Fan Review -- By

Feel free to add one at any time.

Fan Review -- By Shana

It was an unseasonably cool night for St. Louis in July; perfect for an outdoor event! Cheap Trick was wonderful as always getting the crowd started up the right way. Poison put on an electrifying set, as usual, getting everyone on their feet and dancing.

As AC/DC's For Those About to Rock began, the crowd rushed back to their seats, and grew impatient. The intro to the Sparkle Lounge builds excitement in your tummy and then you see Rick come up to his kit. The beginning of Pyromania comes on and Sav appears above the drum kit! Then--BAM! Rock! Rock! pounds finto your ears! The boys launch into a rockin set that was spectacular throughout! Good mix of new and classic material, although I would have liked to have heard Nine Lives too but, I really was excited for anything!

We were lucky enough to be in the front row near the Thrust on Sav and Viv's side. I received plenty of attention from the guys--Joe sang "I suppose a rock's outta the question?" to me, Viv gave me a pick and shook my hand, Phil tossed me a pick and stuck his tongue out at me, and Sav came over to give me a pick after I excitedly waved him to me! Ahhh, what more could a girl ask for? Sorry pics weren't better, had to use my phone as cameras were turned away depending on who searched you. Overall, a perfect evening! Thank you to all who made it possible! I will be there next time!

Fan Review -- By Amy

This concert was full of firsts for me: first time sitting on the lawn (booked tickets too late!) and first time I could not take a camera in the venue – boo to the gits at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre for that senseless rule. That said, I have no pictures to prove it, but had Nothin’ But a Good Time anyway.

Right, that’s the end of the cheesy Poison puns. They and Cheap Trick were covered adequately in the media reviews, so I’ll limit my raves to my faves, the Mighty Lep. After watching a very dodgy performance on VH1 Friday night when they featured Lep a week earlier, in Connecticut, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Only Joe and Sav were interviewed, Joe sounding mighty hoarse, especially when singing Rocket; and Sav sounding, well, uncharacteristically talkative. The others were only shown walking on stage and performing briefly. Phil shone brightly as usual, but I was more than a bit distracted by his gum chewing.

Never fear, the Leppards were all back in fine form by the time they arrived in Maryland Heights. Apparently they were in St. Louis Sunday, or at least Rick was, earning a mention on KSHE radio’s “Lunch with Def Leppard” noontime programme. The Missouri fans were delighted to spot him in the stands at Busch Stadium at Sunday’s Cardinals game, prompting a shot of Rick on the jumbotron for which Joe took the p!ss outta him on stage Monday night: “now he’s a famous wanker or something.” Decked out in Cardinals jersey and a baseball cap, which he tossed out to some lucky fan near the stage, Rick was all smiles and thunder on the drums.

Phil was also all smiles, no shirt, lotsa bling, and a mouthful of GUM. For any ladies who haven’t already guessed, he’s apparently lost the shirt altogether and doesn’t even bother to wear it for the first 2-3 songs any more! Sporting two new Jackson guitars – a groovy green and white psychedelic which glowed in the dark like Bela and a classic maple colour reading “London 1957” (hmmm, I wonder wot that means?) Phil was a joy to watch even from the back 40 in the lawn. We were on our feet the whole time. Despite the jumbotrons not working during Poison and Cheap Trick’s set, thank God they were in order by the time the Leps hit the stage. New features this time were camera shots of Rick’s thunderous feet pounding the drums during ROA and Phil’s fast fingers flying up and down the fretboard.

Highlights were Hysteria, Phil adding a little soul to the rideout riff; Foolin’, when Joe’s voice was amazingly strong; C’Mon C’Mon when the whole band was really into it; and Sav’s bass solo leading up to Rock On. Even though I wish they would drop RO from the setlist and stick with their own songs, it gives Sav a well deserved time in the spotlight which is fun to see. Conversationally speaking, the highlight and laugh of the night goes to Joe for his pre-TSB address to the crowd surrounding the thrust stage: “Someone down there is smoking something that’s not legal, I know cos it’s made me forget wot I was gonna say!” Sav got a huge laugh out of this, as did the audience. Finally Joe remembered that he was going to invite the lot of us to join the band and “sing along if you know this one” (Two Steps Behind) which of course we all did enthusiastically. Also there was a little surprise that threw some of us for a loop: When they intro’d PSSOM, it sounded just like Let’s Get Rocked, then they launched into the “Love is like a bomb, bomb, bommmm bommmm” lyric and we knew better. Always fun to mix it up a bit, guys.

