Def Leppard with special guests Styx and Tesla at the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater

Def Leppard with special guests Styx and Tesla
Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
Wantagh, NY
July 23, 2015

Def Leppard is a band of survivors. The English rock group was formed in 1977 and at the time featured Rick Savage (originally on guitar, later on bass), Tony Kenning on drums, Pete Willis on guitar and Joe Elliot on vocals and occasionally on guitar. In early 1978, guitarist Steve Clark joined the band. Legend has it that his place in the band was sealed when during his audition he played a spot-on version of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird." Later that year, Rick Allen (who at the time was only 15-years-old) replaced Kenning behind the drum kit. It was during this time that the band recorded and released a three song EP called The Def Leppard EP (Bludgeon-Riffola, 1979). One track, "Getcha Rocks Off" (later re-recorded and re-titled as "Rocks Off"), got many spins on BBC Radio courtesy of the legendary DJ, John Peel. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Def Leppard's debut album, On Through the Night (Mercury Records), was released in 1980. Its second Mercury Records LP, High 'n' Dry (1981) was produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange, who had made his bones producing AC/DC. In July of 1992, during the recording of the band's third album, Pyromania (Mercury Records, 1982), Phil Collen replaced Willis (who had been fired due to excessive drinking while on the job).

Pyromania was a huge worldwide hit. Its lead single, "Photograph," became the most requested video on MTV. Follow-up singles "Rock Of Ages" and "Foolin'" became rock radio staples. The album has been certified Diamond by the RIAA, selling in excess of 10 million copies in the United States, alone.

In 1984, the band relocated to Dublin, becoming tax exiles, and started writing its fourth album. On New Year's Eve 1984, tragedy struck. Drummer Rick Allen lost his left arm in a car crash. Allen remained committed to Def Leppard and to this day remains behind the skins using his legs to do some of the drumming that he had previously done with his arms. In 1987, following three years of recording, Hysteria (Mercury Records) was finally released. Its first single "Animal," went to the Top 10 in the UK (peaking at number 6). In the U.S., "Animal" began the band's string of ten consecutive Top 40 Billboard singles. The Hysteria album went to number 1 on the U.S. charts and placed seven singles on the U.S. Hot 100: "Women" (#80), "Animal" (#19), "Hysteria" (#10), "Pour Some Sugar On Me" (#2), "Love Bites" (#1), "Armageddon It" (#3), and "Rocket" (#12).

During the recording of Def Leppard's fifth album, Adrenalize (Mercury Records, 1992), Steve Clark's alcoholism worsened and he was in and out of rehab. In an effort to allow him to clean-up his act, he was granted a six-month leave of absence from the band. Unfortunately, in January of 1991, Clark died from an accidental mix of prescription drugs and alcohol. At this point, the remaining band members chose to continue the recording of the album as a four-piece (Collen handled Clark's guitar duties as well as his own). When Adrenalize was released, it entered both the UK and U.S. charts at number one. Its first single, "Let's Get Rocked," was a smash hit, and was nominated for MTV's Best Video of the Year.

From late 1991 through early 1992, the band auditioned guitarists. Vivian Campbell, formerly of Dio and Whitesnake, was chosen to replace Clark. Since 1992, the band has consisted of Savage (bass), Elliott (lead vocals), Allen (drums), Collen (guitar), and Campbell. This is the band's longest continuous line-up.

Def Leppard's has sold over 100 million records (worldwide) and have released numerous, gold, platinum and diamond certified albums. VH1 ranked them as number 70 in its "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" countdown. Additionally, the cable network placed the band at number 31 in its "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock" ranking.

July 23, 2015 was a warm, but pleasant day on Long Island. At the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, that evening, a cool breeze was blowing and the audience was milling about in anticipation of the triple-billed show that they were about to see. Though the weather was temperate, the show they wound up seeing, at the outdoor arena was hot.

Telsa, who have been recording since the '80s, was up first. Since its inception, the band has racked up record sales of 14 million-plus albums. As soon as the band (Jeff Keith on vocals, Frank Hannon on guitar, bassist Brian Wheat, guitarist Dave Rude and Troy Luccketta on drums) appeared on stage, the audience members quickly scurried to their seats. Those who were caught unaware, grabbed the seat in closest proximity. As the mid-sized arena filled, the squatters quickly moved and eventually wound up in their assigned seats. Telsa performed for approximately 45 minutes. Its abbreviated set included "Signs," the cover of Five Man Electrical Band's song released on its breakthrough CD, Five Man Acoustical Jam (Geffen Records, 1990) as well as the fan favorites "Love Song" and "Little Suzie." The strong performance opened with powerful versions of "Edison's Medicine" and a blistering "Hang Tough." Following "Heaven's Trail," Keith announced that, "It's been 28 years and we're still kicking fucking ass!" Tesla's evening ended on a high note with "Modern Day Cowboy" and a standing ovation.

After a very brief intermission, Styx took the stage. Darkness was beginning to descent upon the beach and with the half-moon now visible above the stage, the band's one-hour set opened with Lawrence Gowan handling the vocals on "The Grand Illusion." Following a muscular version of "Too Much Time On My Hands," guitarist Tommy Shaw stepped forward and announced, "We're having us a rock show at Jones Beach tonight. They're still in the house; let's give a big round of applause to Tesla! They were fantastic!" Switching gears following the applause that filled the arena, Shaw continued, "We're not going anywhere until you show some love to our original bassist, Mr. Chuckie Pannozzo!" Panozzo, bass slung over his shoulder, appeared on stage. He and the band (bassist Ricky Phillips smoothly switched to double neck guitar for this song) then thrilled the crowd by delivering a note-perfect rendition of "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man).

