Call it a matter of pride. Classic rockers Def Leppard may not mind singing about the Rock of Ages, but even after nearly three decades on the prowl, they still want people to think of them as hip cats.

"If you're perceived like a bunch of old grandpas, no one will buy into that," says long time guitarist Phil Collen over the phone before a gig in Memphis, Tenn.

Back in their big-haired, '80s prime, the rock outfit didn't have an uncool bone in their much-adored bodies. They were dubbed one of the world's biggest bands after the release of 1987's Hysteria, which turned out seven singles and sold 16 million of the 65 million albums they've moved since their 1977 inception.

The only spots Def Leppard ever had were at the top of the charts.

But now, they've been around for 28 years. And as astute businessmen, the Sheffield, England, quintet -- Collen, vocalist Joe Elliott, bassist Rick Savage, drummer Rick Allen and guitarist Vivian Campbell -- know they've got to keep up with the times.

"You have to follow suit," says Collen. "The market is more important than the actual product, as with anything. If you don't go along with that, then you just get left behind."

And what better way to keep up with the times than to jump on the reality-TV bandwagon? Like fellow '80s rockers from Moetley Cruee and INXS -- who recently nabbed primetime spots with Tommy Lee Goes to College and Rockstar: INXS -- Collen toys with the idea of a Def Leppard reality show.

"Right now everyone's obsessed with reality TV," he says. "The fact that we've had this great success in the past -- it's almost like an untapped celebrity story."

In fact, it's almost like a classic script for a VH1 Behind the Music episode.

As young, newly famous heartthrobs, the boys in the band were on a high during the early '80s MTV era, when success was virtually handed to them on a gold-plated platter. Then, tragedy struck. Allen lost his arm in a car accident on New Year's Eve in 1984, and guitarist Steve Clark died of a drug and alcohol overdose in 1991. But the band persevered.

"You take any family or any five people and that's what it's about. It's about births, deaths, marriages, divorces," Collen says. "The one thing that we can rely on is each other, and that makes it really special."

They're trying to share the feeling with fans, pouring some classic Def sugar on a younger crowd with their latest release Rock of Ages, a two-disc set boasting 35 of their greatest tracks. Earlier this summer, the band promoted the album in U.S. minor league ballparks alongside Canuck songster Bryan Adams, and at the Live 8 concert in Philadelphia.

"The reason for doing this now is the fact that so many people aren't aware of who we are. I think the record label more than anyone else wanted to re-introduce Def Leppard to the world," says Collen, who hopes the album will reach a new generation.

"It's the teenagers that really make something really special. When you've got that on your side, then it works on a bigger scale."

If teens are just getting to know hits like Photograph and Two Steps Behind, they probably won't recognize tunes from the band's next effort, Yeah!, a 1970s covers album set for release early next year. Its first single is a remake of Badfinger's No Matter What (also featured on Rock of Ages).

"Joe has been wanting to do this for 20 or so years," says Collen, adding each member chose personal favourites from acts like Deep Purple and Blondie, as opposed to rehashing megahits from the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin.

"We wanted to do something special, not just to piss it off."

Hardcore Leppard fans might not embrace a covers album, but Collen guarantees there's still a market for new material. And even if there wasn't, they don't plan on keeping mum.

"We've still got something to say. It's not just like a hobby. We want people for the right reasons. We create this stuff and we want to share our s--t with someone else," he says.

Get your share when Def Leppard hits MTS Centre tomorrow night. Classic-sounding Can-rock power trio The Tea Party open the show at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $39.50 and $49.50 at Ticketmaster.