Joe Elliott plans to write original music with Ghost

After working on 'Spillways'

Ghost's Papa Emeritus IV and Def Leppard's Joe Elliott
Author: Scott ColothanPublished 28th Feb 2023

Fresh from joining forces with Ghost on a new version of the Swedish band’s song ‘Spillways’, Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott has confirmed his ambition to record original music with Ghost leader Tobias Forge.

The surprise ‘Spillways’ collaboration was announced last month when Ghost shared Chapter 15 of their ongoing video series on YouTube, which saw a gloriously cantankerous Joe Elliott sing ‘Spillways’ on karaoke in a Dublin boozer.

A few hours after the Meanwhile in Dublin video launched, the enigmatic rockers premiered the official audio of ‘Spillways’ featuring the dulcet tones of our very own Joe Elliott. The new version of the ‘Impera’ track is currently on heavy rotation on Planet Rock’s airwaves.

In an new interview with NME, Joe Elliott was asked whether fans can expect any more collaborations with Tobias Forge.

“It has come up in the last while, and I’d be more than happy to,” Joe replied. “Next time though, when we’ve both got some time off, I want us to actually find some neutral place where we can get together in a room with a little recorder, a couple of guitars, pen, paper, our brains, a bottle of wine and see what we come up with.”

He continued: “I would love to sit down and write a song with the guy because it would be fun. That’s our morning word, ‘Fun’. I don’t want to do it for a job, I just want to write together to see what we’d get. I want to play around and see where it goes.”

Elsewhere in the chat, Joe refuted the notion that rock music is waning in popularity.

“I’m in Mexico City where Def Leppard just played to 56,000 people,” Joe exclaimed. “Ghost are playing to huge crowds as well. Metal, pop rock, soft rock, hard rock, whatever-the-f-rock has never really gone away in the eyes of the fans.

“It comes and goes though. It wasn’t big in the ‘80s until us and Bon Jovi came along and kicked it up the arse. Then it went underground again, before it turned into grunge, then emo. Who knows what’s coming next.”

Last Friday (24th February), Joe Elliott was briefly hospitalised in Bogota, Colombia where he was treated for breathing difficulties.

With many fans speculating whether the show at Simón Bolívar Park on Saturday would go ahead, Def Leppard posted a video message from Joe assuring fans that he had recovered and the Sheffield rock legends would be performing as planned.

"Mini Captain’s log. February 25th, 2023. Bogota, Colombia, as you can I’m here,” Joe said in the 39-second clip. “(It’s) 5.20pm. We're on at 8. So I am alive and well. Little woozy, I'll be honest. Moderate-to-severe altitude sickness. I would hate to know what 'severe' altitude sickness is, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

“But here I am… Apparently the Internet lit up, so I'm here to put everybody that cares about it minds at rest. I'm here, and we're going on at 8 pm"

True to his word, Def Leppard’s World Tour show in Bogota went ahead and Joe performed the 15-song set without a hitch.

The UK leg of Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe’s World Tour kicks off with a very special homecoming show for Def Leppard at Sheffield Bramall Lane – home of Joe Elliott’s beloved Sheffield United – on Monday 22nd May 2023.

Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe then play a gargantuan concert at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday 1st July 2023 before playing Lytham Festival in Lancashire (Sun 2nd July), Dublin’s Marlay Park (Tue 4th July) and Glasgow Hampden Park Stadium (Thu 6th July).

Tickets are on sale from Planet Rock Tickets now.

A guide to all of Ghost's characters through the years:

Ghost’s Papa Emeritus I

Tobias Forge's Papa Emeritus, later known as Papa Emeritus I, was the Ghost frontman from 2008 to 2012 during the cycle for the band's debut album 'Opus Eponymous.' Pictured is Papa Emeritus backstage at Download Festival 2011. This is the first of two Papa Emeritus looks and features a red and black chasuble with upside-down crosses and a mitre with the black crucifix.

Ghost’s Papa Emeritus I

Papa Emeritus I – aka Tobias Forge – in his imperious live glory at Download Festival 2011. Ghost performed on the third stage (then known as the Pepsi Max Stage) on the Saturday.

A Ghost Nameless Ghoul

A blank-faced Nameless Ghoul dressed in black robes in 2011 during Ghost's European tour.

Ghost’s Papa Emeritus I

Towards the end of the 'Opus Eponymous' touring cycle in 2012, Papa Emeritus was tweaked significantly. Tobias Forge now wore white robes and mitre featuring an upside-down gold crucifix.

A Ghost Nameless Ghoul

In keeping with their leader's image change, the Nameless Ghouls also wore all-white costumes with new Bauta masks.

Ghost’s Papa Emeritus I and his Nameless Ghouls

Ghost leader Papa Emeritus I and his Nameless Ghouls band mates flaunt their new all-white guise in 2012.

