Get Updates/News. Updates/News by RSS Feed. Updates/News by Email. Get The Community Toolbar. Get The Community Toolbar.
Def Leppard Tour History Fan Archive.

Media Review - Poison and passionate Def Leppard energize SPAC by Deanna Amore

That itch was definitely scratched by Def Leppard. The songs may be old, but the band surely isn't. They came out fit and ready, jamming through crowd pleasers such as "Rock! Rock! Till You Drop," "Rocket" and "Animal."

Even after three decades, singer Joe Elliott still has it, hitting the right notes and whipping the crowd into a frenzy.

Each band member had a chance to showcase his talent, including a Vivian Campbell guitar solo at the end of "Love Bites" and a bass solo by Rick Savage leading into their version of David Essex's "Rock On."

Drummer Rick Allen and guitarist Phil Collen also had their time in the spotlight, including an interesting camera shot down Collen's fretboard. "Guitar Hero" enthusiasts got a lesson on how to play a real guitar.

The best part of the show came when everyone except Allen made their way to the end of the catwalk for an acoustic version of "Two Steps Behind," followed by Elliott, Collen and Campbell doing a majority of "Bringin' on the Heartbreak" acoustically. On Elliott's "NO!" the band fired up in full again to wrap the song.

The rest of the 90-minute set featured more classics, including "Photograph" (complete with pictures of the band over the years), "Pour Some Sugar on Me" (everyone was singing), "Rock of Ages" and an encore of "Let's Get Rocked."

Their energy was so contagious, even those in the balcony were on their feet.

You would be hard-pressed to find another band so dedicated to its craft. You can see the passion on their faces as they play - and the broad smiles as the crowd responds.

Campbell said in a recent interview that the band may not perform in the U.S. again for a while, but on the eve of America's Independence Day, a little British invasion was just what Saratoga Springs needed.

By Deanna Amore @ The Saratogian 2009.


Media Review - The Review by David Malachowski

It was guitars, tight pants, big hair and power ballads times three in the pines Friday night, and as this summer as been going, the constant threat of rain loomed as the skies volleying back and forth from dark clouds and sun shine.

Del Leppard took the eighties by storm with trademark glamorous videos, and an enormous multi-layered sound that was equal parts the band, and equal parts legendary producer Mutt Lange. As can often happen, death, destruction and dismemberment followed, and the Sheffield, UK based band barely survived.

At SPAC, you'd never know this as a smiling barefoot Rick Allen bashed his drums (with one of the loudest bass drums ever), singer Joe Elliot swaggered and bassist Rick Savage looked regal in his military style jacket. Guitarist Phil Collen came out bare-chested and blazing on the guitar, his fluid licks fueled the night for sure. Guitarist Vivian Campbell (who replaced the late Steve Clark) held back, but held his own.

Though decades old, the songs sounded huge, from "Hysteria," "Photograph" and "Pour Some Sugar On Me, all were bigger than life , and not that dated. Slower tunes like "Animal" and "Love Bite" sounded like an enormous slow motion collision.

A cover of David Essex' "Rock On" surpassed the original in weight and conviction, soon Elliot, Campell and Collen took acoustic guitars out to the end of the catwalk for an intimate take on "Bringing On The Heartbreak." Well, until the full band crashed in on the last chorus. Drummer Allen (who lost his left arm in a tragic car wreck) impeccably kicked off "Rock Of Ages," Collen's nasty solo was a high point. In fact, he really was the star of the night, extremely on top of his game.

By David Malachowski @ Albany Times Union 2009.


Media Review - Pop-metal oldies given new punch by Def Leppard By David Singer

Def Leppard raised the show a few hundred levels. They make art of arena rock. The multimedia video screens, the lighting, the audio precision all help make the band larger than life.

Singer Joe Elliott totally commands the stage, and the guitar work less about the guitarists and more about the song - yes Phil Collen plays shirtless, but that doesn't reflect in his guitar playing. And the one-armed Rick Allen sticks to his job on the drum kit without theatrics, not to mention the jolt of electricity he brings the crowd when the spotlight is on him.

The 90-minute set led with "Rocket," "Animal," "Too Late for Love," and "Nine Lives." They played an excellent, creative cover of the '70s hit "Rock On," giving it extra metal juice for the final verse.

They unplugged for an acoustic sing-along with "Two Steps Behind," a let-down after "Rock On." They started "Bringing on the Heartbreak" the same way, but powered-up to finish the song with full electronics.

"Hysteria" didn't have its usual kapow, but "Photograph" hit the spot.

What started off as a decent night down the memory lane of pop-metal from the first two bands, Def Leppard turned into a serious night of heavy music.

By David Singer @ Daily Gazette 2009.