Nostalgia - and a turn toward minimalism BY MELISSA RUGGIERI TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER Sep 25, 2000 MUSIC REVIEW DEF LEPPARD AT: Classic Amphitheatre, last night Few bands have endured bad luck and personal hardships like Def Leppard. But, 20 years of surviving accidents (which claimed an arm of drummer Rick Allen in 1984) and death (of guitarist Steve Clark in 1991), the Lep rocks. About 7,500 die-hard fans filled the Classic Amphitheatre last night (news flash: actual people in seats at a Richmond concert) as Def Leppard ripped through nearly two hours of greatest hits. Though singer Joe Elliott's vocals were poorly mixed - his highest screeches overpowered by guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell and the backing vocals of bassist Rick Savage - he maintains his status as a terrific rock frontman. Prowling the stage in a groovy black velvet overcoat, Elliott waved his microphone stand, jumping jacked up Allen's steel drum riser and stimulated the effervescent crowd to pump fists to the opening "Rock Rock ('Til You Drop)." Though its glory days brought in-the-round staging and laser extravaganzas, Lep 2K is about minimalism. Aside from stacks of amplifiers and streamlined lights, the only thing begging for attention on stage was the quintet from Sheffield, England. For a band that relies so much on layered studio wizardry, it was impressive how closely songs such as "Women" and the sublime title track to 1987's landmark "Hysteria" were duplicated. Always a few rungs higher on the spandex ladder based on its musical talent, Def Leppard reminded naysayers just how good it is with the still- scorching "Photograph" and "Rock of Ages," with drumming wonder Allen giving the cowbell due attention. Even though Def Leppard has a new album to promote - last year's return- to-the-roots "Euphoria" - the only song it performed from the disc was the three-part-harmony "Promises." The rest of the night focused on nostalgia. When Campbell plucked the opening notes to (fa-fa-fa) "Foolin,' " out came the lighters, and soon, the obligatory acoustic set, featuring Elliott on acoustic guitar for "Two Steps Behind" and "Bringin' On The Heartbreak" (remember that cheap video?). Although "Pour Some Sugar On Me" has eclipsed Def Leppard's better songs to become its blatantly most popular (and hasn't Shania Twain recorded it recently?), longtime fans no doubt exited the concert vowing "Long live rock'n'roll." Contact Melissa Ruggieri at (804) 649-6120 or mruggieri@timesdispatch.com Richmond Times-Dispatch © 2000, Richmond Newspapers Inc.