Concert review: Def Leppard delivers unforgettable night of high-voltage rock

Wednesday night’s Def Leppard concert had all the elements of a great rock show; animal print, leather, spandex leggings, lots of hair swishing, and that was just the audience.

By the time the five-member band took the Arena stage and launched into “Let’s Go,” the packed crowd was indeed ready to “Let it rock. Let it roll.”

The band’s three-month North American tour kicked off April 8 in New Hampshire, and Spokane fans saw them last in 2015.

Formed in Sheffield, England, in 1977, Def Leppard crested the new wave of British heavy metal bands. Their biggest commercial success came with the albums “Pyromania” in 1983 and “Hysteria” in 1987, but the band is still releasing chart-topping hits. Their self-titled album released in 2015, debuted at number 10 on the Billboard 200 in the U.S. and spawned two hit singles – “Dangerous,” and “Let’s Go.”

Not bad for a band whose members are on the shady side of 50.

“Who was alive in 1977?” lead singer, Joe Elliott, 57, asked Wednesday.

The answer? Most of the crowd, if the screaming, foot-stamping reaction was any gauge.

Regardless of age, when guitarist Phil Collen, 59, took off his leather vest as he’s known to do, and finished the show shirtless, his ripped abs put many 20-year-olds to shame.

The crowd was already ramped up and raring to go thanks to a set by Tesla, a heavy metal band out of Sacramento.

When lead singer Jeff Keith said, “Cowboys and cowgirls saddle up and let’s ride!” before belting out “Modern Day Cowboy,” the audience roared its approval. But they saved truly ear-shattering screams for Poison.

This tour marks the first time in five years that Poison is touring with all original members, including Bret Michaels, CC DeVille, Bobby Dall, and Rikki Rockett, and the group proved to be a huge crowd favorite.

“We’re here with zero political message,” said Michaels. “We’re dedicating our show to the men and women of our armed forces who gave us the freedom to party.”

Though Michaels’ vocals were a bit wobbly at times, he got lots of audience love, especially from the sign-waving women in the front row.

“Your Mama Don’t Dance,” had folks on their feet, and cellphones flickered and waved when they wrapped up their set with “Every Rose Has Its Thorns.”

But the main attraction remained Def Leppard who performed a whopping 17 songs against a showy backdrop screen that alternately displayed old videos and new graphics.

Legendary one-armed, barefoot drummer, Rick Allen, rocked with amazing energy and Elliott’s vocals still hit the mark.

And the audience had plenty of staying power, too. After four hours of rocking, they were still on their feet, belting out “Pour Some Sugar on Me,” with the band.

The double encore of “Rock of Ages” and “Photograph” led to even more screams of approval.

As Elliott prepared to exit, he said, “Till next time and there will be a next time don’t forget us and we won’t forget you!”

He needn’t worry. After 40 years of delivering high-voltage rock ’n’ roll anthems and power ballads to their adoring fans, Def Leppard is simply unforgettable.