Styx/Foreigner/Def Leppard, Nissan Pavillion

"Styx sounds just like their record," said the man sitting next to me on the curb, sipping from his $10 beer.  "I don't know how old you are," he continued, gesticulating my way with his cigarette, "but in the late 80s/early 90s, Def Leppard sounded just like their record too.  Foreigner though. Foreigner KICKED ASS." After seeing these three bands play, I would have to agree with this man's statement.  I asked him and his group of "rock: it keeps me young" 50 somethings a few more questions about three of the most influential rock bands of all time.  The man's wife, a cute blonde from somewhere in England stumbled towards me and exclaimed "Oh, Def Leppard!  I'm only seeing them 'cos I'm British!"  We then had an interesting conversation about Journey (#3 on my list of Top 20 Favorite Bands) and their apparent difficulty to hold onto a lead singer.  "We saw them open for Def Leppard on their last tour and quite frankly, it felt like karaoke!  They had a subt for a subt for a sub for Joe Perry!"  It was at this point I realized I should probably leave them to their beer, seeing as how she mistakenly tagged Aerosmith's lead guitarist for Steve Perry, the man who IS Journey.  But I digress. 

They were right about Foreigner.  They gave a fantastic performance.  Even from the lawn, it felt good to be among the crowd singing "Cold as Ice" and "Juke Box Hero."  There were some rad sax solos and a few blinding flashes of white light as frontman Kelly Hansen ran back and forth across the stage.  To be honest, this was the band I had most look forward to seeing.  And I wasn't disappointed. 

Def Leppard did indeed sound like their record, which I maintain is a good thing.  I didn't realize how many members there were and how good they were at their craft.  The guitarists would stealthily switch stage sides with each other, giving the crowd even more cause to screech as they posed with dramatic flair.  Joe Elliot, the lead singer, would not stand still and I had trouble capturing him as he flounced his way up and down the runway, rubbing shoulders with Phil Collen, Vivian Campbell, and Rick Savage.  This was also the band made famous for their one-armed drummer, Rick Allen, who quite awesomely kicked the crap out of his drumkit. 
They were good performers, that's for sure.  When I see bands like this perform that have been around for ages and still give good shows, it makes me wonder what current bands are comparable with that stamina and talent.  I surely hope that these guys don't stop because it wasn't a disappointing show in the least.

Comments

[A Pandora Bracelet]

Now we know why the gov makes the stupid statements he has in the past. Sarah Palin is qualified to be President? Maybe of the Barbie Club!