TK concert review: Def Leppard, Poison and Cheap Trick

Well mother nature wasn't about to slow down myself and the thousands who jammed into First Midwest Bank Ampihitheatre to see some of rock's biggest acts and as Queen says, 'The Show Must Go On.'

As the clouds and rain let up just minutes before the show started you knew it was going to be a good night and it was. While I didn't catch all of the opening act- Cheap Trick I managed to catch the last three or so songs and got to hear their closing number- Surrender, which is of course a rock anthem and the boys in Cheap Trick are still rocking it in 2009, let me tell you. They certainly surprised me in how good they were live.

Up next was Poison. Yes the bad boys of rock, well a few of them anyway are still tearing it up on stage. And for those who question my love of Poison, I have liked this band long before Bret Michaels became even more famous for doing Rock of Love, so on with the review. Poison hit the stage running and jammed out of all their hits. They played Unskinny Bop, Talk Dirty to Me and a tribute to our men and women in uniform, Something to Believe In, which was awesome. Of course they played Every Rose Has It's Thorn and their closing number had the whole place a rocking, Ain't Nothin But a Good Time.

It's good to see how these guys play on stage. CC Deville is a truly amazing guitar player live and Bret Michael's still sounds pretty good live. The whole band just knows how to jam and that they did and I think all would agree they stole the show, at least in my opinion they did.

Def Leppard was last to take the stage and they certainly came out to play the hits. They launched into Armageddon It, Satellite of Love, Hysteria, Photograph and even threw in two acoustic versions of Bringin on the Heartbreak and Two Steps Behind which were absolutely amazing. Sad that they weren't the regular versions but it is nice to hear two great songs in a whole new light.

They played Rock On, C'Mon C'Mon from their most recent CD and of course had every person in attendance rocking when they played Rock of Ages and Pour Some Sugar on Me. The British boys came out with my all time favorite Def Lep song by asking us all one question. 'Do you wanna get rocked' as they launched into the closing Let's Get Rocked.

As the years have continued to come and go it is a bit obvious that Joe Elliot, the lead singer of the group can not hit the high notes anymore but that really doesn't slow down the band, because for the band itself, they sure do know how to rock still and it shows.

TK side note-
Has anyone else noticed that First Midwest Bank Ampihitheatre isn't as loud as they used to be. It is two shows in a row where I have noticed that it isn't that loud, and for being at a rock show I expect to leave there with my ears ringing and that hasn't happened yet, but with Crue Fest 2 this Wednesday I better be deaf leaving.

DEF LEPPARD/POISON/CHEAP TRICK gets a 4.5/5 ratings

classic songs by classic bands!

TK