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Monday, 15th August 1983
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Madison, WI - Media Reviews

Def Leppard @ Dane County Coliseum By Wisconsin State Journal

As for Def Leppard, its set was a loudness contest.

Not against the opening act, but against the audience itself.

'Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)' came charging out of the PA to meet an almost equally loud ovation.

'Rock Brigade' followed rapidly and it was obvious that the vocal cords on both sides of the stage lights were in top shape.

Every seat in the house had been sold weeks ago.

Beyond that, there were enough Leppard T-shirts emblazoned with the Union Jack motif to make the Queen Mother believe the Isles had recaptured the Colonies.

This crowd wanted Leppard and it got all of Leppard's best.

Lead screamer Joe Elliott and his mighty mates poured everything they had into a few fillers like 'Billy's Got A Gun' but this assemblage wanted hits.

What it got was one left hook with 'Foolin'' and a right cross with 'Photograph', 'Rock Of Ages' was a technical knockout.

Hailed as one of the most melodic of the new HM breed, Leppard did well as long as it stuck to the songs.

But set-stretching gimmicks like the 'which side can yell the loudest' ploy only served to cool an otherwise heated show.

Nonetheless, Leppard stormed over the masses like five pair of concrete cycle boots.

Even unimaginative solos by guitarists Steve Clark and Phil Collen drew approving screams.

Since Def Leppard's first appearance here almost two years ago, there's no doubt the group has become hard rock's current kings.

After the concert, it's a cinch we'll never see Def Leppard open a show for anyone, ever again.

By Wisconsin State Journal 1983.


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