The hits kept coming: "Miss America" was followed by "Lady." The fiery version of "Blue Collar Man" was introduced by Gowan who stated, How you doing New York? I know what you're thinking...when Captain Thomas Jones found this bay, he thought to himself, 'one day there will be a great amphitheater here.' He had no idea that the legendary James Young would be standing right over there to my left. Let's hear it for James Young!"). Following "Blue Collar Man," Gowan, the showman who often plays his spinning keyboard behind his back while dancing and bopping in-place, was given an opportunity to show off his vocal chops. His medley of "Rocket Man," "Bohemian Rhapsody," and "(Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay" left many in the audience speechless. The main set ended with "Come Sail Away," from The Grand Illusion album (A&M Records, 1977). The song which begins as a ballad, builds to a guitar-driven bombastic second half. On this night as the set closer, it was a frenzy as the band, the audience and most-likely those people sitting in the parking lot (listening to the show for free) were all bopping, singing and rocking-out. The encores, "Rockin' The Paradise," and a breakneck version of Shaw's "Renegade," featured Gowan wearing a fedora while juking and dancing his way across the stage. At its conclusion, the band stepped forward, took its bows and waved to the crowd, as the audience showed it approval with thunderous applause and a standing ovation.

Following an intermission, during which Def Leppard's massive stage set-up was assembled, the stage lights dimmed again and the headliner's introductory music blared from the loudspeakers. The band appeared and got right down to business with a letter-perfect version of "Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)," the opening track from Pyromania. Wasting no time, and with little banter between songs, Def Leppard rolled though hit after hit. "Animal," "Foolin,'" "Promises," and "Love Bites" were all played in short order. While the band played, the neon lightshow flashed behind them and the delighted audience sang along while a number of large beach balls were batted around the orchestra and upper sections. When lead singer Elliot finally did address the crowd, he introduced Campbell (who recently beat cancer) with "all the way from Belfast, Ireland, Make some noise for a very happy and healthy Vivian Campbell!" The audience cheered and the guitarist stepped forward, waved and smiled while the band rolled into a killer version of "Armageddon It." Savage's brawny bass solo morphed into the band's cover of the David Essex classic "Rock On" (which was released on the 2006 Mercury Records/Island Records album Yeah!).

Elliot again addressed the cheering crowd. He said, "That's the Jones Beach we know and love. You guys make a lot of noise which is why we keep coming back here. Thank God, there's no rain here tonight." Rolling his eyes, he continued, "We've been here when that happens." After grabbing an acoustic guitar, he invited the crowd to sing along with the band on "Two Steps Behind." He urged the audience to join in by stating, "If you know it, sing it!" During the performance of the song from 1993's Retro Active (Mercury Records), the other band members stepped off-stage to rest, grab a quick refreshment and towel-off before returning for "Rocket."

The performance continued with "Bringin' On The Heartache" (during which many of the crowd members rose to their feet and swayed to the music and/or danced in the aisles) and the instrumental "Switch 625" (with its thumping bass intro, dueling guitars and strong backbeat). As the song morphed into Allen's mini drum solo, Elliot took the opportunity to slip away and change into less sweaty clothes. He returned for a rousing version of "Hysteria."

Elliot and his cohorts are consummate showman. Def Leppard's ability to take the temperature of its audience has been honed by almost 40 years of performing. It is also helped by the fact that the band has produced an enduring canon of hit songs. It was at this point in the show as it wound down, that the singer stood almost sideways and slyly asked the audience, "Anyway, moving on, do you wanna get rocked?" The audience whipped itself into a frenzy as the band launched itself into "Let's Get Rocked." "Pour Some Sugar On Me" followed. The frenzied audience consisting of mostly forty-somethings and fifty-somethings on their collective feet, were frantically fist-pumping and singing along during both of these favorites. The main set ended and bows were taken.

Depending upon the source cited, either P.T. Barnum, Gyspy Rose Lee or Walt Disney should be given credit for the statement, ''Always leave them wanting more." Many people live by the "golden rule" of saving the best for last. For the encores Def Leppard followed Barnum, Lee and Disney's advice and the kept to the rule. When the band returned to the stage, Elliot turned to Allen and asked, "Rick, are you ready?" Allen responded with the German-sounding nonsense phrase, "gunter glieben glauten globen," which signaled the beginning of "Rock Of Ages." The high energy version of the track from Pyromania, as always, was driven by its catchy melodic hooks and call-and-response audience participation vocals. An electrifying version of "Photograph," (during which many audience members seemed to be lost in their thoughts internally reminiscing and pondering the '80s, while still other relived the decade with their best friends standing right next to them) closed out the performance.

As the audience poured out of the arena, the merchandise stands were crowded with lines that were at least ten deep as fans engaged in retail therapy purchasing t-shirts, posters, music and caps emblazoned with the logos of the bands. Other, more savvy shoppers, were seen in the parking lot purchasing high-quality bootleg t-shirts (featuring the logos of each of the bands on the front and the tour stops/dates on the back).

Photo Credit: Christine Connallon
[Additional article contributions by Christine Connallon].

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