Whitesnake/Def Leppard at The SECC, Glasgow

[EME]

Just back from the SECC in Glasgow after tonight's Whitesnake/Def Leppard gig. Apologies for any typos etc, but I'm shattered!!!!

It's been the case for years that Glasgow has been a Whitesnake stronghold; since the early 80s anyway (hey...I was there!) , and from the opening chords of "The Best Years" the crowd were in the palm of Lord Coverdale's hands. It also became evident that the best singer in Whitesnake these days isn't necessarily the man fronting the band. Coverdale stopped short on numerous occasions and the the rest of the band continued with the sort of backing vocals that would put Stryper to shame. Several tracks ("Can You Hear The Wind Blow", "Lay Down Your Love") from the new opus were aired with some of the older tracks; "Fool For Your Lovin", "Love Ain't No Stranger, which was dedicated to former Snake guitarist Mel Galley, "Is This Love", "Here I Go Again", "Still of The Night", "Ain't No Love". Granted the voice is but a pale shadow of it's former self, indeed at times it was painful to listen to, but the crowd lapped it up. Special mention to the band who were excellent..especially Doug Aldrich...MVP of the year! As the final strains of SOTN rang out, the crowd erupted....really there was no doubt who the vast majority were here to see.

Talking points included the state of Reb Beach these days, Doug Aldrich's leather trousers and Timothy Drury's hair...this can't be real.

I have to say I was a tad apprehensive as Def Leppard approached the stage; Whitesnake really had the crowd baying for more.

The final bars of AC/DC's "For Those About To Rock" shook the packed arena. The lights dimmed and the huge screen behind the band kicked in with a montage of shots from across the years.

The band launched into "Rocket"..from here on in this was a veritable tour de force...really, having seen them during the Hysteria Tour and witnessed Tesla wipe the floor with them, this was a performance which I never thought I'd see from Joe Elliot and the gang. Only two songs were aired from the new album; "Nine Lives" and "C'Mon, C'Mon"..although we had to leave a tad early as the show had over run. Highlights included an amazing version of "Rock of Ages", an acoustic session with "Bringing On The Heartbreak" and "Two Steps Behind You", and a rip roaring version of David Essex's "Rock On". A slick stage production was completely overshadowed by a remarkable performance from the band. Campbell and Collen spent most of the show stripped to the waist belting out riff after riff, with torsos that would shame a couple of men in their 20s!!! The backing vocals..when they were good they were amazing..when they were off...hell, it's a live show! I thought they'd have opted for several tracks from the album, alas, it wasn't the case. Certainly the crowd were more familiar with Whitesnake's new tracks than Def Leppard's.

Whitesnake may have stole the crowd, but the night, for me anyway, belonged to Def Leppard.

Regards,
EME

[weatherman90]

I haven't heard Coverdale on this tour but I think he sounded good the past few. Is he losing his touch?

[G.I.Jim]

Thanks for the post! I'm a huge fan of both, although I've never seen Whitesnake live, I do have the live dvd. They're awesome! Coverdale's voice certainly isn't what it once was, but hell...look how OLD he is. He still sounds great in my book, and I LOVE the new album!

Def Leppard have always been awesome in my book, but the last time I saw them I found myself looking at my watch after about 45 minutes. They are awesome though! Thanks again.

[Just Mindy]

Thanks for the review! I'd love to see Whitesnake...saw Def Leppard numerous times over the past 20+ years but never saw Whitesnake. Hopefully I'll get the chance soon.

[ymsf]

You got the full setlist?

[EME]

I haven't heard Coverdale on this tour but I think he sounded good the past few. Is he losing his touch?

In all fairness, I think he got carried away with the reaction of the crowd!

Had he paced himself he'd have breezed the show, however theres no way he'll keep this up for a full world tour.

I have to say Doug Aldrich is an amazing guitarist...as is Reb Beach...who passes for a guy in the UK soap, Eastenders!!!



[

[Indyjoe]

Just back from the SECC in Glasgow after tonight's Whitesnake/Def Leppard gig. Apologies for any typos etc, but I'm shattered!!!!

It's been the case for years that Glasgow has been a Whitesnake stronghold; since the early 80s anyway (hey...I was there!) , and from the opening chords of "The Best Years" the crowd were in the palm of Lord Coverdale's hands. It also became evident that the best singer in Whitesnake these days isn't necessarily the man fronting the band. Coverdale stopped short on numerous occasions and the the rest of the band continued with the sort of backing vocals that would put Stryper to shame. Several tracks ("Can You Hear The Wind Blow", "Lay Down Your Love") from the new opus were aired with some of the older tracks; "Fool For Your Lovin", "Love Ain't No Stranger, which was dedicated to former Snake guitarist Mel Galley, "Is This Love", "Here I Go Again", "Still of The Night", "Ain't No Love". Granted the voice is but a pale shadow of it's former self, indeed at times it was painful to listen to, but the crowd lapped it up. Special mention to the band who were excellent..especially Doug Aldrich...MVP of the year! As the final strains of SOTN rang out, the crowd erupted....really there was no doubt who the vast majority were here to see.

Talking points included the state of Reb Beach these days, Doug Aldrich's leather trousers and Timothy Drury's hair...this can't be real.

I have to say I was a tad apprehensive as Def Leppard approached the stage; Whitesnake really had the crowd baying for more.

The final bars of AC/DC's "For Those About To Rock" shook the packed arena. The lights dimmed and the huge screen behind the band kicked in with a montage of shots from across the years.

The band launched into "Rocket"..from here on in this was a veritable tour de force...really, having seen them during the Hysteria Tour and witnessed Tesla wipe the floor with them, this was a performance which I never thought I'd see from Joe Elliot and the gang. Only two songs were aired from the new album; "Nine Lives" and "C'Mon, C'Mon"..although we had to leave a tad early as the show had over run. Highlights included an amazing version of "Rock of Ages", an acoustic session with "Bringing On The Heartbreak" and "Two Steps Behind You", and a rip roaring version of David Essex's "Rock On". A slick stage production was completely overshadowed by a remarkable performance from the band. Campbell and Collen spent most of the show stripped to the waist belting out riff after riff, with torsos that would shame a couple of men in their 20s!!! The backing vocals..when they were good they were amazing..when they were off...hell, it's a live show! I thought they'd have opted for several tracks from the album, alas, it wasn't the case. Certainly the crowd were more familiar with Whitesnake's new tracks than Def Leppard's.

Whitesnake may have stole the crowd, but the night, for me anyway, belonged to Def Leppard.

Regards,
EME

Thanks for that!!

I saw Leppard 3 times in April and loved them just as I have every time I have seen them since 1983.

(I would have loved it if Whitesnake had been with them here in SoCal!)

[EME]

Just a quick update from Classic Rock Magazine http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/page/classicrock?entry=def_leppard_whitesnake_and_black.

Now for Journey tomorrow night!!!


Regards,
EME