Verona, NY - Media Reviews

Def Leppard Rocks the Stone By Mark Bialczak

The English band puts on all the prized trappings of a big rock show - On this tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their first album, the guys in Def Leppard played "Rock of Ages" as if they still really mean it.

The crowd at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino Event Center happily went along for the ride Tuesday night as lead singer Joe Elliott, guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell, bassist Rick Savage and drummer Rick Allen poured all of their energy into the hits that made Def Leppard on the cutting edge of the sound that merged the steamy world of hard rock and melodic hooks of sing-along pop.

The band, from England, put on all the prized trappings of a big rock show, including swirling lights, a busy video screen and a stack of extra amps on the stage that made sure the volume needle was pinned deeply in the red zone, just short of what it takes to make your nose bleed.

It sounded like the 1980s all over again, and the fans, ranging in age from on-the-retro craze teens to been-there-and-got-the-big-hair-to-prove-it 40s, sang along to hits that included "Foolin'," "Hysteria," "Armageddon It" and "Animal."

For a classy touch, Def Leppard served a pair of delicious covers. Elliott said the songs came from their young years, when they were the ones watching from the crowd. They treated Badfinger's "No Matter What" with total devotion and David Essex's "Rock On" with happy abandon.

Second man up Bryan Adams seemed to have an obsession with the spaces in the aisles on the floor. He urged fans to come on down to fill the "big, empty holes," much to the dismay of the security guards, to be sure.

"Let's get this party started," the Canadian declared - but not before he held up his four-piece band until enough fans had crammed in to make him happy. And after that, Adams and the band really did rock like the party had started.

Of course, with tried-and-true arena anthems such as "Summer of 69," "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" and "Cuts Like a Knife" to play in a row, the bash likely would have jump-started even if the fans had stayed in their seats.

Adams and the band have enough hits to headline on their own, and fans sang along and cheered for many, including "Run to You," "Heaven" and "It's Only Love."

In addition to Adams with his trademark rock-to-the-sky voice and the hot work of lead guitarist Keith Scott, a surprise star surfaced. Adams invited somebody on stage to join him for "Baby When You're Gone."

Nikki from Niskayuna jumped up with enthusiasm. "Do you know the words?" he asked. "Yes, it's my favorite!" she enthused. "Can you sing?" he continued. "Nope," she decided.

But sing she could, and with the confidence of a rock star. The crowd gave her a standing ovation after she joined Adams for some pretty cool harmony on the same microphone, not to mention some pretty close dancing in time to the song.

Opener Ryan Warrick charmed the early arrivers with a rough-but-ready-for-anything voice.

Warrick, from Belfast, Ireland, showcased work from his two albums, which were produced by Def Leppard's Elliott. With just his acoustic guitar, Warrick turned songs that included "God Only Loves Rich Kids" and "New Neighbors, Old Fences" into what could be called tough folk. Then he was joined by Leppard's Vivian Campbell on electric guitar, cranking "Waiting to Fly" and "Three Sides to Every Story" up an enjoyable notch. Warrick toasted the crowd by raising a cup. "A dry casino. That wouldn't work in Ireland," he said.

By The Post-Standard 2005.

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