Detroit/Clarkston, MI - Media Reviews

By TheRockPit

When this tour was announced, I knew I had to grab tickets. Def Leppard and Poison always put on a great show and the addition of Lita Ford could only raise the bar.

Lita Ford took the stage clad in a black leather jumpsuit, looking as good as she did in the 1980's when she hit the scene. The real plus here is that she sounded as good, if not better than back in the day. She tore through all of her hits from the 80's as well as several tracks off of her latest disc, Living Like A Runaway. The bonus was the way she commanded the stage and audience. You could see the vengeance in her eyes as she reclaimed what was hers. We have missed you Lita. The Bitch Is Back and I couldn't be happier.

Poison has always sold well and performed even better in Michigan. There seems to be some connection between the band and Detroit Rock City. Tonight was no different. Bret, C.C., Rikki, and Bobby hit the stage and didn't let up from the first strands of "Look What The Cat Dragged In to the final track, "Nothin' But A Goodtime." The guys seemed to get along great and played off each other. Rikki was full of stick twirling and tricks while C.C. made sure to grace us with the licks and solos we are familiar with. Bobby and Bret were all over the stage keeping the crowd pumped up. Bret's voice was in top form and helped recall several late 80's - early 90's moments for me.

Def Leppard is one of those bands that seem to transgress the ages. The venue is packed with fans young and old. There is a buzz in the air as the moment draws near and the band hits the stage. It has been a year since they last played here, but you would think it had been longer, as the anticipation grows. Next thing you know, the lights go out, the crowd goes absolutely ape shit, and the lights come back up with the band coming up behind the drum kit. Here we go on a rock and roll ride. Rick Allen takes his place behind his set; Joe Elliot and Rick Savage flank him and have a determined look on their faces. On each side of the stage stand Vivian Campbell and Phil Collen ready to lay their six string attacks on the crowd. The show opens with "Undefeated" and the guys don't let up. They pepper the audience with hits from their whole career, leaving no stone unturned. They also keep everything simple and play everything they can, omitting only one hit - and that is for the encore. "Rock Of Ages" closes the show and demonstrates once and for all how accomplished this band is. In the words of Joe Elliot, "If you don't forget about us, we won't forget about you." No truer words were ever spoken, as these gents did not forget how to please a Detroit, Michigan crowd.

By TheRockPit 2012.

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