Lansing, MI - Media Reviews

Leppard, Adams rock Olds Park By Anne Erickson

Bryan Adams and Def Leppard have no doubt played to many packed arenas and theaters throughout their careers, but minor league baseball stadiums?

That's the idea behind this summer's "Rock 'N Roll Doubleheader" concert tour. The tour is reaching 26 minor league parks across the country, including Oldsmobile Park last night. That two '80s hitmakers can still pack 10,000-seat stadiums sounds questionable. But with passionate stage shows, both proved their nostalgic pop-rock is relevant 25 years later. Adams hit the stage at 7:10 p.m. In the '80s, the Canadian rocker skyrocketed up the charts with his melodic but rocking songs and straightforward musical style.

Dressed in all-black - along with the other members of his four-piece band - Adams played off the crowd, encouraging them to sing along to hits like "18 'Till I Die" and "Can't Stop This Thing We Started." He led them through the "na-na-nas" of "Cuts Like A Knife" and brought up an excited audience member to help sing "When You're Gone." Breezy vignettes like "Summer of '69" and "Heaven" fit the summertime atmosphere perfectly.

His most familiar tune? "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You." The '91 ballad remains his most popular single; the crowd swayed along to the chords.

Def Leppard headlined the show, kicking off at 9:10 p.m., playing fist-pumping hits "Action" and "Let's Get Rocked." Those who grew up in the 1980s no doubt remember the British band's "hair metal" - heavy riffs and soaring harmonies fused with acid-wash jeans and, of course, hair spray.

And Leppard still knows how to rock. Amid a colorful lightshow, singer Joe Elliott wailed; guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell toted dexterity-defying chops and blazing solos. The group dished out one chart-topper after another. There were girl-pleasing power ballads and wall-shaking hard rock tunes - "Love Bites," "Foolin'," "Hysteria" - you know the routine.

The group injected covers into the mix, such as Badfinger's "No Matter What." The songs are off Leppard's forthcoming album of all cover tunes, "Yeah!," set for release late this year or early next.

In the end, it was a night of good songs, good weather and great fun.

By the HUB/Lansing State Journal 2005.

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