home > tour history > 2008 > detroit > Media Reviews

Thursday, 9th October 2008
Back  

Detroit, MI - Media Reviews

Fans pack Fox Theatre for Wings' opener, Def Leppard By Brian Compton

And with that came Def Leppard, ready to rock the house with their new hit, "C'Mon, C'Mon." The crowd roared as the band began to play, with a video of NHL highlights playing behind the stage.

But for the fans at The Fox, the night was just beginning. Def Leppard wasn't about to send those people home disappointed, too.

After jamming out to a song from Alanis Morissette - a performance that was simulcast live from Montreal - it was time for the British legends to return to the stage. They had just one question for the fans in attendance.

"Detroit, do you wanna get rocked?"

Indeed they did. And with that, the band broke into one of their many hits, "Let's Get Rocked." It was time to forget that the Red Wings lost their first of 82 games. Def Leppard did a phenomenal job of helping the crowd do just that.

"That was kind of a bummer," said Detroit fan Elizabeth F., who declined to give her full last name. "When I first got Def Leppard tickets, I was kind of sad because I wanted to watch the opening ceremonies. But then I realized it was both (the concert and the ceremony), and I was very happy. It was like the best of both worlds. It was like a dream."

The dream continued for nearly an hour, as Def Leppard plays old-time hits such as "Photograph" and "Foolin," as well as hits from their latest album, "Songs From The Sparkle Lounge."

"It was an amazing show. It couldn't have took place in a better city, obviously. It was great to see the NHL step up and do something not only for the city and the fans of Detroit, but just for hockey in general. It was fantastic." - Wings fan Claudio Greco The highlight came at about 10:05, when everyone in attendance was treated to a tremendous surprise. While the band rocked out to the classic "Pour Some Sugar On Me," Red Wings forward Darren McCarty drove out on to the stage on a motorcycle. He wasn't alone, though.

The Stanley Cup - his fourth with the franchise - was riding shotgun.

"That was fantastic," Wings fan Claudio Greco said. "He's obviously a big fan. It was great to see him here with the Cup."

After performing a couple more hits - they concluded with the classic "Rock Of Ages" - Def Leppard thanked the crowd for such a memorable night. Sure, there are plans to make this an annual event for the Stanley Cup winner, but only Def Leppard can claim they were the first band to participate in NHL Face-Off Rocks.

Fortunately, they were in a city that rocks as hard as they do.

"It was an amazing show," Greco said. "It couldn't have took place in a better city, obviously. It was great to see the NHL step up and do something not only for the city and the fans of Detroit, but just for hockey in general. It was fantastic."
By NHL.com 2008.

Back

share this page:



get def leppard news

Stay in touch with the latest updates.




explore def leppard tour history
All News
Tour News
Album News
All Tours