Wantagh, NY, USA - Fan Reviews

Fan Review - By Catherine Cleland

Def Leppard rocked last night at Jones Beach. Thank goodness because Journey put me to sleep. Actually, that's not true. They were boring, but it was interesting to wonder why the singer was in the background not singing 95% of the time while the drummer was doing it all. Even the keyboard player was singing. Something's fishy there, but I digress. The bottom line is, Journey was dull and sorry, but Steve Auglieri or whatever his name is, just isn't a good frontman. He doesn't do anything. Oh well. The guitarist Neal Schon is impressive, the highlight of the show other than the drummer. How does he manage to sing those Steve Perry notes while banging away on those drums like a madman?! Hmmm.

Anyway, Leppard was impressive to say the least. Joe's voice in top form, not a sour note from him! Not much talking either. He made a few funny quips about a feather boa, an England soccer shirt and a bra that was tossed on stage, but other than that it was music, music, music. Much too short, but as Joe told me later we need more people buying the CD so they can give us 2 hours and ditch the "tag-a-long to fill the place" band. So as he said, let everyone in your circle know about us and get the new CD and we'll be able to fill the big places again (or something to that effect). I thought the huge wide screen was fantastic, a definite very cool highlight with old pics, some live shots and just fun, eye-catching graphics! At one point, there was 4 Joe's as he was singing in 3 places on the screen. Most of the Journey fans left after their band bored me to death, which was good because I moved up a row to the front! Great seats thanks to ILAA (though the package was disappointing). I would have gotten more great pics if the security guard hadn't threatened my camera! ARGH! Not a laser filled night or any complicated rigging, just a good, solid rock show. The stage was awesome with the two sets of stairs so the guys were mobile up there, I thought it a very energetic performance. All were smiles, Joe slapping hands (including mine, yea!) and kissing roses and I don't think Rick's stopped smiling since 2005! So good to see them in such spirits! The guys seem on the verge of resurgence, at least I hope!

Back to the music, it was a very Savage night with Rick's bass solo on Rock On and him just being on top of it all night. He was decked out in his white ensemble and speaking of clothes, Joe did a change or two sporting the leopard coat at one point. Phil, of course, came on shirtless, but we expect that now! My only grip was the set was too short, but the guys all agreed, but said they could do nothing about it. They all want back to that stage when they can fill an arena on their own! Rick got a nice ovation. I was a bit disappointed in the crowd as many of them were barely bopping. I on the other hand was in the front with my crown (thanks, Jen), my little British flag and my arms keeping the beat with Rick! A FUN NIGHT topped off with meeting the band afterward. A WONDERFUL bunch of blokes, very amenable and an all-around happy group! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, guys for a fun-filled, rocking and surprising evening ... and lose that other band!.

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Fan Review - By Phil

Mother Nature spent the weekend tormenting the New York region with the threat of downpours and thunderstorms, but she took pity on all 15,000 or so people at Jones Beach Theater last night and let the show go on, dumping only drizzle on us before Journey.

Seeing Def Leppard is always a pleasure, especially after the release such a wonderful treat like Yeah! I was also thrilled that the show was sold out, showing they still have a following. But I left the Theater last night feeling disappointed and frustrated.

Let me say first off I have no affection Journey or their catalogue. They have workable songs and don't suck, but I would never have spent $100 and trecked for 90 minutes by train to see them. So every minute Journey got to play, was a minute less for Def to play.

When Def finally did come on to play, they started with Hell Raiser, which only a few in the amphitheatre seemed to recognize or enjoy. They fit in 15 songs by abbreviated a few of them, like the last minute of Armageddon It and Photograph. I was glad they played four songs from Yeah! (Hellraiser, Rock On, NWM, Hangin on the Telephone) but disappointed at the tepid response. In fact, I must say, this is third time I see Def at Jones Beach, and the crowds there are the least enthusiastic I have seen.

But with precious little time (Def only played 80 minutes, which I think is a scandal bordering on a rip-off) they could have skipped NWM, Make Love Like a Man. I didn't miss Women, but I certainly missed Heartbreak and Foolin'.

They had a lot more energy than their usual high level. And they were playful. It was a great show, just way too damn short.

