Their best song was the 4 minute version of "Rocket" back in 88.
Joe Elliott turns 66 today.
Flame away.
“Def Leppard”? I’d call that my “Z List.” Or maybe my “Zero List” since I’ve never heard any of their music.
I saw them last year in Nashville and they were still rockin’.
I saw them May 16th, 1983 at Municipal Auditorium in Nashville. The opening acts were Jon “Butcher” Axis, and Krokus (who were GREAT).
It was a good show! I’ve not felt the need to see them since.
When I go to see a famous band, I want to hear their famous songs. None of this “Here’s some new stuff we’ve been working on.”
Of course your mileage may vary.
They are in my top 5. Actually, top 3. Last saw them in 96.
The big hits can be a trap. It’s worse if it’s a song they don’t like. Quiet Riot didn’t even want to record Cum On Feel the Noise, then they got stuck playing it every single night. Some artists can get away with just playing whatever they want, but that usually requires having a big catalog in many different styles so “that song” is sometimes just not a good fit. Zappa wouldn’t take a band on the road until they could play 3 shows of material with no repeats, he hated grinding songs. Devo has had a couple “deep tracks” tours, largely to avoid playing Whip It which they kind of hate. Jethro Tull periodically rearrange the unavoidable songs like Aqualung just to keep it interesting to play.
Surviving having a signature hit is a challenge nobody warns bands about.
It's clearly Def Leppard.
I have a grudging admiration for the musicians who refuse to play their hits. Good luck hearing “Brown Eyed Girl” or “Moondance” or “Domino” at a Van Morrison show. Mr Morrison’s attitude for his audience is basically “eff you, I’m not a juke box. I play what I want.” On the one hand, it’s a sucky attitude in terms pleasing the customers who put food on your table. On the other hand, refusing to be a trained seal pandering to others’ tastes (even in their admiration for your own earlier work) is a remarkable statement of artistic and personal autonomy.
I didn't like the over-produced sound of their fourth album "Hysteria" but that album propelled them into the stratosphere and made the band richer than their wildest dreams so what do I know?
Same for Mötley Crüe. Loved their first two albums and then the band said, "Let's sound like Poison and get rich!" And so they did.
I was a limo driver in the late ‘80s and had them in the car leaving a concert in Allentown Pa. Very professional guys. They were talking sound checks and what to do better for the next gig. I wasn’t a huge fan but after that conversation they earned my respect for their professionalism.
Poor Ram-Jam, forced by their own fans/rioters to sing their only hit, concert after concert, year after year, decade after decade...
Like AC/DC, they were better before Mutt Lange ruined them.
I enjoy going to see these old rockers, though I have not seen Def Leppard yet. Going to see Rod Stewart with Cheap Trick in a few weeks, and I can understand how they have to prioritize their set list. I wonder if they ever get tired of playing the same songs over and over, but then again, no matter what job you have, doing the same thing over and over is boring, but you get used to it. In that sense, accounting is probably no different than rock and roll!
Three songs get my slithering
Pour Some Sugar On Me
Getting Hot in Here by Nelly
Stray Cat Blues by Stones
All get her on the dance floor in lower Broad
Makes me happy and her concupiscent
It’s a good thing
Reminds me of a friend in high school, who was the biggest REO Speedwagon fan, always wore their T-Shirts (like Billy Madison).
Until Hi Infidelity came out. Then he stopped wearing the shirts, and when I asked why, he said, “I’m never listening to them again, they turned into a ‘chick band’”
Saw them in the early 80’s too in Providence, RI at the Performing Arts Center, opening for The Blizzard of Ozz. 4th row, right center. Def Leppard were still youngsters then, but put on a great show. Ozzy was fantastic, picking up Randy Rhoads while he was playing and carrying him around the stage, Randy never missing a beat. One of my top 5 shows that I’ve been to
Recently, Def Leppard performed in Tuscaloosa. I would have loved to attend that show.
No flames here. Speaking as someone who came of age in the 80’s, Def Leppard were one of my favorites.
I’m happy that they are still touring and, judging by some YouTube videos of their recent shows , still sound great.
Duran Duran, with whom I was completely obsessed, are also still going strong.
That’s what happens when you’re a nostalgia act. You’re on a Greatest Hits tour, nobody wants to hear “Slang”.