The only real moment I could cite as a downer was the slow, painful, unmelodic performance of Love Bites. Although this is truly my favourite song, it’s not half as good live. Of course the musical genius and soul of Steve Clark are missed dearly and especially on this song; but in fairness, it just is not a great live song these days. I would be happy to see them drop this from the setlist too, and pick up WL&HC, which we rarely get to hear in the States. It’s a much better live ballad.

Once again this year the video screens were amazing, returning with old favourites like each band member being featured as a circus performer in Animal and shots of the glory days during Photograph. New themes were background scenes (and “some girls”?) during Hysteria and Foolin’ and other rock legends featured during Rock of Ages. I spotted Ozzy, Keef Richards, David Bowie, Ian Hunter, and Jimi Hendrix, coincidentally providing the backdrop for Phil to demonstrate his adoration for Hendrix with his own talent on the axe. I’m glad to see they’re still using the video as it really adds a lot to the live show.

I can’t think of anything else to say except, thanks to the Leps for another great show, and . . . “Don’t forget us, cos we won’t forget you!” (Which was not played by Poison, BTW.) Off to another show later that week, where they’ll surely shine especially in Michigan.

Media Review -- Poison, Def Leppard perform at Verizon By Scott Kiefer

The summer just wouldn't be complete without a shed tour from Poison or from Def Leppard, as die-hard hair band fans return year after year to see them perform.

This year however, a light bulb went off in someone's head and decided the two groups should join up and hit the road together. The result is a night of hits by both groups that kept the very near sell-out crowd at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater on their feet and singing along throughout the evening.

Def Leppard performed "Pyromania," "Armageddon It," "Photograph," "Let's Get Rocked," and many more with a nearly flawless performance.

Poison (with lead singer Bret Michaels making his third appearance in St. Louis this spring) entertained the audience with their perennial favorites as "Something to Believe In," "Talk Dirty to Me," "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," and "Fallen Angel" to name a few. Cheap Trick opened the show.
By Scott Kiefer @ Belleville News 2009 - (See link for full review).

Media Review Quote -- Def Leppard, Poison and Cheap Trick at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater By Annie Zaleski | 24 Pics

Def Leppard, Poison and Cheap Trick played at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater last night for an appreciative, packed house. The show was overall satisfactory and fun -- although the sheer amount of Rock on a Monday night left me a little tired. So here are my random highlights/lowlights and truisms about all three bands:

Things that were true about Def Leppard's set: The cougar-leaning ladies in the front row were much more enthusiastic than they were for Poison. (No f-f-f-foolin'.) The band's fantastic cover of David Essex's "Rock On" was an evocative, spooky hellmouth of a song, and a highlight. On the other hand, "Love Bites" - and this hurts my heart - limped like someone with a sprained ankle. A mid-set acoustic interlude with the four instrumentalists (sans drummer Rick Allen) on acoustic guitars playing "Two Steps Behind" and "Bringin' On the Heartbreak" was excellent. The set flew by, mainly because Def Lep stuck to its hits. Its harmonies were spot-on - as was its music, which snarled and stomped like a dinosaur.

Joe Elliott's voice was also lacking the muscle and husky edge of yore, but he had more juice than Michaels did - and as he proved on "Photograph," he can still wail. He also had more clothing changes than Michaels did. Phil Collen emerged onstage pre-glistened with sweat (or so it seemed). Bassist Rick Savage wore one sparkly glove the entire night (homage to Michael Jackson?).

