http://www.mlive.com/grpress/entertainment/index.ssf/2008/08/rock_n_roll_excess_rules_with.html

Rock excess rules with Def Leppard, Billy Idol
by Lorilee Craker | The Grand Rapids Press
Saturday August 16, 2008, 12:27 AM

Hedonism was alive and well Friday night as glossy pop-metal outfit Def Leppard 
enthralled about 8,500 blissed-out fanatics at Van Andel Arena. There were 
sweaty, shirtless rockers, show-off-y guitar solos, fans making out and much, 
much more.

What would the queen say about all of this rock 'n 'roll excess? The Brits (and 
one Irishman, Vivian Campbell) did pay homage to HRH at the show's launch, as a 
huge British flag rose in the background to the sounds of "God Save the Queen," 
in stylized, electric guitar format, of course.

"Animal" featured a sideshow of band members morphing into creatures such as 
gorillas and vipers on enormous video screens behind them as they played.

For the first few songs, the sound drowned out some of Lepp's hallmark 
harmonies, which was pretty much the only negative in almost two hours of loud, 
raucous head-banging and shiny pop metal.

"C'mon C'mon" and "Nine Lives," off their new CD, "Songs from the Sparkle 
Lounge," were warmly received by the crowd, maybe because they still bore their 
unmistakable stamp of luscious harmonies, layers of guitar and extra-sharp 
hooks.

The good news is Joe Elliot is as cheeky as ever and still has amazing stamina 
in the vocal department. The guy can hold a strong note for a looong time, as 
he did on "Foolin'."

"Thanks for being so patient," he said, referring to the band's reschedule from 
its original April date. Obviously, his voice, hampered at the time by illness, 
is back in fine form.

During the subdued portion of the evening, he and his amigos came out on the 
catwalk bearing acoustic guitars. Elliot dedicated two softer songs -- "Two 
Steps Behind" and "Bringing on the Heartbreak" -- to Susie Young, the ailing 
wife of James "JY" Young of Styx, and Billy Bob Thornton, the actor/musician, 
in town as well Friday, with whom the band bowled the previous night in GR.

Things got rabble-rousing again soon after; "Photograph" lit the crowd on the 
fire, and just when you thought it was as rowdy as it could get, "Pour Some 
Sugar on Me" stoked everyone anew.

With Elliot's voice in stellar shape, and the shirt-free guitarists Vivian 
Campbell and Phil Collen scorching it up with blazing guitar solos, it was 
clear Def Leppard is on top of its game, and probably will be for many, many 
years to come.

Billy Idol
He came, he sneered, he conquered -- Billy Idol, that is, the ever-belligerent 
punk from England who opened for Lepp and heated the crowd up nicely with his 
hit parade from the '80s.

"Dancing with Myself" had everyone bopping and singing along, while "Flesh for 
Fantasy" gave us pause to contemplate the stunning vintage hair, circa 1984, of 
sensational guitarist Steve Stevens.

While Mr. Billy ran around pumping his fists and sneering, Stevens played his 
guitar with his teeth and behind his back, among other stunts.

Although Idol did misstep when he almost referred to our fair city as "Cedar 
Rapids," he righted himself with the wildly popular selections "White Wedding" 
and "Rebel Yell." 

3 OUT OF 4 STARS
Def Leppard
and Billy Idol
Highlight: "Photograph," Lepp's guiltiest pleasure of all
Low point: When the sound drowned out the band's delish harmonies.
Time onstage: Billy Idol, 75 minutes; Def Leppard, 105 minutes

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