New Haven, CT - Media Reviews

Def Leppard At New Haven Coliseum by Hartford Courant

The box office reported almost as much interest in the lead-in act, Def Leppard, as in Squier.

This new British band was a perfect compliment to the evenings brand of clubhouse rock.

If Squier was the macho loner, Def Leppard was Our Gang with guitars.

It was also a youthful group, with its band members in their early 20s.

This type of kid power seemed effortless on stage.

The 33-year old Squier was equally vigorous, but did not come across as quite so lean and hungry.

Both bands had a moment in each set when two guitarists performed an extended guitar piece, their back pressed againat each other in a type of brotherhood bonding.

It was a symbolic moment, at once glorious and dumb.

Squier's band included keyboards, but Def Leppard didn't even introduce a synthesizer into its sound.

It was strictly guitarorama, four strong, with drums and voices as accessory.

Still, lead singer Joe Elliott showed a strong sense of charisma, especially in such power pop numbers as 'Photograph'.

Despite raves from the fans, the band did not return for an encore.

Regardless, the cheers indicated that Def Leppard won't be a lead-in act for long.

By Hartford Courant 1983.

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