Phoenix, AZ - Media Review Quotes

By Ted Hansen

Joe Elliott, Def Leppard’s lead singer/frontman declared that the night was a record for them. Record in that they had never played in 111 degree heat before (officially, the temperature was only 109 for the day and by show time probably only in the mid 90's). However, there was another unofficial record set at the Ashley Furniture HomeStore Pavilion in Phoenix on Saturday night. Most fist pumps into the air. Sorry Motley Crue fans, but the Def Leppard audience had you beat this night in throwing their clenched fists skyward in unison to the thumping of Rick Allen's bass drum all night long.

For over an hour and a half, Def Leppard treated their faithful to a barrage of hits beginning with their latest one, "Undefeated" from this summer's Mirror Ball release, to start the show. Note to classic rock bands wanting to try out new material. Open with the new songs because the audience is ready to embrace anything when you first hit the stage. Of course it does help if your new songs are as catchy as your older material which "Undefeated" is. After dispensing with the new material, the question of the night was asked "do you wanna get rocked" and the crowd responded in the affirmative with the fist pumping beginning in earnest during "Let's Get Rocked." While the band sang their surprisingly good live, multilayered harmonies, the video screen backing the stage showed split screen shots of Def Leppard's animated video of the song along with close ups of the band.

By Phoenix Examiner 2011.

Read the full review at -

By Michael Senft

Heart: Drummer Ben Smith did a fine job, even smashing a gong during the finale of "Love Reign O'er Me."

Def Leppard: Rick Allen is missing an arm. Sorry, you can't compete with that sort of gamesmanship. And the sheer joy that showed on his face as he performed made him all the more endearing.

Def Leppard: Just one, but it was the equally unpleasant "Love Bites."

No points - yeah, Def Leppard didn't offend as much, but one power ballad is one too many power ballads.

Give it to Def Leppard on points, but Heart had a bit more passion to their performance. Ultimately it was a fine, professional show all around - heavy on the hits and with few low points for the fans - which is exactly what we've come to expect from the summer nostalgia circuit.

By Arizona Republic 2011.

Read the full review at - azcentral.com

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