Leppard’s Roar Echoes Through Hollywood: A Timeless Celebration of Rock and Roll at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood.

August 9th, 2024

If cats truly have nine lives, then Def Leppard is the epitome of that statement. Overcoming adversity, loss, and great success, they have remained one of the staples in rock-and-roll history. An early darling of the fledgling MTV Music Television network (debuting in 1981), Leppard was on heavy rotation for most of the first years of the network. Their videos played at least twice an hour, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Making the group not only one of the most popular but lucrative rock bands in history. They have sold over 120 million albums worldwide, played over 2500 shows, and have been inducted into the Rock-And-Roll Hall of Fame. Not too shabby for the lads from Sheffield, England.

This evening in Hollywood, Florida, at the Hard Rock Live, a sold-out Def Leppard performance was in order. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of their history-making album, Pyromania, and their current Stadium Tour, everyone was ready to get rocked. The first thing you noticed was the floor (no-seating) in front of the stage. The VIP Access was standing room only, literally. It reminded me of the ole-fashioned mosh pit from back in the day. For those of you too young to know the reference, Google it. Center stage itself projected into the VIP Access audience, giving the rest of us a closer look at the band once they ventured out. The multi-generational audience consisted of old-time rock-and-rollers, the eighties set (it’s a good thing they saved their wardrobe—spandex, frills, and all), and the diehard Leppard faithful (clad in Leppard concert t-shirts from every era). The show’s production was in a futuristic vein. Fifteen minutes before showtime, a pyro clock appeared on the video screens, signaling the countdown to liftoff. Two minutes and counting, the projection video behind the stage played an amazing sequence of the ‘mothership’ coming into dock at the Hard Rock Live itself. Alien, possibly, Terminator, definitely. Whatever the take, it was very cool and unique.

Kicking off their set was the classic, “Rock Rock (Till You Drop),” and it was clear to see the band was in fine form. Joe Elliot was in great voice. Recently celebrating his 65th birthday, the silver-maned frontman commanded the stage like a maestro conducting an orchestra. Many times, during the show, he led the audience in sing-alongs. Not that we needed much encouragement. Vivian Campbell and Phil Collen on guitars and backing vocals struck every note with precision and a rock sensibility of ‘take no prisoners’ guitar riffs and solos. Rick Savage on bass held the beat with finesse and power. Rick Allen on drums, the Thunder God, was solid as ever, smiling throughout the entire set. I watched you on the screen, Rick. You were having the time of your life, and it showed.

The setlist for the show was heavy on the hits, with a couple of new tunes thrown in. “Rocket,” “Armageddon It,” “Animal,” and “Love Bites,” all from Hysteria, released in 1987, brought back the best rock music has to offer. I can still visualize all the videos released that I watched over and over. Iconic doesn’t begin to describe their influence on the music scene. The handful of gems from “Pyromania” garnered the loudest and most frenzied response. Classics, “Foolin’,” “Rock of Ages,” and “Photograph” were monstrous. “Two Steps Behind” was a highlight of the show as Elliot took center stage with guitar in hand. Speaking of guitar, the band’s acoustic version of “This Guitar,” with all members taking the front together in a circle, was certainly memorable. Of course, no Leppard show would be complete without the encore of “Hysteria” and “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” One could feel the rafters of the Hard Rock Live shake. For those who believe ‘rock is dead,’ it’s clear they’ve never seen Def Leppard live in concert. Rock is alive and well and is riding shotgun with the band.