Des Moines, IA - Media Reviews

Def Leppard makes 80s nostalgia fun By Kyle Munson

Before MP3s, CDs, MTV and four of the five "Star Wars" movies, there was Def Leppard and 94.9 KGGO-FM.

The English pop-metal quintet and Des Moines' stalwart home on the radio for classic rockers such as Leppard jointly celebrated a quarter-century on Saturday night. About 4,000 fans/listeners turned out at Veterans Memorial Auditorium to reel in the years and raise their fists to all possible uses for the word "rock" - 'Rock! Rock! (Til" You Drop),' 'Rock of Ages,' 'Let's Get Rocked,' 'Rocket,' etc.

Obviously, rockin" Leppard has pretty much rocked on with the rockin" formula (and lineup, save the 1991 death of guitarist Steve Clark) of its landmark rock albums "Pyromania" (1983) and "Hysteria" (1987). From the sweet, high harmonies to singer Joe Elliott's mullet and sleeveless T-shirt, here's a band that makes no apologies for how faithfully and completely it re-creates its "80s sound.

Most of Leppard's competition for the rock nostalgia market is hobbled by shifting lineups and is less sure-footed amid shifting tastes. But Leppard's well-preserved sound comes with an utter lack of pretention, plus self-restraint in not resorting to stage trappings or gimmicks to make up for the effects of age.

Sure, Elliott sounded hoarse by the time 'Photograph' arrived midset, but just prior to that he wailed in vaguely Middle Eastern tones and inserted a verse of the Who's 'My Generation' into an extended version of 'Rocket,' a showcase for guitarist Phil Collen.

Somewhat impressively, Leppard tossed a curveball to begin the concert, playing the entire first side of its "High "n" Dry" LP (1981).

Less impressive were the new songs off last year's "X" album.'Long Long Way to Go' was dedicated to the British and American troops who were and still are in Iraq, but musically it sounded like a cast-off ballad from Jon Bon Jovi. 'Now,' the other new song, plodded along and sounded as if Leppard had momentarily blanked out its more melodic past.

Besides the disappointing new songs and an unplugged reading of 'Two Steps Behind' (from the soundtrack to the Arnold Schwarzenegger flop "Last Action Hero"), Leppard's pace didn't lag.

The encore was entrusted to quintessential power ballad 'Love Bites' and upbeat 1992 hit 'Let's Get Rocked.'

Rick Allen showed tenacity in continuing to drum for Leppard after losing his left arm in 1984. Similarly, the entire band has beaten the odds - against age, fashion and the fickle public.

Because Leppard is able to so effortlessly re-create its last 25 years note for note and seems more than happy to do so, its nostalgia is fun rather than funny.

Solo singer-guitarist Ricky Warwick, an English buddy of the Leppard guys, opened the show with his driving, workmanlike strumming. Guitarist Vivian Campbell accompanied him during one song. Think of a cross between Leppard and, say, Dave Matthews or David Gray.

By Des Moines Register 2003.

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