruce Dickinson was fronting Samson and credited as Bruce Bruce. Of course the airline pilot, fencing champion, author, and actor is best known for his two spells as vocalist for Iron Maiden. I'm sure I'll return to both Samson and Iron Maiden but for now let's look at Bruce Dickinson during his solo period from 1990 - 2005.

Releasing six albums plus a best of compilation and a triple live set there aren't really any weak albums. As ever start at the beginning with  Tattooed Millionaire including a few interesting covers; All the young dudes, Sin City, Black Night and the excellent Riding with the Angels (from Samson). The Chemical Wedding is a darker album the title track re-appearing on the film of the same name also written by Bruce and featuring a cameo appearence from him as well.

Alive is a triple live set featuring a live studio disc, live at the Marquee and a re-release of the Scream for me Brazil cd. There are quite a few duplications across the three discs but still a very worthy addition to the collection. Tyranny Of Souls was the last solo album released by Bruce, let's hope he finds time between Iron Maiden and his other activities so record another some time. Bruce can also be found on the track Into the Black hole on Ayreone's album Universal Migrator 1&2