Def Leppard lead guitarist Phil Collen is exploring his passion for blues in a new project, Delta Deep, whose self-titled debut is scheduled for release in June.

Delta Deep features Stone Temple Pilots bassist Robert DeLeo, with vocals from Debbi Blackwell-Cook and drummer Forrest Robinson.

The album is peppered with guest stars galore, including Def Leppard lead singer Joe Elliot, Whitesnake’s David Coverdale, Sex Pistols/Manrazedrummer Paul Cook, and Girl/Manraze bassist Simon Laffy.

The idea for project dates back to 2012, when Collen and Cook — who’s the godmother of Collen’s wife, Helen — got together to sing blues classics in the guitarist’s home.

Soon after, all three began to write original music, and recorded the tracks in Collen’s home studio. Others joined the project in quick succession, and Robinson’s suggestion to get DeLeo in the lineup was the fit the group needed.

“We really wanted Robert in this band,” Collen says. “He had the added firepower of being the premiere pioneer and most “badass bass player” to come out of the alternative rock explosion.”

He adds of Blackwell-Cook, “When I hear Debbi sing, I can hear the pain.  She’s an incredibly beautiful 62-year-old black woman who has been through things and she can sing through her pain. Not everyone can do that and not everyone sounds like Debbi.

Delta Deep will be out June 23.

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