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By Courtney Devores

Def Leppard, who held Styx's spot as a big band in a support slot opening for Kiss at PNC last summer, played a set similar in look and songs to that tour. The video backdrops for "Rocket" and "Armageddon It" were the same, but those were some of the highlights of last year's show so the inclusion makes sense. I could always do without a cover of "Rock On" (my point of reference is soap star Michael Damian's version). I'd rather hear a side 2 "Hysteria" album track (side 2 gets no love). "Rocket" on the other hand has turned into one of the highlights of the set despite its 6 and a half minute length and sort of trippy, psychedelic chant-feel. Even as a kid I found it an odd choice for a single, but over 25 years later it works maybe even better than it did then.

The sound wasn't pristine. Elliott doesn't hit all the high notes as regularly as he once did and the lack of clarity and singing crowd helped cover that fact. He doesn't swipe at notes like some veterans his age, but seems to know when and where to push it. He may not reach for the peaks on "Love Bites" or "Animal," but he soared on "Foolin'."

He was playful, tossing a Union Jack stiletto to a fan whose high heel somehow ended up on stage and bassist Rick Savage and guitarist Phil Collen (with Elliott above) remain consistent, charismatic players.

Between last summer's Def Leppard show and Tuesday's concert, I've gained a greater appreciation for the group's history through my 6-year-old's interest in them. There was a time in my life when Def Leppard wasn't cool. An avid Headbanger's Ball and MTV Top 20 countdown viewer during the band's height when I was 12, boyfriends and peer groups eventually steered me toward "alternative" fare. But a fondness for bands like the Pixies and the Smiths, shouldn't have negated my love of Def Leppard. I thought about that as I was singing "Rock of Ages" with my son during the encore.

By Charlotte Observer 2015.

Read the full review at - charlotteobserver.com

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