Things that are always true about Def Leppard: The glam-metal-on-steroids quintet does not get enough credit for having cool influences (i.e., Bowie, as demonstrated on "Hysteria"). "Armageddon It" objectively contains some of the most ridiculous lyrics ever uttered - "Yeah, but are you gettin it?/(Armageddon it!)/Ooh, really gettin it?/(Yes, armaggedon it!)" -- but somehow is irresistible. The band has so many classic singles that "Pour Some Sugar On Me" doesn't even need to appear in the encore. The array of pedals and triggers that drummer Allen uses is jaw-dropping.
By Annie Zaleski @ Riverfront Times 2009 - (See link for full review).

Media Review -- Def Leppard, with Poison and Cheap Trick Review By Brad

Putting together a summer concert package can be tricky but the pairing of Cheap Trick with Poison and Def Leppard this summer was a match made in 80's glam rock heaven. It has been more than 20 years when these bands were the rock gods, when hair metal taught kids to tease and spray their hair, when florescent pink, green and Purple were the style. You could see it in the crowd at the Verizon Amphitheater last night. With lots of 80's attire, Mullets, and some women wearing things they shouldn't. Although Def Leppard closed the show, this was definitely more of a co-headlining gig, as both Poison and Def Leppard had tons of devoted fans in attendance. When Poison was done some of the Fans actually left.

That itch was definitely scratched by Def Leppard. The songs may be old, so old my wife doesn't know some of them, but the band surely isn't. They came out ready, jamming through crowd pleasers such as "Rock! Rock! Till You Drop," "Rocket" and "Animal." Even after three decades, singer Joe Elliott still has it, hitting the right notes. Each band member had a chance to showcase his talent, including a Vivian Campbell guitar solo at the end of "Love Bites" and a bass solo by Rick Savage leading into their version of David Essex's "Rock On." Drummer Rick Allen and guitarist Phil Collen also had their time in the spotlight, including an interesting camera shot down Collen's Guitar. "Guitar Hero" enthusiasts got a lesson on how to play a real guitar. One of the best parts of the show came when everyone except Allen made their way to the end of the catwalk for an acoustic version of "Two Steps Behind," followed by Elliott, Collen and Campbell doing a majority of "Bringin' on the Heartbreak" acoustically, took me back to Mtv Unplugged. On "NO!" the band fired up in full again to wrap the song. The rest of the 90-minute set featured more classics, including "Photograph" (complete with pictures of the band over the years), "Pour Some Sugar on Me" (everyone was singing), "Rock of Ages" and an encore of "Let's Get Rocked." Their energy was so contagious, even those in the Lawn were on their feet the whole show. Rick Allen end the show in full Cardinals attire and throwing his cardinal hat into the crowd, Thanking everyone who came out. You would be hard-pressed to find another band so dedicated to its craft. You can see the passion in their art, the dedication on their faces, and the broad smiles as the crowd responds. Is Poison still nothin' but a good time? Is the Trick still Cheap and Is the Leppard still Def? Anwsers Depending on what you paid for this concert, Sort of, and Hell Rockin Yeah
By Brad @ reviewstl 2009 - (See link for full review).

Media Review -- Def Leppard & Poison at VZW Amp By J Boyd

After a short change over and with much anticipation, the stage was set for the evening's main event: Def Leppard. They came barreling out of the gate with a set of old classics sure to please any fan of the boys from Sheffield, England. "Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)" led the way directly into "Rocket" to start the set and Joe Elliott and the boys were just getting started. Def Leppard had a much bigger, fuller sound than did Poison so that helped the ramp up the energy for their set quite a bit. The 3 tiered LCD covered stage and big lights made a great backdrop for a night of familiar hits. There were many standout's from the set but a very strong version of "Love Bites" featured great solos from every member of the group. A deep, dark bass intro led into a cover of the David Essex tune "Rock On" which was surely a highlight of the night. An acoustic version of "Two Steps Behind" with the band gathered at the front of the stage was great. Classic Def Leppard hits closed the 90 minute set with "Hysteria", a growling version of "Pour Some sugar On Me", "Rock Of Ages" and "Let's Get Rocked" as the encore. Def Leppard showed once again last night that after more than 30 years, they still have what it takes to rock a packed house and the fans in St. Louis could not have enjoyed it more.

Fun show and a great night, go check it out if it comes to your neck of the woods. And do not forget your Aqua Net.
By J Boyd @ Insidestl 2009 - (See link for full review).