KISS and Def Leppard Rockin’ with Ferocity at PNC Art Center

Vivian Campbell of Def Leppard

When it comes to KISS and Def Leppard….you may ask yourself.

Do you want a concert where the band’s songs have monstrous licks, catchy hooks, and infectious grooves?

Do you want it performed while smoke pours up from underneath the stage and fireworks shoot at you from every direction?

Do you want it all on the same stage….in one night?

Well then, you want THE BEST…. and you’ve got two of the world’s most legendary bands sharing the same stage for a stellar summer tour.

Pure Fandemonium!

On previous tours both bands have played The PNC Art Center and sold it on their own.

Tonight they did it with no tricks or farewell gimmicks, just pure adrenalin driving rock ‘n roll.

Def Leppard who have been opening the string of shows was set up in front of KISS’s stage. They still had ample room to interact among themselves and work the crowd.

Gone on this tour is the catwalk that they’ve brought on previous tours. Not having it showcased the band camaraderie and allowed their playful spirit to take off, yet on a smaller scale.

Their 14 song set list read like a perfect greatest hits CD, covering all of the band’s anthemic hits that put them on the map, from “Let it Go” to “Animal” to “Pour Some Sugar” to “Hysteria”. They even squeezed in two acoustic songs; “Two Steps Behind” and “Bring on the “Heartbreak”.

Highlights of the show were the three songs off Pyromania; “Foolin,” “Rock of Ages,” and, of course, “Photograph”.

Vocalist and ring leader, Joe Elliott, strutted the stage with a swagger that only he has, gripping his scarf-embellished microphone stand and working the crowd. Joe still has his raspy chops which helped launch the band over three decades ago.

Bassist, Rick Savage, ran the full expanse of the stage on this muggy night, working the girls into a lather. He was the only member to have two microphone stands on both sides of Joe.

Guitarists, Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell, provided the solid musical foundation for the band to soar, dazzling the crowd with soulful licks and dual leads.

Phil who always has an amazing arsenal of guitar, debuted his latest creation, a black Jackson X-Stroyer guitar reminiscent of the Ibanez Destroyer X in their earlier MTV videos. He even played it on the appropriate songs like “Foolin”, “Rock of Ages,” and “Photograph.”

Vivian Campbell looked and sounded great and never faltered, while “Thunder God” Rick Allen kicked the shit out of his kit making such songs as “Rocket” and “Switch 625” bone crunching and chest pounding experiences.

The energy of their live performance was equally matched to the energy heard on every CD. As Joe left the stage he said to the crowd.

“Don’t forget about us – we won’t forget about you, see you next time!” And so ends a nearly 75 minute party that is a Def Leppard live show. K

KISS closed the show tonight and unbeknownst to the crowd, Joe Elliot introduced them with their infamous “You Wanted the Best…” growl.

What can you say about these Hall of Famers that hasn’t been said in the last 40 years?

They put on one hell of a show!

KISS has always given their fans 110% no matter of the line-up or if they’re wear make-up.

Paul Stanley of KISS

Tonight’s show was no exception.

Paul Stanley got down on his hands and knees to sing and play his heart out. Mid-set he praised God for being able to pursue his lifelong dream of rock ‘n roll stardom. His passion and raw energy could be felt all the way to the last row of the lawn seats.

And if that wasn’t enough, he flew out to them on a zip line for “Love Gun”. Dancing, prancing and romancing is his business and nobody does it better!

He and co-founder/bassist, Gene Simmons wrote the book on stage acrobatics, choreography, as well as putting on a bombastic show. They are truly premiere frontmen, worthy of being in the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. Where other bands from the ’70s have slowed down, KISS have ramped up and raised the bar for bands half their age.

Their 15 song set included many of the tried and true favorites like “Deuce,” “Detroit Rock City,” “Black Diamond,” and “Calling Doctor Love.”

The band pulled out some tunes from the ’90s too, like “Hide Your Heart” and “Psycho Circus”. Songs like “War Machine” and “I Love It Loud” were played with the same ferocity it had in 1982, with Eric Singer now leading the charge!

One of the highlights of the show was the stage lighting, with it’s over the top spider-like leg trusses that moved in every direction. The pyro and fireworks shot sky high, plummeted down and veered sideways.

When the smoke and confetti cleared, all four members were standing tall.

No KISS show would be complete without Gene spitting fire on “Hotter than Hell”, or drooling blood on “God of Thunder”, and the crowd loved it.

KISS guitarist, Tommy Thayer, and drummer, Eric Singer, have been with the band for over a decade and uphold the same KISS mantra that launched them to rock god success in the ’70s.

KISS proved once again that they can still “Rock ‘n Roll All Night” with the very best of them.