http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Site=GE&Date=20030408&Category=NEWS02&ArtNo=104080382&Ref=AR April 8, 2003 Rock group Def Leppard lets it go for crowd of 3,500 at Tullio Arena By Dave Richards dave.richards@timesnews.com A little snow, some ice, and lots of sleet couldn't prevent Jan Landers and Cindy Kennedy from keeping their appointed rendezvous with Def Leppard on Monday at Tullio Arena. The two friends drove more than 500 miles from Lima, Ohio, to catch the veteran British rock band, which ruled the 1980s with its hard-hitting yet melodic rock, powered by surging, shout-a-long choruses. "There's nobody better than Def Leppard," declared Kennedy. "We've been to a lot of shows, but they don't get better than this," added Landers. " And it doesn't hurt that they're awesome-looking, too." Before a raucous crowd of 3,500 fans, Def Leppard pounded out two pulverizing hours of fist-pumping, shout-a-long rock that relied heavily on their mega- selling CDs, "Pyromania" and "Hysteria," though they didn't skimp on the rest of their catalogue. Lead singer Joe Elliott and company blasted into "Let' It Go" and "Another Hit and Run" - a 1-2 punch from "High 'n Dry," their 1981 release that set the stage for their breakthrough hits. Elliott - dressed all in black - doesn't look quite as lean and lanky as the band's 80's heyday. But with his easy smile, flying hair, and the way he wielded his microphone stand - it seemed like an appendage, at times - he commanded the crowd. Of course, it probably wouldn't have mattered if he stood there like a Buckingham Palace guard. The fans were into this one, approving not only of Def Leppard's monster hits such as "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and "Photograph," but the acoustic gem "Two Steps Behind" and newer fare. They didn't sit down during four songs from "X," Def Leppard's 2002 release. Some even waved their Bics during the new power ballad "Long Long Way to Go," which Elliott dedicated to American and British troops in Iraq. Landers said "X" marks the spot with her. "Love it," she said. Before the show, Landers and Kennedy tracked down the band at its hotel in Erie and scored autographs, not that Landers necessarily needed any more. When the band played Lima, Ohio, at a county fair, she outbid everyone else to meet the band. She coughed up $400 to St. Jude's Hospital for the honor. "I would have doubled it, if I had to," said Landers, who's seen Def Leppard 25 times. Guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell wailed throughout the night, with Collen taking most of the sizzling, piercing leads. Along with bassist Rick Savage, they provided harmonies behind Elliott, coming on - at times - like REO Speedwagon on steroids. Meanwhile, drummer Rick Allen remains a one-man marvel. It's a credit to his pummeling power that nobody talks anymore about the accident that cost his arm years ago. He just rocks on. So will Erie. A new concert was announced just before acoustic rocker Ricky Warrick took the stage. Godsmack - which released its new CD "Faceless" on Tuesday - will perform on May 29 at the Tullio Arena. Tickets go on sale Saturday at the Tullio Arena box office and Ticketmaster outlets. DAVE RICHARDS can be erached at 870-1703 or by e-mail at dave.richards@timesnews.com.