Journey, Def Leppard Set For Nostalgia Tour, But Will Anyone Be Listening?
Aside from general wonderment that so much excitement can continuously be generated about music 20 years removed from its prime, I must say these events aroused my skepticism. After all, former lead singer and major songwriting contributor Steve Perry has not performed with the band he launched to stardom in eight years. In his stead, a vocal clone with a creepily similar name, Steve Augeri, has fronted the band on tours and on record. As for Def Leppard, the death of guitarist Steve Clark still leaves somewhat of a void, but as far as I know no further limbs have been lost.
In short, as much as I think the music from these two bands definitely stands among the premium offerings of '80s mainstream rock, I'm not sure these tours are necessary or particularly kind to the respectable legacies of either band. I mean, why not just pop in the CDs instead when you know the live performances are likely to be significantly inferior? I guess it might be more about the attempted reclamation of youth, but I wonder if that approach might sometimes cheapen the music.
Comments
Im going this show in Tinley Park, Illinois(suburb of Chicago, ill.) I so cannot wait!! I was a huge fan of both bands in the 80’s and a bigger fan now…
You obviously have never heard def leppard perform live…they are equal to or better than their recordings…I have seen many live concerts and I can say without a doubt, Def Leppard has the purest sound of anyone I have ever seen. I have heard that Journey, with the new lead singer can duplicate their sound of the 80s quite well…just pop in a CD? If that is the reasoning you are going with, then why does anyone go to concerts in the first place? It’s for the experience, it’s to get out and in the real world, it’s a chance to step away from the computer, get out of the house and out of the car and interact with people…novel idea huh?
Rock on…
I agree with rock on. Of course a CD would be equivelant. You probably spend 8 hours a day in front of a computer screen and play video games, right? Def toured last year and they were phenomenal. At Portland PGE Park they totally blew the crowd away.
IF you’re gonna talk the talk, why don’t you walk the walk. Check out the show…
My husband and I are going to the show in The Woodlands, TX. Who is reliving their youth, the band or us?…. because I know that we are. For just a few hours, to forget that we are parents with huge responsibilities. Now that’s entertainment.
We were told, too, that Def Leppard was fabulous in concert, and that the Journey lead singer sounds much like Perry. I know we won’t be disappointed.
Blah, blah blah! Both of these bands still play great and put on a tremendous show. I saw both of them last year and can’t wait to see them next weekend in Indy. I’d go see these bands a hundred days in a row before going to the crap turned out now a days. We’ll see where all these “American Idols” are in 15 to 25 years.
Going to the show tonight in Denver @ Red Rocks… And it’s SOLD OUT. Obviously there is still high demand for these groups. I don’t imagine you’ve ever been to a Def Leppard show, or any show at all for that matter.
Guide Note:
Actually, the above comment is from Toby D. The reason it says “Comment by 80music” is I had to replace it after an accidental deletion. Sorry for the mistake and the confusion.
lost limbs??? that’s sooooo 25 years ago. He’s better tham most drummers today. Steve clark…..can’t you do better?
Give it up.
Ya know, I really love it when stuffy folks like you TRY to have an opinion of something they obviously know little about. My husband and I went to the Clark Co. Amphitheater to see the concert. Journey was great, and yes, Def Leppard rocked the house just like the 2 times in the 80’s when I saw them. While everyone is entitled to an opinion, why don’t we leave commenting on rock concerts to someone who actually likes the bands!! And yes sir, EVERYONE WAS LISTENING!!!
Geez…..when was the last time YOU went to a concert? I have seen Def Leppard over 10 times, and Journey over 20 times. Both put on GREAT shows. Together, this will be awesome. I will be taking my wife to see them both in AL. It will be her first real concert, and I can think of a better way to break her into the Joy of Live music. LONG LIVE ROCK!
I just saw this concert, Friday Night at the Hollywood Bowl. Both bands were fantastic, and very high energy. It’s too bad you can’t see past your own lame attempts at “lost limbs” humor to appreciate 2 fantastic bands with staying power that spans over 20 years.
My DH bought me tickets for tomorrow night’s concert at Phillilps Arena in Atlanta… and I’m SOOO excited!!!! I love both bands and it will be my first time seeing both of them. What a bill!!! Journey AND Def Leppard! WOW! Who gives a crap how old they are??? They kick absolute butt!!
I think Mr. Peake has a very valid point. And the fact that he recognizes that there is something vital lost when a band is simply reliving its former glory days – however passionately- rather than creating fresh material, show how much he truly values the live music experience. All of you previous posters, who are accusing him of not being a real music lover, are the ones who aren’t getting it. Its not that nostalgia tours are so terrible, but the excitement just doesn’t compare to when they were current. And didn’t they say they’d rather “burn out than fade away?”
Journey is back with a new frontman Arnel Pineda. Search Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HjcCzgCCX0 . This site page will be alive should you update.