Def Leppard enter "Sparkle Lounge"

Def Leppard's new album, called Songs From the Sparkle Lounge has been released. The 11-track set features the single "Nine Lives" with Tim McGraw.

They were introduced by McGraw's tour manager, Robert Allen, who's the brother of Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen. The song came together after McGraw made a guest appearance at the band's 2006 show at Los Angeles' Hollywood Bowl. During that same year, Def Leppard started writing and recording songs for the new album.

Singer Joe Elliot told us its title refers to the band's backstage area, which turned into a pseudo-recording studio: [ Click to listen if you have a backstage pass] "You walk down the corridor, and of all the rooms available, one of them just becomes the Sparkle Lounge. Name one of 81 venues that we did on the 2006 tour -- one of those rooms we had a mini-set-up with it. A kit, a backline and that kind of stuff, which got expanded when the crew started having a little fun with it -- you know, Persian rugs, sparkle lights, candles, incense. It turned into this very atmospheric little workplace."

Def Leppard will appear on ABC's Dancing With the Stars on Tuesday, April 29th. The band is expected to play "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and "Nine Lives."

On April 30th, Def Leppard will appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

The new single is now featured in the latest Guitar Hero video game.

Def Leppard and Whitesnake kick off a European tour next month.
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