La Crosse, WI - Media Reviews

Def Leppard rocks on By Kari Knutson

The "Rock of Ages" came to the La Crosse Center on Saturday night as Def Leppard played its greatest hits in front of more than 3,200 fans. The band sounded great. And it should. Def Leppard has been doing this for 25 years.

"Women," "Hysteria," "Love Bites," "Armageddon It," "Gods of War," "Foolin'" - they played them all. The only question was which hit would come next. Def Leppard combined live concert footage with clips of old videos, photos and concerts — showing the band's long history.

They've survived the death of guitarist Steve Clark and drummer Rick Savage losing his arm in a car accident but always seem to come back rockin'. Besides their own hits, Def Leppard also played a cover of Badfinger's "No Matter What" and "Rock On" by David Essex off the band's forthcoming cover album. The La Crosse stop was the band's second to the last on this leg of the "Rock of Ages" tour.

"Let's make this special so we can take it home with us," said singer Joe Elliot. Def Leppard are masters of the power ballad, playing "Love Bites," "Promises" and "Two Steps Behind." Ricky Warwick opened the show, but clearly fans were here to see Def Leppard.

Generations of fans came out, some showing off brand new Def Leppard T-shirts, others showing vintage concert Ts from the "Pyromania" and "Hysteria" tours. Def Leppard has always been about big guitars, big harmonies and big choruses.

And they also know that audiences love songs they can sing along to, even if they are fun but ridiculous phrases like "Let's Get Rocked" and "Pour Some Sugar on Me."

By La Crosse Tribune/Lee Newspapers 2005.

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