Colorado Springs, CO - Media Reviews

Jett, Def Leppard Help Fans Relive Past By Katie Johnston

A shiny-bald, snarling Joan Jett and a triumphantly rocked-out Def Leppard engulfed the World Arena Sunday night in hard-core '80s nostalgia. Black leather, high-pitched yowls, lighter-inspiring metal ballads - all elements kicked in for a trip back to the hit-list of a dozen or so years ago.

Joan Jett was first, sneering and smoldering through "Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)," "I Wanna Be Your Dog," "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," "Crimson and Clover" and "I Hate Myself For Loving You." Dressed in shiny black leather with her skull shaved to the bone, Jett broke out the handcuffs, made the crowd bark like dogs and ground out riffs on her guitar. Keep in mind she's 39 years old. Rock 'n' roll just doesn't have tough, rebellious women like this anymore. And that's a shame. Backed by the Blackhearts, Jett took us back to the days when you really could "put another dime in the jukebox baby," and her female ferocity was the highlight of the show.

Def Leppard took the simple stage with considerably less fanfare than in their heyday of rotating sets and elaborate props. Lead singer Joe Elliott did wear a leopard-skin overcoat for a while, and guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell took off their shirts for the encore, but that was about as over-the-top as they got.

The British quintet's familiar pop melodies over slashing guitars and the pounding of one-armed Rick Allen's drum flurries sounded exactly as they should. They played a few from their 1999 release "Euphoria," which sounded just like their tried-and-true.

For the most part, thankfully, they stuck to the hits, many from 1983's "Pyromania" (Elliott pronounces it "Pyromanier") and 1987's "Hysteria." "Women," "Animal," "Foolin'," and "Love Bites" - even the seemingly slow ones evolved into that thrashing, stay-on-your-feet intensity that the group pours into every song. The frequent drops in tempo and the inability to hear all of Elliott's lyrics above the guitar-crazed din hindered the show's energy, however.

The band's formula was quick to emerge: The three guitarists sing the first half of the chorus phrase, Elliott takes the second. And for some reason, it works. Def Leppard is, and just might remain, the master of the big hook. The fans were clearly into it, clapping their hands above their heads, pulling out the lighters, banging their heads. It's always amazing to hear music from so long ago and still remember exactly where to raise your arm and yell "Yeah!"

Def Leppard saved the best for last in its 105-minute set, beginning with an acoustic "Two Steps Behind" from 1993's "Last Action Hero" soundtrack. Then they brought up the British flag and let the big rock loose: "Armageddon It," "Photograph," "Rocket," "Pour Some Sugar On Me" and "Rock of Ages." Unfortunately, that didn't leave them anything good for the encore, which was the rather lackluster "Let's Get Rocked."

Still, the evening was a success. Fans got to relive their pasts, complete with a soundtrack that so perfectly fit the time. And the boys from Def Leppard, and the rebellious Joan Jett, were the perfect vehicles for that journey.

As one friend said: "It's like seeing old friends you haven't seen in a long time."

By The Gazette 2000.

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