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Def Leppard warms up crowd of all ages at the Fairgrounds

Wednesday, August 27, 2003

By KAT MAIN
The Express-Times

Eighties rock icons Def Leppard proved that their music is the rock of ages
Tuesday night at the Allentown Fairgrounds.

Playing for crowds of mothers, fathers, grandparents and children, the band --
even though a little long in the tooth -- eventually brought the crowd to a
frothing intensity.

Opening with "Let it Rock" from the 1983 record "Pyromania," the hair metal
icons burst on stage with a dizzying light show.

But that wasn't enough to warm up the crowd, at first.

After two songs and a few guitar solos, the crowd of all ages began to pump its
fists and itching hands formed in the traditional rock 'n' roll "devil horn"
salute.

Just when the crowd really started to get pumped, Def Leppard took it down a
notch with it's rock ballad "Bringin' on the Heartbreak" which included an
instrumental departure from Joe Elliott's vocals and a drum solo from Rick
Allen.

Accompanied by his band mates and a brilliant show of lights, Allen's drum kit
appeared as a bright spot of liquid metal on the no frills stage.

Allen showed no sign that his passion for the band's music had diminished.

From there Elliott took a small interlude to thank the crowd for coming.

"It's good to be back in Allentown," he said. Elliot went on to say that he and
the band were sorry that they had missed WZZO's charity soccer game but they
would make it soon and the station should look forward to losing badly.

A hard rocking "Foolin'" followed the interlude with "Hysteria" and "Too late
for Love," rounding out the set.

As the scent of fried food wafted over the crowed on a cool late summer breeze,
the band introduced a song off of their new album "Now."

Titled "X", the new album commemorates the tenth the band has released their 25
years together.

Taking a time out, Elliott also wished his band mate Vivian Campbell a happy
birthday, as two women brought Vivian a cake bright with candles.

Led by Elliot, the crowd serenaded Campbell with "Happy Birthday," as the
guitarist smiled and planted a big kiss on his longtime band mate.

After a few more songs, the band leapt into "Pour Some Sugar on Me," their hit
off of the 1987 album "Hysteria."

Recuperating from the raucous hit, Elliot took time to thank his fans.

"As long as you are still out there, we'll still be up here," he said as he
motioned to the stage.

The band finished with the haunting slower paced "Love Bites," to a crowd that
clearly wanted more.

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