It wasn't even close. Def Leppard trounced all over Van Halen to snag a spot in the Ultimate Classic Rock Hall of Fame. The Brits conquered the Americans with more than 62 percent of the vote.

Along the way, classic artists like Motley CrueOzzy Osbourne, the Police and U2 were left bloodied and beaten in this latest battle to see who would earn a spot beside Rush, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, the Beatles and other legendary bands in our Hall of Fame.

Def Leppard were formed in Sheffield, England, just as the '70s turned into the '80s, and released their first album, 'On Through the Night,' in 1980. Three years later, they released their third album, 'Pyromania,' and they became stars overnight. The album went multi-platinum and spawned the radio staples 'Photograph' and 'Rock of Ages.'

But it was their next album, four long years in the making, that turned them into a powerhouse hit machine. 'Hysteria' stayed at No. 1 for six weeks, sold several million more copies than its predecessor and unleashed a couple years' worth of massive hits, including 'Pour Some Sugar on Me,' 'Love Bites' and 'Armageddon It.'

Despite some bumps along the way -- drummer Rick Allen lost an arm in a car accident in 1984 and guitarist Steve Clark died of alcohol-related respiratory failure in 1991 -- the band has proved quite durable, releasing a string of successful albums (1992's 'Adrenalize' also hit No. 1) and tours.

We welcome Def Leppard to the 100 percent fan-voted Ultimate Classic Rock Hall of Fame. Congratulations!

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