http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/53714.htm

A HOT SPOT FOR DEF FANS
By DAN AQUILANTE

July 31, 2002 -- DESPITE their 10-year hiatus from any Manhattan stage, 
Def Leppard's showcase concert at Irving Plaza Monday demonstrated how 
tight a grip these pop metallurgists still have on their fans.

Although the 90-minute concert was to celebrate the band's new record, 
"X," released earlier this week, the performance was a fan-appreciation 
event that was almost totally gleaned from the Leppard catalogue.

In fact, the quintet from Sheffield, England, only polished one song, 
"Now," from "X." Too bad, considering it's a pretty good disc.

Led by singer Joe Elliott, the band was cautious with the program, culling 
a set of greatest hits concentrating on tunes from Leppard's big records 
like "Hysteria," "Pyromania" and "Adrenalize."

Metal music is usually the realm of macho, but at this show, it was a 
50/50 guys 'n' gals mix.

The crowd stood belly-to-back, shoulder-to-shoulder in the packed and 
steamy club and sang every word that Elliott screamed in his Mod-Rod rasp.

The fans went wild when the guys stuttered their way through 
a-fa-fa-"Foolin'."

It was here that drummer Rick Allen (who lost his left arm in an auto 
accident in '85) proved his worth, with outstanding turbo-drive 
percussions that refitted the tune with a proper metal treatment.

Even though this wasn't a stadium show, the Leppard boys were obviously 
nervous.

But soon the guitar interchanges between Phil Collin and Vivian Campbell 
had the necessary crunch, and the harmonies, while shaky for Carnegie 
Hall, carried the perfect degree of rowdy passion for this little rock 
club gig.

The band will return to New York later this year - maybe then they'll 
bring a few new tunes.