St. Paul, MN - Media Reviews

At State Fair, Def Leppard brings the '80s screaming back By Ross Raihala

Three songs into Def Leppard's Friday night headlining gig at the Minnesota State Fair, lead singer Joe Elliott announced he was taking the crowd in a time machine, back to the year 1983. With that, the band launched into "Foolin'," the third consecutive hit single from "Pyromania," an album that went on to sell 10 million copies and make Def Leppard one of the biggest bands of the '80s.

To the delight of the capacity crowd, the guys stayed in time-machine mode throughout the entire set, save for show opener "Undefeated," a new song that, well, sounded exactly like Def Leppard of old.

And that sound was hugely influential, both to the hairspray metal scene it helped birth as well as to the alt-rock revolution that sought to destroy it in the '90s.

In terms of re-creating that sound - booming, monolithic drums and slick, glam-influenced guitars - the group did an admirable job, whether it was on the let's-ride-the-Tilt-A-Whirl-and-scream anthems ("Let's Get Rocked," "Rocket") or the let's-make-out-behind-Sweet-Martha's power ballads ("Love Bites," "Two Steps Behind"). It helps that, unlike many long-running bands, metal or otherwise, Def Leppard has maintained essentially the same lineup for decades, with the only noticeable absences being guitarist Steve Clark (who died in 1991) and drummer Rick Allen's left arm (missing in action since 1984).

Sure, the first half of the show felt a bit sluggish at times. Elliott has never been the most charismatic frontman and, as he always has, he shared the spotlight with bassist Rick Savage and guitarists Phil Collen (shirtless and showing off a stunning physique for a 53-year-old) and Vivian Campbell (who, prior to joining the band, made a few killer records with Ronnie James Dio). But, like Kiss last year, Def Leppard's nostalgic rock proved the ideal match for a gorgeous Friday night at the Fair.

Openers Heart got things started with a rousing hour of hits delivered with just as much, if not more, passion than the headliners. Sisters Ann (61, lead vocals) and Nancy (57, guitar) Wilson are two tough old broads, and I mean that in the best possible way.

In a nod to Heart's earliest days - when they were marketed as a female Led Zeppelin - the pair worked in two Led Zep covers, the muscular "Rock and Roll" to open the show and the delicate folk ballad "The Battle of Evermore" to kick off the encore.

They also offered a stunning take on the Who's "Love, Reign o'er Me," but Heart's finest material of the night was their own, specifically "Magic Man," "Crazy on You" and "Barracuda," the three songs that best capture the group's fine balance between masculine rock and feminine power. And not only did the Wilson sisters both look incredible, Ann Wilson can still belt like a woman half her age.

By Pioneer Press 2011.

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