Gilford, NH - Media Reviews
A short set change and Def Leppard were onstage.
Def Leppard released their first album On Through The Night in 1980. While building their fan base in England, where the boys are from, the band really didn’t find much recognition in the U.S. until 1981 when they toured in support of their second release, High ‘n’ Dry. I first saw them on tour opening for Ozzy Osbourne’s Blizzard of Oz, after which I went out and bought both their releases.
The band returned to The States two years later in support of their third album, Pyromania. Although I personally prefer High ‘n’ Dry, Pyromania was the record that really broke the band in The States. Both High ‘n’ Dry and Pyromania were produced by the great Mutt Lange, but out to prove his worth, Mutt really pushed the boys on Pyromania, making them do take after take, singing higher and higher until the band was about to break. The result got everyone what they wanted, and the album soared up the charts to #2 on the Billboard charts. (High ‘n’ Dry only reached #38)
I caught them on that tour as well, opening for Billy Squire, and hung out with Steve Clark, Phil Collen and Rick Savage at the hotel bar, drinking until the bar closed. Great bunch of guys, they were.
Along with the bands success, they have also been hit with some blows, the first was having to fire their longtime friend and guitar player, Pete Willis, during the recording of Pyromania, due to his alcohol abuse. Two years later, drummer Rick Allen, would lose his arm in a terrible car accident. (Can I just say, hats off to the band who put the band on hold and waited until Rick was ready to rejoin the band with an adapted drum kit? Not many bands would do that. It just goes to show how close of a brotherhood these blokes have for one another. In 1999, guitarist Steve Clark, died of a drug overdose. Most recently, in 2013, Steve’s replacement, Vivian Campbell, was diagnosed with cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and twice he thought it had gone into remission but twice it’s come back, the latest news coming only a month prior to this show. Through it all the band has pushed on, and today still sell out arenas around the world.
I have to say I was quite happy to see Vivian on stage with the band, as after the news of his cancer returning I wasn’t sure if he was going to take some time off to be with his family. I had also heard that Trixter guitarist, Steve Brown, was filling in for Vivian while he undergoing stem cell treatments, but as the band took the stage, there he was, looking healthy and playing great. I know all the fans wish him well.
Def Leppard’s current line-up is pretty close to their original sans the guitarists with Joe Elliot on vocals, Rick Savage on bass, Rick Allen on drums, Phil Collen on guitar, and, as stated before, Vivian Campbell on guitar.
Def Leppard played a two hour long set, which included eighteen songs. Highlights for me were the early stuff, and the David Essex cover of “Rock On.”
By Maine Music News 2015 - follow the link to read the full review/view the photos.
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