By: Robert Cavuoto
…Bret Michaels of Poison screamed to the ravenous crowd at the Newark Prudential Center on July 11th when they Def Leppard thundered into town.
Def Leppard picked the perfect touring partner with Poison for their Rock of Ages Tour. Don’t get me wrong, Def Leppard has had some great partners over the years, like Heart and Journey, but Poison seems to really fit the bill. Their styles of music mesh, they were both popular in the ’80s with mega hits, and both bands know how to entertain an audience like no others. There is also a nice tie to the Rock of Ages movie with Tom Cruise….coincidence?
Though the band’s biggest hits were from the ’80s, Bret Michael (vocals), CC Deville (guitar), Bobby Dall (bass) and Rikki Rockett (drums) played them like they were all reborn. Not to let their powerful legacy down and capture the spirit of when the songs were written, the band was energetic with lots of on-stage camaraderie. CC Deville played like a man possessed, tearing up a down the catwalk while never missing a note! Bret is the ultimate rock frontman; entertaining the crowd, giving high fives to fans, and throwing out smiles to all the girls.
Some of the more striking moments of the show came when Bret Michael’s took a moment to recognize the troops at home and abroad with a cover song, “We’re an American Band”, by Grand Funk Railroad, as well as when he came out with a flamed colored acoustic guitar to perform “Every Rose has its Thorn”. The audience lit up their cell phones in approval and swayed back and forth to the heartfelt tune.
The band performed a great 60 minute set of all their hits like; “Fallen Angel”, “Unskinny Bop”, “Look What the Cat Dragged In”, “Talk Dirty to Me” and closed the show out with “Nothin’ But a Good Time”. A fitting song to end the night as I’m confident that everybody in Newark had one!
GALLERY
Arlene R. Weiss (12 years ago)
WOW! These photos are phenomenal Rob! Great review too and so glad to see Bret & co. in outstanding form!