Def Leppard Return to Stage as Joe Elliott Thanks Fans for Support

Def Leppard resumed their North American tour last night (July 27) in Cincinnati after postponing several gigs following the death of singer Joe Elliott's father on July 7. In addition, Elliott has posted a 'thank you' note to his fans for their support.

The band postponed a total of 11 shows and canceled its appearance at Wisconsin's Rock Fest as Elliott mourned the death of his father, Joe Sr., who passed away after a long hospitalization following a series of heart attacks.

Last night's gig, in a blazing hot Cincinnati, marked the group's first show back on their trek with opening act Heart. Def Leppard played a 15-song setlist, and Elliott admitted that the heat and the emotion got to him. The singer, who posted a picture of his dad (above, right) on the band's official site, wrote the following 'thank you' note to his fans:

By now most of you will know that my Father passed away after a long illness, on July 7th, aged 81. This is why some of our shows have been rescheduled, & quite frankly, why I might have been "off my game" recently, & for that I can only apologize. Going into the rehearsals & tour, even with a sick father's blessing, is a lot harder than I imagined it to be, & through all the jokes & smiles during interviews & indeed up on stage, there's an inherent  sadness & worry you just can't shake ... and as we like to say, you can't unscramble an egg, .... it IS hard to deal with, but you all know, we are the kings of getting on with it, so we shall prevail, .... which brings me back to the title of this piece ....

Last night was the first show back after the enforced break, the first show I've ever done without a Father, & can I say to the good people of Cincinnati Ohio, THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT THAT LITTLE BIT EASIER TO DEAL WITH BY BEING "SO" GOOD !!! ... I'll admit, I ran out of gas last night, by 'Photograph' I had nothing left to give ... it WAS emotional, yes, but it was over 100 degrees on stage too, which didn't help either, but you guys carried me over the last part of the show on a wave of goodwill that I will never forget !! I had to get the first show, wherever it might have been, out of the way, to help me move on as it were, & after experiencing a reception like we did last night I wouldn't have wanted it anywhere else !!! .... I hope the rest of the shows are as good, and I'm sure they will be, but for now, last night emotionally at least has helped my through the hardest few weeks of my life, & I thank you all for that.

Also, I thank everyone who has sent condolence messages to my Mum and me, mainly through the Planet Rock account, way too many to reply to, so please take this as a great big THANK YOU !! ... my old man would be well proud !!! ...  as he was when I photographed him sat on Rick's Kit at the Don Valley Stadium gig back in 1993, the photograph below is something I thought I'd like to share with you all .....

Once again, thank you all so very much for your support over these last few very difficult weeks ...

Love & peace,
Joe Elliott

Watch Def Leppard Perform 'Rock of Ages' Earlier This Year on 'Lopez Tonight'