Saw Def Leppard last Saturday

I saw them with Journey earlier in the summer. The group I was with bashed me relentlessly for liking DL more than Journey. I thought both put on a good show. Some people were saying DL seemed like they were just going through the motions - I didn't agree with that at all.

The 2nd half was great, when they played Heartbreak, Hysteria and Love Bites.

First time seeing them - was ecstatic to see Vivian Campbell live for the first time (huge Dio guy here), even though I do miss Steamin' Steve.

I still say DL occupies a very strange niche: I think they are the most commercially successful band (I mean, absolutely TITANIC success) that really has had basically zero influence on music. I don't think I've ever heard another artist cite them as an influence.

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Btw High and Dry is my favorite hard rock album of all time.

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What's your most recommended deep cut off of it? I haven't been that into it over the years.

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that really has had basically zero influence on music.

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They had tremendous influence on the other rock acts of the 1980s, particularly the production techniques used by Mutt Lange for their 3 significant records - High N' Dry, Pyromania and Hysteria.

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I don't think I've ever heard another artist cite them as an influence.

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Because it's not cool. Doesn't mean they had no influence. Bon Jovi, for example, tried to copy everything the boys from Sheffield did for years and years.

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I saw them with Journey earlier in the summer. The group I was with bashed me relentlessly for liking DL more than Journey. I thought both put on a good show. Some people were saying DL seemed like they were just going through the motions - I didn't agree with that at all.

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Most of the reviews of this year's tour seem to knock Journey more than Def Leppard. You may have been with a group of Journey fans. Having said that, this is a perfect show for the Midnight household as Def Leppard is my favorite band and Journey is Mrs. Midnight's favorite band.

I was aware more of the criticism of Journey for this tour going into the show and I have to agree with you - both bands gave very good shows. I recognize that, Pineda aside, the "classic" members of Journey (basically 80% of the Escape group) are all pushing 70, roughly 8 to 10 years older than their Def Leppard counterparts. My only quibble was that the bass was mixed too high, but that's a technical issue. It was worse for Journey's set, but present for both.

We saw Journey 10 years ago (also with Def Leppard), when they were between Augeri and Pineda. I think the current show is better. Pineda has been a real shot in the arm for them, from a kinetic standpoint. Kid has limitless energy.

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I think a lot of newer power metal bands and the new wave of traditional heavy metal guys look up to high and dry and pyro a lot. But as big is hysteria was I don’t think it is something a young hungry band sets out to sounds like.

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That is because dudes liked the stuff up through Pyromania, then chicks started liking them when Sugar broke.

Couple things to add...

Euphoria was a by gawd fantastic rock record. I don't know if they even made a video or toured for that record but it is timeless unknown classic.

Search youtube for some live concert footage of them when Joe Elliot's voice gave out and they let Phil & Viv sing. Fandamntastic! Something makes me think is was one of those cruise ship shows.