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Def Leppard's Phil Collen Talks to PETA About Being Vegetarian

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Legendary heavy-metal band Def Leppard is as hot as ever with the recent release of its critically acclaimed album Yeah!, a hard-driving tribute to the glam rockers who inspired its sound. Currently in the midst of a whirlwind world tour, Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen took time out of his busy schedule to record a public service announcement (PSA) for PETA in which he sings the praises of a vegetarian diet. "Not only is a vegetarian lifestyle healthier, it's better for the animals and for the environment," says Collen, who has been a vegetarian for more than 20 years. "So what are you waiting for? Go veggie!"

Making the connection between living, breathing animals and the carved-up bodies on his plate is what convinced Collen to forsake flesh once and for all. "It started freaking me out, eating dead body parts," he says. "The whole 'Jeffrey Dahmer fridge' concept of things was weird." Collen credits his healthy diet with giving him the stamina to embark on a world tour as he approaches the half-century mark. "Playing shows around the world takes tons of energy. Being vegetarian has made a huge difference."

Collen feels so strongly about the benefits of a vegetarian diet that he has encouraged his children to steer clear of animal products too. His 16-year-old son, Rory, is a lifelong vegetarian. Collen's healthy and compassionate choices have also rubbed off on his bandmates: Drummer Rick Allen also shuns meat for ethical reasons and guitarist Vivian Campbell refuses to eat cows, pigs, chickens, or turkeys.

Watch Phil Collen's PSA and hear more of what he has to say about the rock-and-roll vegetarian lifestyle.