New York, NY - Media Review Quotes
But what the Leppards have in abundance are hits, all scored and executed with a visceral cleansing joy. Elliott, bassist Rick Savage, drummer Rick Allen and guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell clearly love their work, and they advertised it from first song ("Let's Get Rocked") to encore ("Rock! Rock! [Till You Drop]").
It was a gas to hear the classicism at the heart of the Leppards' sound, like the Jeff Beck-like curls and screams in Collen's acrobatic leads.
It was fascinating, too, to hear how much of Leppard's pop savvy - the tight candied four-part vocal harmonies, the R&B-dance inflections of "Rocket" and "Pour Some Sugar on Me" - has turned up on Britney Spears and 'N Sync records.
By RollingStone 2002.
Read the full review at - rollingstone.com
By Dan Aquilante
It was here that drummer Rick Allen (who lost his left arm in an auto accident in '85) proved his worth, with outstanding turbo-drive percussions that refitted the tune with a proper metal treatment.
Even though this wasn't a stadium show, the Leppard boys were obviously nervous.
But soon the guitar interchanges between Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell had the necessary crunch, and the harmonies, while shaky for Carnegie Hall, carried the perfect degree of rowdy passion for this little rock club gig.
The band will return to New York later this year - maybe then they'll bring a few new tunes.
By New York Post 2002.
Read the full review at - nypost.com
Def Leppard @ Irving Plaza By David J. C.
Breaking out the Hysteria hits (Hysteria, Animal, Love Bites), the band sounded tight and performed as if they were in a jam-packed arena. Even their sweet background harmonies were picture perfect. They seemed focused and driven, like a prizefighter who has been waiting too long for a title. An introduction and performance of their new single, Now, proved the band is still passionate about their music. At one point, Elliott looked up to the VIP section and the jaded industry suits, and nodded as if to say, "Yeah, we still matter!" The house lights were raised for Photograph, causing the audience to explode. Leppard laid it on thick; first Rocket, then Armageddon It, followed by the smash Pour Some Sugar on Me, leading up to the climatic Rock of Ages. Elliott announced, "You are certainly the 'City That Never Sleeps!' There are fans out there in the crowd who have been with us for 20-odd years, you know who you are! New fans, welcome aboard, you're in for a fun ride!"
The band returned for an encore of Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop), leaving the crowd ecstatic. "Don't forget us, we won't forget you," Elliott shouted as he exited the stage. He shouldn't have any worries, because this performance will go down in history.
By David J. C 2002.
share this page:
explore def leppard tour history
