Scranton, PA - Media Review Quotes

By Patrice Wilding

Lead singer Joe Elliott, a bright light onstage in an ivory-colored leather jacket, gripped a microphone stand decked out in Union Jack scarves as he led singalongs for “Foolin’” and “Love Bites.” Phil Collen’s soulful wailing guitar compelled every body to gyrate along with the power ballad.

“Oi Scranton, do you wanna get rocked?” Elliott teased. The answer was, of course, a resounding yes, and Def Leppard confidently walked through a 75-minute set bursting with hits. Elliott strapped on an acoustic guitar, strumming dutifully through “Two Steps Behind,” which segued into a slowed-down “Bringing on the Heartbreak.” About halfway through, he ditched the guitar and “Heartbreak” was played as the searing, electric song fans know and love.

The band indulged themselves and entertained the audience with a jam session that gave each member a chance to showcase his superior musicianship. Vivian Campbell, sporting a clean-shaven scalp following treatments for the return of Hodgkin lymphoma, seemed in good health and spirits as he handily delivered a soaring guitar solo. One-armed phenom Rick Allen raced through a drum solo that had the whole pavilion vibrating. Bassist Rick Savage’s boundless energy during the seminal anthem “Pour Some Sugar On Me” was matched only by the frenzy of the crowd.

Def Leppard left the stage dark for only a few moments before they re-emerged for an encore that included “Rock of Ages” and “Photograph.”

By The Times Tribune 2014.

Read the full review/6 Photos at - thetimes-tribune.com

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