12/11/05 - VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE, IRVINE, CA

Review by George A Paul (Orange County Register Newspaper):

'80s rockers still a force
Def Leppard and Bryan Adams rock Verizon Wireless
Amphitheater in the final 2005 show at the venue.

Def Leppard, Bryan Adams
Where: Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Irvine
When: Nov. 12

During the '90s, when grunge and punk ruled the rock radio roost, many people considered Def Leppard anonentity. Yet the longstanding pop-metal band continued to receive moderate airplay, tour extensively and expand its fan base.

Now a younger generation has evidently rediscovered the British group's insanely catchy tunes. Last spring, a new Def Leppard career retrospective, "Rock of Ages: the Definitive Collection," debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 chart and is approaching platinum sales. Meanwhile, the classic single "Pour Some Sugar on Me" was recently certified as a gold digital download.

This co-headlining tour with Bryan Adams - which started in June and ended Saturday in Irvine - might have seemed an odd fit, but the pair actually have a few things in common. Both arena rockers are marking the 25th anniversary of their debut albums, got their first taste of success in 1983, once shared a producer in "Mutt" Lange, and have had big hit ballads.

On a chilly night at the packed Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Def Leppard immediately heated things up with the Sweet's "Action" (from rarities disc "Retroactive"). And singer Joe Elliott prowled the stage as guitarist Phil Collen let it rip on the first of several amazing displays of prowess with shredding foil Vivian Campbell. Each solo was rapturously received by the boisterous crowd.

"This venue means a lot to us," Elliott said about Orange County's continued support. "The first time we played here was with Billy Squier in '83. There were always more people here for us than anywhere else. We even filmed part of the 'Two Steps Behind' video here."

The 16-song, 90-minute set, bolstered by dazzling visual and lighting effects, leaned heavily on rockers, particularly from 1987's hugely successful "Hysteria." Elliott's husky voice sounded road weary at times, but his unbridled enthusiasm and bandmates' three-part harmonies more than made up for it.

Standouts included "Foolin'," the call-and-response roar during "Armageddon It," an eerie take on David Essex's "Rock On" and a poppy version of Badfinger's "No Matter What" (both due on next year's covers album), the tribal-beat-driven "Rocket" (ably held down by one-armed drummer Rick Allen), "Photograph" and a monstrous encore, "Bringin' on the Heartbreak." Still a force to be reckoned with, Def Leppard closed Verizon's 2005 season on a high note.

Adams initially had to deal with an indifferent, mostly seated audience, but quickly won it over. Although he also has a new career overview in stores, the 80-minute performance was skewed toward 1984's chart-topping "Reckless."

Clad in requisite blue jeans and T-shirt and in fine raspy vocal form, the age-defying Canadian opened with "Room Service," the percolating title track to his recent studio effort. "Open Road," another new one, was driven by haunting keyboards that recalled set closer "Run to You."

Lead guitarist Keith Scott (at Adams' side since the early days) proved masterful, especially on the bluesy "18 'Til I Die," rollicking "Can't Stop This Thing We Started," rarely played "Hearts On Fire" and joyous, feedback-laden "Summer of '69."

Onstage, there was a strong sense of camaraderie between Scott, veteran Adams drummer Mickey Curry and their boss. When Scott took over the Tina Turner role on a sizzling "It's Only Love," he and Adams jokingly tried to outdo each other. Some of the ballads and mid-tempo numbers were iffy ("Heaven," "Somebody," "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You," but overall,
Adams delivered an engaging performance.

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Review by Lara Aria:
It was a very long walk to the gig, but great exercise. Me & my friend got to the 10th row. I hind my camera in my bra & then afterward, I took it out. And then Ricky Warick came out & sing, & then my friend started screaming, cause of Mr. Warick. Then shortly later, me & my friend moved 4 row down from where I was seating to get a better view. Around 7:35, Bryan came on & looked soooooooooo GREAT! He started with Room Service & later me & my friend moved again, we moved near the pitt. Shortly later I stood up & dance & sing to 18 Ti I Die. My friend were standing on the stairs in the middle where Bryan was & then I decided to moved too. I did move, then I wave my arm again. Bryan was looking at me again & I flirted with Bryan again, this time I blew him a kiss. Song after song, I was singing & dancing so I could get more attention. For WYG, Bryan looked at me or my friend, but the woman next to my friend got it, I really think she got it, cause she was skinny & a blonde. When she got on stage, she told Bryan that she was married. And her husband was taking pics. She got to hug Bryan, after the song Bryan gave her backstage passes. When Bryan played It's Only Love, he said the song is feauting Keith Scott, & then it was a completion between Bryan & Keith & with their guitars. They were both great. Its was funny, when Keith played, Bryan played louder, it looked like two little boys fighting. The last song was Run to You, & then I was Sad that it was over. a.

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Pictures by Kelly Swift and Lara Aria

Bryan on guitar