Most rock fans are aware that Def Leppard’s Hysteria is one of the top-selling albums in history. Some are even aware that the groundbreaking 1987 release took years to make because of a series of misfortunes, most notably a car accident in which drummer Rick Allen lost his left arm. But aside from the band’s most diehard fans, few know the fascinating, almost impossible-to-believe backstory about the making of one of rock’s most iconic albums.

In honor of Def Leppard’s second Las Vegas residency—which will feature songs from Hysteria—we invite to grab your Aqua Net, slip on your jean jacket and check out five strange-but-true facts about an enduring pop-rock classic.

1. Anyone want a job? Def Leppard broke worldwide with their 1983 release Pyromania, produced by Robert John “Mutt” Lange, the man behind AC/DC’s monster album Back in Black. The British quintet wanted Lange back at the controls for Pyromania’s follow-up, but the burned-out producer wanted a break. A partnership with Meat Loaf songwriter/producer Jim Steinman failed miserably, as did the band’s attempt at self-producing. Desperate, they reached out to Lange, and in late 1985, he agreed to return on one condition: Everything recorded to that point would be scrapped.

2. Feet, don’t fail me now. Following his tragic accident on New Year’s Eve 1984, Allen began conceptualizing the custom electronic drum kit he would eventually use first on Hysteria … and he did it from his hospital bed. After nurses placed a foam pad under Allen’s feet to keep him from sliding down the bed, the drummer worked on double-foot tapping techniques on the pad, using his left foot to play the parts his left hand once played. Within months, Allen was back with his bandmates laying down tracks in the studio.

3. They needed a hit—scratch that, lots of them... Because of numerous delays and Lange’s meticulousness in the studio, by the time Hysteria saw the light of day in August 1987, the band had run up a bill approaching a reported $5 million. Translation: They needed to sell millions of copies just to break even—a prospect that looked bleak when the first single “Women” flopped.

4. … And the biggest hit almost never happened. After nearly four years, the 11-song album was finally in the can when Lange overheard lead singer Joe Elliott plucking a catchy riff on his guitar. Lange loved what he heard and ordered the band to turn the riff into the album’s 12th song: “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” Nearly a year after the album hit the shelves, “Sugar” was released as a single, quickly blew up on radio and MTV, and eventually became a rock anthem.

5. Play on (and on). At nearly 63 minutes, Hysteria was one of longest vinyl recordings in history. Turns out all that space was needed, as the album spawned an unprecedented seven singles. Those hits helped Hysteria sell more than 25 million copies worldwide, which helped the band pay its tab—and then some.

Planet Hollywood Resort 8 p.m. Sept. 1, 4 & 6-7, starting at $69 plus tax and fee. 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster