Portland, ME - Media Reviews
Rock 'n' Roll Fans Couldn't Stay In Their Seats By Steve Sherlock
The 'Rock Of Ages' still brings audiences to their feet two decades later.
Despite what is played these days on mainstream radio, several thousand fans at the Cumberland County Civic Center showed that they still love their rock 'n' roll.
Def Leppard and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, musical legends from the 1980s, delighted fans thirsting for a return of classic rock anthems.
True to ger punk roots, Joan Jett eschewed the usual special effects many bands utilize. The sparse stage setup featured no backdrop, no elaborate speakers and no light show.
Instead, Jett and the under[appreciated Blackhearts simply provided the audience with straight-ahead rock 'n' roll.
Jett, sporting a shaved head, can still belt out a rock tune and play guitar with the nest pf the rockers.
Still, the largely Def Leppard crowd's response was luke-warm, but polite.
Jett tried repeatedly to get the audience involved, but with only modest success.
It wasn't until the final three songs that the crowd came to life when Jett ended her set with her biggest hits.
'I Love Rock 'n' Roll', 'Crimson And Clover' and 'I Hate Myself For Loving You'.
That ending merely warmed the crowd for Def Leppard, who came on stage io a thundering roar.
The 19-song, two encore set lasted nearly two hours, with the crowd on its feet for the entire performance.
Lead singer Joe Elliott, wearing a long tiger jacket, had the stage presence of a rock star, bounding around the stage while using his microphone stand as a staff.
One armed drummer Rick Allen, who lost his left arm in an auto accident several years ago, maintained a high-energy beat that was as effective as anyone with two arms.
As the last show on the band's long six-month tour, Def Leppard was truly moved by the response from the Maine fans.
At one point, Elliott remarked, "What a great way to end the tour.".
The band showcased its many hits during a career that has lasted more than 20 years, which featured mega-selling albums 'Hysteria' and 'Pyromania'.
Even when Def Leppard played its new single 'Promises' from the latest album, the crowd knew all the words and sang along with Elliott.
At one point, Def Leppard went into 'VH1 Storyteller' more, bringing out the acoustic guitars for 'Two Steps Behind' from the 'Last Action Hero' soundtrack.
The band even had a treat for the crowd.
As a tribute to the Portland fans and to its stage crew.
Def Leppard performed the rarely played gem 'Stagefright' to close the show.
By Sun Journal 2000.
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