35 Years Ago DEF LEPPARD's JOE ELLIOTT Performs Cleveland Rocks With HUNTER/RONSON

Wednesday, 15th February 2024

Joe Elliott 1989

Def Leppard singer Joe Elliott performed with The Hunter/Ronson Band in London, England on this day in 1989 with video available.

The show took place at the Dominion Theatre.

This was one of Joe's first times (and possibly the first time) on stage with his heroes.

Hunter/Ronson Show 1989

On 15th February 1989 The Hunter/Ronson Band performed a show on their UK/European tour in London.

The first of two nights at the Dominion Theatre saw a special guest appear on the encore.

Joe sang with Ian and Mick on one of Ian's solo songs 'Cleveland Rocks' and also the start of 'All The Young Dudes'.

He would later cover the other version of this song called 'England Rocks' in 2010 with his side band Down 'n' Outz.

BBC Radio Broadcast/Concert Film

The show was recorded and filmed by the BBC with the main 13 song set broadcast on 20th January 1990 for an In Concert special on Radio 1.

This broadcast did not include the encore which Joe was a part of but he is featured in the film.

The radio show was timed to coincide with the Hunter/Ronson studio album 'YUI Orta' which was released in October 1989 with songs from it featured at this show.

The film was never shown on TV but a slightly worn copy of it is on YouTube and can be viewed via the Playlist linked below.

Joe's part starts at 1:25:50 in the video when 'Cleveland Rocks' begins and he comes on stage during the song at 1:27:45.

He sings a few lines and also backing vocals.

The video skips over the first half of 'All The Young Dudes' so he is only shown during the first song.

Joe would go on to perform with Ian and Mick again in Cleveland, OH itself in November 1989 at a benefit for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame building.

Def Leppard UK Promo

Def Leppard had played The Brits awards at the Royal Albert Hall on 13th February and were still promoting the 'Rocket' single in the UK.

Joe also taped an appearance earlier in the day on a very famous UK TV show with the rest of the band (repeated on BBC Four tomorrow night...).

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Hunter/Ronson February 1989 - Photo Gallery

Hunter/Ronson 15th February 1989 Setlist

01 - Once Bitten Twice Shy
02 - How Much More Can I Take
03 - Beg A Little Love
04 - Following In Your Footsteps
05 - Just Another Night
06 - Sweet Dreamer
07 - (Give Me Back My) Wings
08 - Standin' In My Light
09 - Bastard
10 - The Loner
11 - You're Never Too Old To Hit The Big Time
12 - All The Way From Memphis
13 - Irene Wilde

14 - Cleveland Rocks - (Featuring Joe Elliott)
15 - All The Young Dudes - (Featuring Joe Elliott)
16 - I Wish I Was Your Mother/Roll Away The Stone/Ships/All The Young Dudes (Reprise)
17 - Slaughter On Tenth Avenue

Hunter/Ronson 15th February 1989 - Ian Hunter Quote

Ian ended the show with a familiar line - "As always you're a f**king gas. Don't forget us. We won't forget you."

Hunter/Ronson February 1989 - Media Review Quotes

"Not surprisingly, the extended encore was just a 'Greatest Hits' package, beginning with 'Cleveland Rocks'."

"Def Leppard's Joe Elliott came onstage to replace the previous, sampled back-up vocals and stayed through 'All The Young Dudes'."

"But his cool reception made it seem all-too possible that Def Leppard's platinum sales owed nothing to this particular audience's record tokens."

"They were more impressed by 'I Wish I Was Your Mother' and a thoughtful rendition of 'Roll Away The Stone'."

Hunter/Ronson February 1989 - Media Review Quotes

"For the encore they rolled out a medley of 'I Wish I Was Your Mother', 'Roll Away The Stone' and 'Ships'.

"Preceded by 'Cleveland Rocks' when on bounced Joe Elliott, finally (?) sharing the stage - and mic - with his hero and sporting a grin that said that after umpteen million Def Lep albums sold, this was what he called success."

View all the Fan Videos available so far on this YouTube playlist.

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