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Friday, 21st March 2003
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Pittsburgh, PA, USA - Media Reviews

Media Review - Short Takes: Def Leppard pleases fans with the tried and true By John Young

"We've got something to say," sang Joe Elliott as Def Leppard kicked into 'Rock of Ages' on Friday night at the Petersen Events Center. "It's better to burn out than to fade away." The borrowed sentiment from Neil Young came off as a bit ironic. While Def Leppard hasn't been reduced to the club circuit, the band is years removed from selling out larger arenas and charting hit singles.

But has relevance ever really been the point with this heavy pop band? Silly shout-along songs such as 'Pour Some Sugar on Me,' 'Women' and 'Foolin'' have always been decidedly out of step with the trendy and the important. They're regular rock songs for regular folks, only now there are fewer of them.

The big hooks in the band's songs have actually held up well, especially the poppy 'Photograph,' the deliberately plodding 'Bringing on the Heartbreak' and the propulsive 'Animal.' Tunes like 'You're So Beautiful' from the 2002 album "X" weren't as well known but sounded just as good. Elliott's voice is a bit worse for the wear, however, especially when he strains for high notes. The vocals were low in the mix, though, and only really registered when his bandmates would harmonize or shout in unison on the choruses.

Elliott pronounced Pitt's Petersen Center "much better than the old Stanley Theater" and vowed to return soon. "Until next time," he said, ending the show. "And there will be a next time." Perhaps. But resurgent radio interest or some new tricks wouldn't hurt this band that appears to be in the twilight of its popular run.

By Post-Gazette 2003.


Media Review - Def Leppard At Petersen Center By Mike Hamilton

I've just been to my first concert at the new Petersen Events Center on Pitt's campus. Some refer to it as "The Pete."

The first four songs were weak. Three of them I didn't know, and the fourth was a weak ballad. It was obviously time for a beer break.

As I was in the restroom, I said, "I need some 'Hysteria' songs. This stuff is terrible." Of course, I happened to be next to some Def Leppard freak who said, "No way, man. They haven't played these four songs in a row since 1982," or something like that. I was thinking, "That's because they are terrible."

So I make my way back to my seat, and they start to play a few good songs: 'Animal,' 'Women,' 'Armageddon It.'

I love "Armageddon It." The lead singer, Joe Elliott, shouts out to the lead guiter player and says "C'mon Steve", then Steve goes into a sweet solo.

Well, about two years ago at the Post-Gazette Pavilion, I sang along with the band and said "C'mon Steve" at the appropriate time. However, the band didn't say it. I looked to my friend and said "What happened?" He told me that Steve had died by drinking himself to death, and that the new guitarist was named Vivian. The new line is "C'mon Viv." It will always be "C'mon Steve" to me! I shouted it loud and proud at the "Pete."

Luckily, since Def Leppard aren't the draw that they once were, their t-shirts are reasonably priced. I went and got myself one.

Pittsburgh is the first stop on the second leg of their U.S. tour. That is significant because all of the tour dates on the shirt start with Pittsburgh on them. Nice.

Def Leppard tried to save this concert by playing 'Pour Some Sugar on Me,' 'Photograph,' 'Hysteria' and 'Rock of Ages,' but for me, it was too little too late. Once you start off a concert down a bad path, it can be very difficult to save it at the end.

I'm not agreeing with what Kid Rock said in the classic movie "Joe Dirt." His line was "Def Leppard sucks!" On this night though, they were far from their best. Do yourself a favor. Dial up their greatest hits CD, "Vault," crack a beer and save the price of the ticket!

By Pittsburgh Channel 2003.

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