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Def Leppard Makes Us Glad We Can Hear
Written by ALANA GRELYAK / Photos by LYLE A. WAISMAN
Tuesday, 03 July 2007

Sex appeal and musicianship abounded as veteran band Def Leppard took the stage 
in their twenty-seventh year together. Headlining a triple-billed concert with 
Foreigner and Styx, Def Leppard clearly knew what they were doing and had a 
hell of a time doing it.

A packed audience, peppered with Union Jack t-shirts, nearly exploded out of 
the arena as the British metal band took the stage for only the third night on 
a tour that will last until October. Lead singer Joe Elliott honestly looked 
better than ever and his voice, sans for one omitted high note in "Photograph," 
matched his outer appearance. His voice had power and range and it clearly 
evoked plenty of emotion from his band members and from the audience alike. 
Opening with "Rocket," followed up by "Animal," Def Leppard played all of the 
hits they are famous for, even throwing in "Mirror, Mirror (Look Into My Eyes)" 
and "Another Hit and Run," from their 1981 album "High and Dry," which Elliott 
proudly announced that they hadn't performed since 1983. They didn't pull out 
any brand new songs but instead chose to let the audience reminisce about the 
80s and 90s, times when Def Leppard were at the height of their fame and most 
of the audience at the height of its youth.

Making full use of the catwalk, Elliott frequently leaned out into the 
audience, slapping hands and making eye contact with fans. His outfits changed 
almost as frequently as songs, seemingly refreshing Elliott and his voice every 
few minutes. The rest of the band kept up with their singer, in sound and in 
appearance. Drummer Rick Allen played barefoot in his characteristic way, while 
guitarist Phil Collen ripped off his shirt after the opening song, exposing a 
well-muscled upper body that should have belonged to a man half his age. Vivian 
Campbell, the band's other guitarist (who joined in 1992, shortly after the 
death of original guitarist Steve Clark) sported a frilly shirt cut to the 
navel, and later, joined Collen in all his bare-chested glory. Rick Savage 
merely looked his age but his personality cut through in his playing.

These guys, after almost three decades of togetherness, were more than 
impressive in their tightness of sound and ensemble. There were no fireworks or 
explosives used on stage, but the show lacked absolutely nothing. All the 
members of Def Leppard were in full form, captivating the audience with their 
charm, eye contact, and musical prowess. Fans were even treated to an acoustic 
version of "Two Steps Behind," and a half acoustic, half electric version of 
"Bringin' On the Heartache," the boys picking up their electric instruments at 
just the right moment to make the song bring goose bumps to the arms of all in 
attendance.

In comparison to their last appearance in Chicago in 2006 with Journey, which 
was definitely a great show, this show was still more amazing than a fan could 
have ever dreamed to hope for. Def Leppard took their bows on the catwalk after 
the encore "Rock of Ages," bowing to the crowd, mostly half-naked and 
completely sexy. They shook hands, slapped hands, and waved to the crowd. Yours 
truly even got a special point and acknowledgement from gorgeous Vivian 
Campbell (who wouldn't wave at a girl frantically and repeatedly screaming "I 
love you, Vivian!" for most of the show?). After a performance like this, Def 
Leppard is welcome back to Chicago anytime.

Foreigner opened up for Def Leppard, though many people were not in their seats 
to hear them, followed up by Styx, who delivered a performance that their fans 
seemed to enjoy. It was solid, although a bit strange, mainly due to the 
keyboardist who was a cross between the lead singers of Enuff Z'nuff and Rush 
and Joan Jett. Oddly enough, they didn't play "Mr. Roboto" at all.

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