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Leppard fans don't change spots

By HEATHER PERSSON
Special to This Week
September 24, 2003

A near-capacity crowd turned out Sunday night at Sport Mart Place to prove 
that old Def Leppard maxim: "It's better to burn out than fade away."
And they were not disappointed, as the power act from the '80s proved they 
can still rock.

Opening act Ricky Warwick managed to keep the waiting crowd under wraps. 
Using only his acoustic guitar and edgy, strong voice, the Dublin native won 
some new fans.

Of course, the real pre-show entertainment was watching just how much the 
crowd members were enjoying reliving their youth.

The fact Def Leppard is still playing is not good for the ozone layer, as it 
was obvious a number of women had pulled out their aerosol cans of Aquanet to 
add '80s-style volume to their hair.

A few guys sported mullets or the long hair (one with the help of a wig) of 
the era, but there were a lot of ball caps hiding receding hairlines.

Unlike some rock acts from that decade, Def Leppard has not been reduced to 
nothing but a tribute act to their former selves. The new songs were 
enthusiastically received, maintaining the guitar riffs and touches of 
harmony fans love, while adding some new twists.

But it was the faithful recreation of hits such as Pour Some Sugar on Me, 
Animal, Rocket, Photograph and Foolin' that brought the crowd to their feet.
Their rendition of Bringin' on the Heartbreak - a song pop princess Mariah 
Carey is currently butchering on radio waves - showed why fans are still 
willing to come out to hear songs infused with fun and energy.

There were some technical sound problems, as the group's vocals sounded muddy 
- unclear even for a guitar-driven, rock act like Def Leppard. Lead singer 
Joe Elliott's raw, commanding vocals are a key element to what makes their 
songs work.

Who cares if a substantial number of people in the front rows were wearing 
earplugs? It wasn't their generation who said, "If it's too loud, you're too 
old."

Def Leppard isn't ashamed of their '80s roots, so why should the fans be?
The music acts as a soundtrack to the party lifestyle, and nobody is under 
the illusion that they are going to walk away a deeper, better person for 
having heard it.

They came to have a good time. And that's what they got.


Heather Persson is the editor of the Salmon Arm Observer. 
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