http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/113/story/123777.html

Def Leppard tops bill at rocking show
Published: Friday, April 04, 2008

By SCOTT CRONICK Staff Writer, 609-272-7017

ATLANTIC CITY – After Ace Frehley, Edgar Winter and Rick Derringer rocked the 
House of Blues Thursday night, '70s and '80s nostalgia weekend continued Friday 
night at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa with a triple bill of REO Speedwagon, Styx 
and Def Leppard.

Before Borgata came to town, these three acts would easily headline on their 
own. In other words, the fans got their money's worth on Friday night.

The sold-out concert may have been the biggest arsenal of hits released on 
Atlantic City in one night. Of the 33 songs performed throughout the evening, 
not only were 23 of them hits, they were absolute smashes. Instead of 
unnecessarily prolonging the night with obscurities, openers Styx and REO both 
played tight 50-minute sets - mostly full of Top 10 charters.

The evening began with REO, which proved it hasn't lost a thing when it comes 
to mastering the rock ballad. Starting with "Don't Let Him Go" and eventually 
offering classic rock radio staples like "Take It On the Run," "Can't Fight 
This Feeling," "Time for Me to Fly" and "Keep on Lovin' You," REO sounded 
phenomenal, particularly lead singer Kevin Cronin's crisp vocals, which haven't 
diminished at all. Even "Find Your Way Home," from the band's latest album, 
sounded great in an Eagles kind of way.

Like most bands, REO's songs rocked harder live, propelled by guitarist Dave 
Amato's stellar fret work. Anyone who arrived late certainly missed out.

Not as impressive but entertaining nonetheless was Styx. No longer touring with 
founder Dennis DeYoung, guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw has assumed leadership of 
the band, which showed off a diverse setlist ranging from the funky "Renegade" 
to the progressive "Grand Illusion" to the poppy "Too Much Time On My Hands." A 
very over-the-top group when it comes to performing, Styx really had the crowd 
going with a theatrical rendition of "Come Sail Away," but "Miss America" 
certainly fell flat.

After a commendable quick set change, Def Leppard took the stage for a 17-song 
performance that had the crowd standing throughout.

With a great light show and three large video screens behind the band plus two 
more on the side, the production was top notch, but a tad too loud.

Seeing a Def Leppard concert is like attending a giant '80s singalong. Nearly 
every song is a rock anthem, including the opener "Rocket," "Armageddon It," 
"Pour Some Sugar On Me" and "Animal." Def Leppard's setlist mostly features 
songs that ruled the charts at one time or another, including "Let's Get 
Rocked," "Foolin'," "Bringin' On the Heartbreak," "Photograph" and "Hysteria." 
But the band did pull out some tunes for diehard fans, including "Mirror 
Mirror," an acoustic version of "Two Steps Behind" and the instrumental "Switch 
625," which showed off the fine abilities of guitarists Vivian Campbell and 
Phil Collen, who has one of the coolest guitars on the planet, imprinted with 
Bela Legosi's image.

Def Leppard even played its new single, "Nine Lives," off the band's 
forthcoming album, "Songs from the Sparkle Lounge." While not an instant 
classic, it is a solid tune.

Lead singer Joe Elliott remains a great frontman despite the fact that his 
voice sometimes can't hit the notes it used to. He really struggled on "Rock of 
Ages" and "Love Bites." Luckily, the band's abundance of flawless harmonies 
covered some of the singer's deficiencies.

The promoter who put this tour together knew what he was doing. All three acts 
seemed very appreciated by the crowd, a concert rarity.

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