Mountain View, CA - Fan Reviews
Fan Review - By RockLovingAngel/Amy H
A late birthday card arrives in the hands of a fan who travels from Springfield, Oregon to Mountain, View California. I am that fan from Springfield, Oregon. So the destination, to be given to Helen the 5* I Love All Access, who has direct contact to Joe Elliott of Def Leppard.
Unsure of what security at the front gates before the show, security directs me to talk to Helen. It was about the poster I also brought for the show. So honest, Helen also has taken over the responsibility if I can't take my poster in. She'd take care of the situation, and if anything happens, let her know right away.
I am in the gate, 5* I Love All Access lanyard around my neck, and a ticket for Section 102 Row DD, seat 2 which equals out to being 5th row I believe. The closest I have ever been to a Def Leppard show since I started seeing live Def Leppard since 2005. Also, this was my very first 5* I Love All Access show too! So another first for me with Def Leppard, but this time done in 2009.
The pre-party was great! Free food and a free few drinks were to be enjoyed. I was too nervous to eat a single bite. Enjoying the company of friends and some fans was fun too. My step father was even impressed and fun too. Crunch time though. I still had the card for Joe and I want him to see it before it's even more later than it was, considering his birthday was August 1st, and here it was September 2nd.
I found Helen again, and asked her nicely if she could please give something from me to Joe. So, without being nervous, I handed her a yellow envelope, and asked her to make sure he gets it and opens it. She shook her head and said she would! Off she goes, and I continue on with the pre-party.
Helen sometime returns and mentions it's time for a raffle. Awesome tee shirts to be won, autographed goodies, and all in fun, I didn't win anything. Glad I didn't since I am somewhat of a shy fan and getting up in front of the party mentioning where I was from and how many shows I went to would be nervous. Public speaking is not my thing you could say. Chances are if I did win something, I may of squeaked some words out. I did walk away a winner though, with all the cool stuff I got with my package with 5*.
After picking up my tour tee shirt, I urge my step dad to get up and find our seats. Amazing, we are like 5 rows away from the 'mini thrust' but over to the stage left of the stage. Not a bad view by any means. I ran into my friend who had an awesome spot, and she was happy with the ticket she had. She was farther up, but got section 102 and dead center of the middle of the 'mini thrust'.
It's now showtime! Cheap Trick was great. I had heard some of their stuff earlier this year on cd and watched them on Conan the night before. Great songs and awesome stage presence. Best of all, Rick Nielson was tossing out things out to the crowd. Guitar picks, and a record I think. For sure, I would love to see Cheap Trick again.
After the break, Poison comes on stage. Another good sounding band. Halfway through the show, some guy points at me and points me to go down the front of the stage! I couldn't believe it, but I was right there, up against the barrier! Sure I could of taken photographs, but I figured I am just gonna live this moment and rock out. It was so worth it.
Bret Micheals of Poison mentioned they were filming something for VH1. Continuing on, Bret gets brave and kisses a fan from the stage, and lets her sing into the microphone. Too cool to see a lot of things I usually don't see considering how far away I am sometimes. Indeed, my step dad got a hand shake from Bret, I got a hand shake from Bret as well.
Anxious and ready to set to rock my heart out, my heart beats faster. I am about to see Def Leppard 5 rows away! What a dream come true. Luck be had by me again, I saw Helen one last time. I asked her what happened to the card and she said, "Joe has the card in his hands the last time I saw him and I didn't see him open it." Fair enough! My heart went even faster and thanked her over and over again. Joe got my card and I knew this was already a night to never forget, and so far, it wasn't!
As soon as I hear 'For Those Who Are About To Rock' by AC/DC I am screaming and getting up on my feet knowing Def Leppard are set to come out. Lights go out and my heart is going even faster. "God Save The Queen" plays in the speakers with photographs and songs of Def Leppard throughout the years. Totally blew me away! Before I could blink the opener begins. . ."Welcome To The Sparkle Lounge" ends the image screen and new images begin.
Def Leppard opens with 'Rocket' and it was just right, and so fitting. Joe in the middle of the stage with Rick behind him, Vivian and Phil on each side of him, and Sav in his spot everything was picture perfect. Not to mention the sound was top notch and was felt from my feet to my head and back again!
Vivian with ever so dark curly hair, guitar in hand, shiny silver coat, and leg tight pants. The Irish for sure smiled upon this guy. Talented and good looking. What more could a female want?
Sav back to the curly hair that looks pretty hot despite it's dyed, the bass guitar strap so sparkly, long dark coat that showed his chest in beautiful/great shape, and yet, it can be stop when I mention nice leather pants.
Rick was a challenge to see. You can hear him so well but I couldn't see him well. Maybe this may make me invest in higher shoes? Something for me to think about for future shows for sure.
Phil doesn't even bother to dress. Topless guitar player in buffed out in just a pair of pants. Oh and when he hit the light right, his torso just glowed and glistened. Same rule goes for when the light hit him too. Alas, talented guitar player and he will always be my Rock God.
Joe shows up in a nice leather coat, a nice bright black top with a touch of sparkle on the front, form fitting pants, and hair that glows in the light. In fact, Joe is nothing but of what my heart always wants, needs, and desires. And more way than one may I add! This guy seriously has won me over time and time again. Not to forget to mention, Joe knows how to rock and does it well with the powerful delivery in his voice.
Vivian, Sav, Rick, Phil, and Joe continue to rock the night away. Could of fooled me though. Sometime during the show, Joe in a hoarseness voice mentions to the lines of, "Somebody has laryngitis but I am not saying who!" Really now Joe? To be fair and honest, I couldn't tell. With that said, I could hear everybody clear and I continued on singing along to the songs.
Encore time. I am not ready to say goodbye, but I know I will see Def Leppard again. With a feeling I had, I picked up my bright green/lime sign that reads in sparkles, 'HEY JOE OUR PHOTO' with a photograph of him and I from 2005 in the middle of the sign. All of the lights go on the stage and Def Leppard starts looking out to the stage. I hold up my sign over my head, Joe steps out and looks out. His microphone in his left hand, his right and left fingers and points to me! Brings back the microphone back to his mouth and says "THANKS LUV!" and looks and smiles right at me! They all walk away and break into 'Rock Of Ages'.
This was a great show for sure. Def Leppard know how to put on an awesome show. Everything a band should be. Interactive, loud, proud, and so much more could be said in their favor. Great and good words to be said for sure!
Memories were sure to be had for a lifetime. Current update though. Monday September 07, 2009. Last I heard the card was in Joe's hands on Wednesday September 2nd, the poster was taken to Sacramento, California Thursday September 3rd but left in the car and today the poster sits in my room for my shows in Ridgefield, Washington and Auburn, Washington in September 2009.
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