Def Leppard News - Def Leppard Remember Steve Clark 28 Years On In Tacoma (Show Report)

Def Leppard Remember Steve Clark 28 Years On In Tacoma (Show Report)

Sunday, 2nd October 2016

Def Leppard 2016.
Pic By Niki Tschirgi

Def Leppard played a 2016 Summer Tour show last night in Tacoma, WA with 17 songs performed.

The show took place at the 23,000 capacity Tacoma Dome.

The band's first time in Tacoma since 27th October 1988 on the Hysteria tour.

The third show the band have played in Tacoma and third time at this venue.

The first visit to Tacoma was on 1st December 1987 for an In The Round show on the Hysteria tour.

The show was attended by 11,499 fans with the arena capacity at 25,000. The total gross was $196,718.

Tesla were also the support band on that night as the band entered the third month of the US Hysteria tour using their new stage that had been unveiled on 1st October 1987 in Glens Falls, NY.

After a hugely successful 14 month world tour, with almost 10 months worth of North American shows, they returned to Tacoma to end the tour.

The second show took place on 27th October 1988 when the Hysteria tour ended and Steve Clark would take part in his last full live show with Def Leppard.

By this time all shows were sold out months in advance and this was the band's largest indoor audience of that tour.

It was attended by 26,962 fans which was also the new higher capacity. Ticket's cost $18.50 and the total gross was $494,579. A $300,000 improvement on the 1987 show.

That show remains the biggest indoor audience for a Def Leppard headline arena show in North America. Only eclipsed by the one-off Houston Rodeo show of March 2001.

L.A. Guns were the support act featuring Phil Lewis on lead vocals from Phil's old band Girl.

Last night's show was an emotional return to the venue for the band after 28 years. Fittingly Steve's instrumental 'Switch 625' was played for the very first time in Tacoma having not featured during the 1987/1988 tour.

Joe referenced this fact last night during his weekly Planet Rock radio show and during the concert. Read his quotes below.

This venue is also where Bon Jovi filmed their 'Lay Your Hands On Me' video in 1989.

No changes were made to the now usual 17 song setlist.

Two 'Hysteria' album songs were played here for the first time. Including 'Armageddon It' which was not played in 1987 and was out of the setlist by the time they came back in 1988.

Phil Collen played with Tesla again on 'Save That Goodness'.

A local Sheffield fan posted a new photo of Steve's grave online earlier today which is shown below.

Watch some Fan Videos from the show here.

Periscope Videos

One

Two

(Click on account names for more videos)

The Joe Elliott Show - 1st October 2016 Quotes

"Now Tacoma holds a very, very distinct place in the heart of Def Leppard because it's the venue where Steve Clark played his last ever gig for Def Leppard in 1988. More on that later on."

"You are listening to the Joe Elliott show on Planet Rock. This week coming to you all the way from Tacoma in Washington. It's time for a little break and when we come back. Were gonna honour the memory of the much loved and missed Steve Clark."

"And before that from the 1987 album Hysteria we heard Def Leppard. Acknowledging, celebrating, remembering the memories and good times of one Mr. Steve Maynard Clark. Who played his last ever gig with Def Leppard at the Tacoma Dome in 1988 where we play once again tonight. We heard the song Gods Of War."

Joe Elliott - Vivian Campbell/Armageddon It Intro

"Oh yeah. Somebody is smoking something strange. I was gonna say something very important but I've forgotten what it was. Oh right yeah. Look who's here. (drum beat). No, later on dear stop with your jazz shit man. No this boy run away from home 35 years ago this year to join the wacky rock and roll circus that we're all living in. His home country being Northern Ireland. He is the boy who puts the fast in Belfast. Ladies and Gentleman can you make a lot of noise please. I said can you make a lot of noise please for a very happy and healthy Vivian Campbell!."

Joe Elliott - Rick Savage/Rock On Intro (Partial)

"Thank you. Thank you very much. So here we all are again. It's been a while. the last gig Steve Clark ever played was in this building. Let's give some love to Steve Clark. That was 1988 which is 28 years ago. Wow holy shit. But look at this. Look at all these people."

"Of course we can take you back even further than that 'cause we've been coming to this area of the world for 36 years. With a welcome like we got tonight. That's why we keep coming back."

Def Leppard 2016.
Screenshot by dltourhistory

Joe Elliott - Pre-Rock Of Ages Speech

"Thank you very much. Is it really 28 years since we last played this place. Holy shit man. Way too long. Let's not leave it too long next time. Can we do this again one day?. Show some love for Tesla will you please who started the night off. And REO Speedwagon who drive it on. I mentioned earlier that this was the last place Steve Clark ever played. Love once again to Steve, who didn't make it. We love you Steve."

"And how about some love for this boy at the back who did make it. Stand up Rick Allen!. And as always he will introduce this one for ya."

Joe Elliott - End Of Show Speech

"Tacoma, Washington. Thanks for having us, thanks for coming, thanks for being here. We'll see you next time. Goodnight."

"Unbelievable. Thank you so much. It's been a real pleasure. Thank you. Until next time and there will be a next time!. Dos us a big favour yeah. Don't forget us and we won't forget you. Goodnight!."

View the current Setlist Statistics in the next news update.

The next show takes place on 4th October in Omaha, NE.

Def Leppard World Tour 2016 - Show #53 Tacoma, WA Setlist

00 - Let's Go Intro (PA)
01 - Let's Go