Ghost’s Papa Emeritus II

In late 2012, Ghost welcomed their second frontman Papa Emeritus II. Featuring more realistic skull face paint than his predecessor, Tobias Forge's second Papa wore black and green robes on stage with a silver and white mitre.

A Ghost Nameless Ghoul

In keeping with the all-new Papa Emeritus II, the Nameless Ghouls also wore all black with Bauta masks.

Ghost’s Papa Emeritus II

A close-up at Papa Emeritus II's proper horrorshow face at Lollapalooza 2013.

Ghost’s Papa Emeritus II

Papa Emeritus II at Rock in Rio Festival, September 2013.

Ghost’s Papa Emeritus II ‘unmasked’

The identity of Papa Emeritus II himself Tobias Forge was still shrouded in mystery in 2014. However, for a 'Papaganda' interview with Vice magazine that year, Forge hilariously 'unmasked' himself as a bald Telly Savalas-like businessman with shades and a moustache. For some unbeknownst reason he also spoke in Italian. Comedy gold.

Ghost’s Papa Emeritus III

Coinciding with Ghost's third studio album 'Meliora', in 2015 Tobias Forge unveiled his third Papa to the world - Papa Emeritus III.

Ghost’s Papa Emeritus III

Tobias Forge tweaked his make-up for Ghost's Papa Emeritus III. His papal gown was pure black with a white mitre featuring a gold inverted cross.

A Ghost Nameless Ghoul

Ghost's Nameless Ghouls wore chilling silver devil masks for the 'Meliora' era.

A Ghost Nameless Ghoul

A close-up of one of Ghost's Nameless Ghouls in 2015.

Ghost’s Papa Emeritus III

In early 2016, Tobias Forge introduced a second more stripped back version of Papa Emeritus III. Appearing at certain events and performances, the look featured a different outfit, white gloves and no mitre. Only the trademark make-up remained the same.

Ghost’s Papa Nihil

On 30th September 2017, Ghost leader Papa Emeritus III was killed off on stage at Gothenburg venue Liseberg and his apparent elderly replacement Papa Zero (later known as Papa Nihil) shuffled on stage with a walking stick and breathing equipment. Ultimately, however, Papa Nihil wasn't the band's new frontman - he was actually the band's anointer (and a killer saxophonist to boot). However, in 2019, a young version of Papa Nihil appeared as Ghost's frontman in the 'Kiss the Go-Goat' music video, which was set in the 1960s.

Ghost’s Sister Imperator

Sister Imperator is the head of the satanic clergy of Ghost and is the former lover of Papa Nihil. She was first introduced in the Meliora cycle and the 'older' version of Sister Imperator has been played by two actresses.

Ghost’s Cardinal Copia

In April 2018, Papa Nihil anointed Cardinal Copia as Ghost's new frontman to mark the 'Prequelle' era of the band. Unlike his three predecessors, Cardinal Copia wasn't part of the Papa Emeritus lineage.

Ghost’s Cardinal Copia

Wearing a latex mask, a variety of sharp suits and gloves, Tobias Forge was a lot more agile on stage as Cardinal Copia.

Ghost’s Cardinal Copia and his Nameless Ghouls

A publicity shot of Ghost leader Cardinal Copia and his Nameless Ghouls in 2018.

Ghost’s Tobias Forge unmasked

A rare photo of an Tobias Forge without his mask at the 2019 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.

A Ghost Nameless Ghoul

A Nameless Ghoul in a black devil mask on stage in 2019.

Ghost’s Sister Imperator

A young version of Sister Imperator in Ghost's retro 'Kiss the Go-Goat' music video in 2019. She's played by actress Liz Fenning.

Ghost’s Papa Emeritus IV

On March 3rd 2020, at the last show of the Pale Tour Named Death, Cardinal Copia was anointed as Papa Emeritus IV. Note the subtle change to his face makeup. Pictured is Papa Emeritus IV in a publicity shot for Ghost's 'Impera' album in 2022.

Ghost's Nameless Ghouls

The 2022 incarnation of the Nameless Ghouls sees them don Star Wars-esque steampunk helmets and military uniforms.

Ghost’s Papa Emeritus IV

Tobias Forge's 'stripped back' version of Papa Emeritus IV on stage in North America in February 2022.

Ghost guitarist Chris Catalyst

Following the final arena date of Ghost's European Imperatour in Hungary on 18th May, English guitarist Chris Catalyst shared a group photo backstage of the entire Ghost crew including himself standing next to Tobias Forge. Outing himself as a Nameless Ghoul, he wrote: "Amaaaazing tour with our wonderful Ghost family," Catalyst wrote. "I suppose that's that particular cat out of the bag. So great to be doing this again. Playing this fantastic music with these brilliant people makes me run out of superlatives. X"

Ghost guitarist Chris Catalyst

Ghost guitarist Chris Catalyst masked.

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