Kansas City, MO - Media Reviews

Def Leppard and friends By Timothy Finn

The theme this evening was power: power pop, power ballads and how a sturdy old song can generate enough power to shake a nearly full arena.

Tuesday's three-band rock platter at Sprint Center comprised bands from different locales or eras in rock music, but all three aroused the same kinds of responses from a crowd that was in the mood for some sweet nostalgia and raw reverie.

Cheap Trick opened the show, slightly before the clock ticked 7 p.m. They would play before the smallest crowd of the night -- about 6,000 fans were in their seats when they started. To many of them (us), their opening-slot status was a letdown, considering who followed. Nonetheless, they delivered a jaunty 45-minute set that included at least four songs everyone came to hear: "I Want You To Want Me," "Dream Police," "The Flame" (primo power ballad) and a jail-break rendition of "Surrender," a song that has sustained traction into another generation of young music fans who appreciate its 160-proof mix of energy, melody and rebellious lyrics. They also tossed in some tunes off the new album that fit in nicely with the old stuff.

Rick Nielsen was his usual pick-pitching machine, but I've seen him more animated than he was Tuesday night (he can be the rock version of John Cleese when he's in the mood). Robin Zander, though, never sounded better. Great set. Too short.

Poison followed, and it was evident from the start that this would be something of a rough go, mostly because Bret Michaels' voice was shot. The rest of the band did the usual hair-band, rock-star mugging and posing, and they sounded tight, but their lead singer's voice wasn't up to the task, even when talking/shouting between songs. (Although he came in loud and clear when he plugged his VH1 show, "Rock of Love.")

Their fans helped a lot, singing along to tunes they've heard 12 dozen times: "Look What The Cat Dragged In," "Fallen Angel," "Unskinny Bop" and their member in the Power Ballad Hall of Fame, "Every Rose Has Its Thorns." About half way through Poison's set, the place was as full as it would be all night -- at least 13,000 people, many of them up in the rafters. And the crowd was ravenous througout the set. Poison is still a big, big draw, at least around here.

Def Leppard came out at 9:30 p.m. and opened its 90-minute set with "Rock, Rock Till You Drop." There were lots of "rocks" in its set list: "Rock of Ages," "Let's Get Rocked," a cover of "Rock On" and "Rocket."

And they rocked. They inserted a short acoustic set into the middle of the show, which included "Two Steps Behind" and "Bringin' On the Heartbreak." On that one, they blew up the ending into the full-band, electric rendition. Nice. The show peaked with the one-two haymaker of "Photograph" and then "Pour Some Sugar On Me"; each was as taut and glossy as Phil Collen's six-pack. By the end of the night, Viv Campbell was shirtless, too. Let's just say this band as aged as well as some of its songs.

The crowd was pretty nuts all night, and the sustained singing and roaring had an affect on the band, which returned the applause and appreciation. Joe Elliot delivered an earnest post-show benediction, thanking the fans for the big, loud showing, and he promised to return. Whether they do or not, their music isn't going anywhere. These songs were built to last.

By The Kansas City Star 2009.

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