On the X tour, I payed $50 to see them at the 3,000 seat Beacon Theater where they played a 2 hours set. Last night, I paid $1000 to see an 80-minute show. I am starting to regret wishing they would make a comeback at the box office. I truly would rather see them play smaller venues on their own. Maybe they should suck it up and swallow their pride.

I am going to see the show again in Atlantic City, but I am not excited. A full on Def Leppard is a magical experience, but for a die-hard like me, this new coheadlining formula means I won't be going to see them 4-5 times a tour. At least I still have the DVD of that Beacon Theater show... Anyway, not to be too negative, it's a great show, and they're in great form, and they are making a comeback. But it's just too short, and the playlist is questionable considering the depth of their catalogue and the limited time they are giving themselves to play.

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Fan Review - By Michele

After a day of lightning, thunder and downpours, we finally made it to the show. I knew it would be a good night because when I walked in the one and only Mr. Ian Hunter was walking past me. He signed my ticket and was such a sweet guy. By the way, he loves the Lepps cover of Golden Age Of Rock 'n' Roll. First up at 8 o'clock sharp was Journey. Being from Long Island I knew they were popular here back in the 80's so I was curious as to how many of the fans were for Journey or Leppard since leppard were huge here. They played 80 minutes straight no encores. Their fans seemed to enjoy their performance especially the old stuff. Neil Schon is a very talented guitar player, Steve Augeri has a great voice but something was up when the drummer, (yes the drummer) sang about 4 or 5 songs. Ironically he had a great voice. Sorry but they just didn't do it for me. $700 for tickets and I wanted to see my boys already.

So at 9:45pm sharp the pa blasted out We will rock you. Then the lights went down and there they were! Looking and sounding awesome! They ripped it up with Hellraiser as the opener. Unfortunately not yet known by the crowd. Next up was one of my all time favs Let It Go. Which rocked as usual!!! I was singing and dancing along when I looked around I realized the crowd didn't know Let It Go!!!! What the ........? Forgive me but I have to be brutally honest, the Jones Beach crowd stinks and that's putting it nicely! I saw the Lepps in 2003 there and the crowd was just as lousy. It just bothers me when the guys are playing their butts off up there and sounding so good that Joe has to say, "Hey you guys in the back we can't hear you, get up." This crowd loved the favorites, PSSOM, Rock of Ages, and Photograph but had no clue as to the other stuff.

Just a note to my fellow Long Islander's, "WAKE UP." Def Lep as made some incredible records since Hysteria. Get out and buy "Yeah." It's not just Def Lepp playing covers it's their version of them which totally rock. Just listen to it. Although we've all played our Pyromania albums over the years until they were warped, it's time to put them away folks and step into the year 2006 and give their new stuff a try. (Sorry about the rant guys but I had to get that off my chest because they played a terrific show and should be commended on that.)

Back to the good stuff their performance. Sav played an unbelievable solo! Which the crowd actually appreciated. It was truly spectacular! Rick Allen smiled the entire show as usual. What was cool was the video screens they now use behind the stage not only showed old video clips and excellent graphics they finally showed Rick drumming with his feet. I still am dumbfounded everytime I watch this man play. He is so talented and never fails to amaze us. Viv and Phil sounded flawless! Joe's voice was right on. My personal favorites from the show were Rock On and Hanging on the Telephone. I must say I was disappointed not to see Foolin', Slang and Heartbreak in the set. I wouldn't mind if they took out Animal or MLLAM. Not that I don't love them but I've been a fan for 25 years and I would like to hear some other stuff.

The guys seemed to be having as much fun as ever on stage. Someone threw Joe a black feather boa onstage and he put it around his neck noting that he looked "fashionably gay." He told the crowd that T-Rex used to wear this and it was because of watching him and Marc Bolan that he wanted to be in a band.

It was great to see the guys sounding and looking so good, I enjoyed and appreciated every song. I do wish they wouldn't play Jones Beach anymore though because the crowd stinks. I also wish they would get back to touring alone, ditching Journey and playing those two hour shows we love so much, I'm heading off on Friday (my birthday) to catch the guys at the Borgata In Atlantic City. I will withstand the torture of standing up against the stage through the Journey set once again just to see my boys. PS, if anyone from the Jones Beach show plans on going to the Borgata, please don't go and ruin my birthday. Instead stay home and buy "Yeah.".

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