Everett, WA - Media Reviews

'Rock of Ages' indeed By Victor Balta

Fans show their adoration even though Def Leppard shows its age - In the opening of Def Leppard's quintessential rock anthem, "Rock of Ages," lead singer Joe Elliott proclaims, "It's better to burn out then fade away."

We may have witnessed the first burst of flames Tuesday night at the Everett Events Center.

But if this band of pyromaniacs is going up in smoke, it's going out loud.

The British quintet put on a raucous 90-minute set for about 7,500 adoring fans in a show that ran four hours, with Bryan Adams playing his own 90-minute set. Irish acoustic rocker Ricky Warwick opened the show.

Def Leppard, which played at the Evergreen State Fair five years ago, is packing arenas this time around in support of its double album, "Rock of Ages: The Definitive Collection." The tour and the new CD celebrate 25 years since the band's first album, and both are full of hits.

While most bands have a song or two that can blow the roof off, Def Leppard has about a dozen, and they were all on display Tuesday night. But time has clearly taken a toll, specifically on Elliott's voice, as he had trouble reaching some of the higher and most distinctive notes.

Guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell, bassist Rick Savage and drummer Rick Allen sounded great and provided the backbone that kept the show together. But none of that seemed to matter much to their admirers, who pumped fists to such thunderous hits as "Foolin'," "Photograph" and "Armageddon It," while swaying and crooning along to power ballads "Love Bites" and "Bringin' on the Heartache."

The set included cover tunes such as Badfinger's "No Matter What" and David Essex's "Rock On." Both are expected to be on a collection of covers that the band will release in 2006. "No Matter What" is also on the new "Rock of Ages" CD.

The band said goodbye after playing 14 songs, but the crowd wasn't going anywhere until it got some sugar. The Lepps obliged, returning to blast perhaps their most popular tune, "Pour Some Sugar on Me," before calling it a night.

Imperfect performances aside, Tuesday night ranked up there with the best for the thousands of fans who turned out to rejoice in rock.

By The Herald 2005.

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