| Pete Willis | |
| Birth Name: | Peter Andrew Willis |
| Birth Date: | 1960 2, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Sheffield, England |
| Genre: | Heavy metal, hard rock |
| Occupation: | Guitarist |
| Years Active: | 1977–1991 |
| Past Member Of: | Def Leppard, Gogmagog, Roadhouse |
| Associated Acts: | Atomic Mass, Def Leppard, Gogmagog, Nightrun, Roadhouse |
Peter Andrew Willis (born 16 February 1960) is a retired English guitarist, best known as a founder member of the hard rock band Def Leppard. He was with Def Leppard from 1977 to 1982, when he was fired from the band and replaced by Phil Collen. Willis’s firing was due to drinking problems.[1]
He co-wrote many tracks and played guitar on the band's first three albums: On Through the Night, High 'n' Dry, and Pyromania, which was being recorded at the time of his departure.[2]
He was dismissed from the band on 11 July 1982, during the recording of Pyromania, due to excessive drinking that hampered his guitar playing,[3] and was replaced by guitarist Phil Collen the next day. Willis later recorded with the bands Gogmagog (with former and current members of Iron Maiden) and Roadhouse. Willis played Hamer Standard guitars almost exclusively during his tenure with Def Leppard.[4]
In 2019, Willis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Def Leppard.[5] He did not attend the induction ceremony, however.[6]
Willis married Lindsay Smith in 1985, and had two sons: Luke and Andrew. The family resides in Crookes, Sheffield.[7] [8] Willis left the music business. He now runs his own property management company in Sheffield.[9]