It was a little drizzly this day, but at least the temperature was comfortable.  As I drove up to the venue, I could hear Def Leppard doing sound check.  It would have been so cool to be there for that!  I couldn’t get a photo pass, but that’s OK - I’m in the front row!  First time in the front row for Def Leppard and I’m as happy as a clam!  The only thing I don’t like is having to get to the venue so early - for the pre-show gathering.  Since I was there alone, and I’m not one to socialize much, it was kind of tedious.  

They took out two rows of seats in the front, so there was plenty of room up front.  Last year, we were crammed in like sardines (I was in row 9 then) from the barricade back to where the permanent seats started.  Lita Ford started things off.  Her set was short, but impressive.  The lady knows how to rock and roll!

Poison was up next.  While they have never been one of my favorite bands, they are fun live.  Bret Michaels obviously loved playing to his hometown fans, and we loved having him there.  The whole band fed off that energy as they gave us an hour of Poison classics.  C.C. is always fun to watch.  The only annoying thing was that they brought out a bunch of people - friends, family, fans? - and let them in the tiny space in front of the barricade.  Of course everyone is taller than me, so that made it hard to take pictures over and thru them!  

Finally, it was time for Def Leppard!  I felt like I was 16 again!  Jeez, I love this band!  They still look awesome and they still sound awesome.  They opened with Undefeated, and continued on thru most of my favorites.  As long as I get to hear Bringin’ on the Heartache and Pour Some Sugar on Me, I’m happy.  At one point, they all gathered at the front of the “thrust” - the catwalk like extension of the stage - and did an acoustic medley of their ballads.  Phil spent a good deal of time on the box directly in front of us.  Viv and Joe didn’t visit our side much, and Sav stayed up on the stage (dang it!  I wanted him to come out on that little box!).  I was in heaven, but it was over way too soon.  My little camera is pretty limited, but I managed to get some decent shots.  I was hoping to get some better ones of Sav, since he is one of my favorite bass players, but that just wasn’t to be.  Joe said there would be a next time, so maybe then!

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