Rock bands Tesla and REO Speedwagon served as their opening acts, where they were able to warm up the stage for Def Leppard.
Joe Elliott began his set with the mid-tempo rocking “Let’s Go” and it was followed by “Animal” and “Let It Go.” He introduced “Dangerous” as a song off their self-titled new album. Equally memorable were “Foolin'” and their No. 1 ballad “Love Bites,” which featured the lyrics on the giant televised screen. “Armageddon It” was the fan-favorite from their first half of their show.
Elliott paid tribute to actor and singer David Essex by singing “Rock On,” as he wore a hat, and he continued with “Man Enough” and the uptempo “Rocket,” which fared well with the crowd. Midway through their set, Elliott gave a shout out to Joe Perry (from Aerosmith and Hollywood Vampires) for a speedy recovery.
After “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak,” four members (Phil Collen, Rick Savage, Vivian Campbell and Rick Allen) delivered a killer instrumental performance of “Switch 625,” with a killer drum solo ending by Rick Allen, which earned him a standing ovation. The highlight vocal of the evening was their live rendition of “Hysteria,” which featured archived footage of the band in their earlier days, thus adding nostalgia to their show.
They asked their Long Island fans a question, if they were ready to get rocked, and the consensus was yes. Def Leppard continued with “Let’s Get Rocked.” They closed with their signature song, “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” and judging from the audience’s raucous reaction, it felt as if it were the national anthem of rock.
For their encore, they noted that each time they come to Jones Beach, the crowd enthusiasm grows bigger and bigger. They immediately broke into their chart-topping rock hits “Rock of Ages” and “Photograph,” as they gave the Jones Beach Theater an unforgettable night of live music to remember.
The Verdict
Overall, Def Leppard gets better with age. They shared that they have been performing in New York for 36 years, and their music is as relevant now as it was in the early ’80s. Joe Elliott’s vocals were solid and timeless, and Phil Collen looked as good as ever and nailed the electric guitar. Savage was all about the bass, and he killed it. It was great to see Vivian Campbell in good health again, and Rick Allen is a miracle worker with his indomitable spirit. They belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their live show at Jones Beach earned 5 out of 5 stars.
