http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061012/ENTERTAINMENT/610130305 Rock of Ages keeps on rollin' Def Leppard, Journey fulfill retro cravings By STACY NICK StacyNick@coloradoan.com If you've been dying to hear the phrase "gunter glieben glauten globen" again, Tuesday night has been a long time coming for you. Crank your hearing aids to 11 for Def Leppard along with fellow "dinoroars" Journey. The '80s rock bands are taking over the Budweiser Events Center. Fans are guaranteed to hear classics including "Rock of Ages" (the start of which has long been debated but is actually just a gibberish countdown from producer Mutt Lange during the recording of the song). The arena rockers just completed their summer, co-headlining tour but are back for Round 2. But don't call it a comeback - these guys are cashing in on your requests for retro. Only the hardcore fans are at these shows to hear the new songs. Most audience members won't even know Journey recorded anything past 1984 (the band recorded "Generations" in 2005), but they'll tolerate a few new tunes as long as most of the show is more "Open Arms" and "Don't Stop Believing." "Some bands still find themselves artists and haven't gotten used to seeing themselves as a nostalgia act," said Jon Bard, host of KRFC 88.9 FM's Rock 'n' Roll Clubhouse Wednesday afternoons. "I can live through a new song or two. I'm cool with them trying to continue to be creative artists." Def Leppard got around it with its last recording, actually a cover album, but with almost 30 years of material, they, too, know where their bread and butter is. And it's a snack that audiences are craving right now. While emo seems to be the approved sound of the younger generation, fans older than 19 are looking for something a bit ... happier. "Indie rock and the emo thing - modern music is based on being depressed and dour and then you see a band like Motley Crue and they're still singing about sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll," said Bard, who unapologetically plays The Velvet Underground and Cinderella in the same set on his show. So "Pour Some Sugar On Me" isn't going to go down as great art or even a commentary on life and the human condition, but who among us can't sing each and every line? Classic rock and '80s shows are on the rise because fans want something fun. "The pendulum is swinging and people want to have a good time," Bard said. "When bands like Aerosmith and Motley Crue get together for a tour, you know that's going to be a fun show." Unfortunately for Colorado, that's a show that might not be coming our way - no Colorado dates had been set at press time. But Colorado will be seeing a resurgence of retro rock. The Who rocks the Pepsi Center in November with openers The Pretenders. And VH-1 Classic is gassing up The New Cars, who will be rolling back into the Boulder Theater on Dec. 1. The band, along with Blondie, played Coors Amphitheatre this summer but there was definite rust on this "new" version, especially without former front man Ric Ocasek and Ben Orr, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2000. It's tough enough when classic bands try to recapture the magic of 20, 30, even 40 years ago, but when they try to recapture it with new members, it can be bumpy for even the most faithful fan. Journey won't even have their replacement singer. Thanks to a chronic throat infection, Journey's new Steve Perry, lead singer Steve Augeri, was forced to leave the tour in early July. Jeff Scott Soto has temporarily assumed Augeri's duties. Will fans notice? Hard to tell. Soto has gotten rave reviews for capturing Perry's vocalizations and the band's former energy. But while we can ignore new faces, we're not as accepting of more saggy ones. BB King can go grey and get a belly without anyone uttering a peep, but when Joe Elliott's blonde mane is a little thinner on top and there's a bit more of him in the middle, fans take notice (and hope he keeps his shirt on for performances). It's the same principle as the makeup-ed KISS selling infinitely better than that weird in-between KISS that wore long, pink jackets and glitter. White pancake also does wonders for covering wrinkles. "Even Keith Richards pointed it out by asking how come it's OK for blues guys to get old and not rock guys," Bard said. "I don't expect Def Leppard to look or sound the same as they did in 1981. They're pros." And that's what it all comes down to, Bard said. Entertaining your audience. "People will walk out of there not having seen great art or learned about life or human nature, but they will walk out with a smile on their faces." Def Leppard/Journey When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday Where: Budweiser Events Center, intersection of Interstate 25 and Crossroads Boulevard, Loveland Cost: $66, $76 and $86 RES Information: www.comcasttix.com Originally published October 12, 2006 Copyright ©2004 The Coloradoan. All rights reserved.