Lincoln, NE - Media Reviews

Def Leppard, Adams pour some retro sugar on crowd By Niz Proskocil

As the sun beat down and the beer and music flowed, so did the memories.

Those who grew up in the '80s, as I did, no doubt had flashbacks of big hair and acid-wash jeans at Tuesday's concert, headlined by Def Leppard and Bryan Adams, at Lincoln's Haymarket Park.

About 6,000 fans mainly in their 30s and 40s reveled in nostalgia or, in the case of a number of youngsters in the crowd, made new memories.

Maybe it's the band's emphasis on melody or the British factor or the one-armed drummer, but Def Leppard has always been the coolest, most tasteful band out of all the hard-rock groups from the '80s. (Can you say Motley Crue?)

And although 25 years have passed since Def Leppard's debut album, the band's anthems - underscored by the two-guitar attack of Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell - have withstood the test of time. Much of the band's strength lies in its vocal power. Lead vocalist Joe Elliott, 46, isn't the only one who sings. He's joined by the other four members, which gives the music a big, arena-rock sound. The crowd sure dug it.

During the band's nearly 90-minute set, fans on the outfield grass had a blast pumping their fists and singing along, from the opening number, "Action," to the closer, "Pour Some Sugar on Me." Fans in the stands moved to the beat. Children did cartwheels in left field.

With energy to burn, the band ripped through such classics as "Rock of Ages," "Photograph," "Love Bites," "Hysteria" and "Armageddon It" as Def Leppard frontman Elliott, clad in black leather pants, prowled the stage as the sun set.

It was a satisfying night for diehard and casual fans of both acts, which showed that a slice of nostalgia - even when served with extra cheese - isn't such a bad way to spend a night.

By Niz Proskocil @ Omaha World Herald 2005.

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