Phil Collen

Philip Kenneth Collen (born 8 December 1957) is an English musician. He is the lead guitarist and former rhythm guitarist for the rock band Def Leppard.

• Playing in shows all around the world takes tons of energy. Being a vegetarian has made a huge difference. Not only is a vegetarian lifestyle healthier, it's better for the animals and for the environment. And no matter where you find yourself on the planet, you can always find a great veggie meal.
  • "Phil Collen: Vegetarian Testimonial," video ad for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (26 August 2011).

• Thirty-two years ago, I became a vegetarian. I always thought it was a bit weird eating dead bodies even though my parents said it was all right. But I saw "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre," and that did it. In the movie, they're doing the same thing to people that they do to animals, and so I gradually got off eating meat.... The health thing came way later. Veganism came four years ago, and it was more of a health decision.
  • "How Def Leppard's Phil Collen traded the booze for a better body," interview with the Los Angeles Times (27 June 2015).