Glens Falls, NY 1987 - Media Reviews

Def Leppard @ Glens Falls Civic Center By Glens Falls Post-Star

Like Sugar Ray Leonard coming out of retirement, Def Leppard opened their North American tour at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

It's been four years since they last toured and that's a whole generation ago in the ever-changing world of heavy metal music.

Since they last ruled the roost, with their multi-platinum 'Pyromania' and massive exposure on MTV, numerous bands have had their moments in the dry ice and exited stage right.

Bon Jovi and Whitesnake are the new kingpins, and Leppard's return to the heavy metal wars by no means assures them a place atop the heap.

They trained hard for this tour.

They arrived in Glens Falls two weeks ago and worked out daily at the Civic Center.

Nevertheless, opening night jitters on Thursday were bound to exist.

Leppard started out rusty, but by the third song, 'Women', from their 'Hysteria' album, they were in full swing.

Early highlights included 'Armageddon It' and their anti-war song 'Gods Of War' with enough noise, laser lights and dry ice to recreate the Battle Of The Bugle.

As intrumentalists, they mesh like a Swiss watch.

Guitarist Phil Collen (the one with the short hair) is the only standout, a walking encyclopedia of heavy metal technique.

The set structure left much to be desired.

Kids were shaking their heads and fists frantically early on were taking a breather midway.

But songs like their U.S. hit 'Photograph' brought the audience out of the doldrums.

By Glens Falls Post-Star 1987.

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