{"id":50098,"date":"2015-08-21T20:22:05","date_gmt":"2015-08-22T01:22:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=50098"},"modified":"2015-08-22T10:17:36","modified_gmt":"2015-08-22T15:17:36","slug":"kc-summer-jam-def-leppard-with-styx-and-tesla-concert-review-photo-gallery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2015\/kc-summer-jam-def-leppard-with-styx-and-tesla-concert-review-photo-gallery\/","title":{"rendered":"KC Summer Jam: Def Leppard with STYX and Tesla"},"content":{"rendered":"

by John Kindred<\/span>
\n– Publisher —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

August 11, 2015 at Starlight Theater in Kansas City, MO. —<\/h3>\n

Starlight Theatre\u2019s latest round of summer concerts featured three heavy-hitting Rock bands that, in their prime, delivered fans a montage of hits and Classic Rock albums that are staples in many record and\/or CD collections.<\/p>\n

Def Leppard, currently on tour with Styx and Tesla, arrived in Kansas City in celebration of Kansas City\u2019s radio station 101 the Fox\u2019s 30th anniversary. Today, the music climate is not what it once was, and Classic Rock radio certainly is a dying market. The Fox is Kansas City\u2019s last true Classic Rock radio station and has retained a loyal listening audience, as the station has stayed true to its format.<\/p>\n

You couldn\u2019t have picked a better eveing for a sold-out concert in an outdoor amphitheater setting. <\/p>\n

\"Tesla<\/p>\n

Tesla opened the triple-header concert with the song \u201cEdison\u2019s Medicine.\u201d In February, Tesla recently came through Kansas City on a headlining tour at the Midland Theater. The band\u2019s set on this night was brief, featuring eight of its Classic Rock songs, going back to the band\u2019s debut album, Mechanical Resonance<\/em>, which was released in \u201886. Vocalist Jeff Keith, recently back in action after hip replacement surgery, was in fine form. He dazzled the crowd with his laid-back banter and delivered the goods with his gritty, bluesy voice. <\/p>\n

The band, with the limited time allotted, hit the stage with the same passion and fire for which it is known. Tearing through many of its classic songs, the audience instantly was tuned into the Rock cover of \u201cSigns\u201d and \u201cLove Song,\u201d as fans belted out the lyrics right alongside the band. <\/p>\n

Band:
\nJeff Keith
\nFrank Hannon
\nBrian Wheat
\nTroy Luccketta
\nDave Rude<\/p>\n

Set List:
\nEdison\u2019s Medicine
\nGetting Better
\nHang Tough
\nHeavens Trail
\nSigns
\nLove Song
\nLil Suzie
\nModern Day Cowboy<\/p>\n

\"Styx<\/p>\n

Styx took the stage to a packed house, as fans had trickled in and made it to their set. Led by Tommy Shaw and James \u201cJ.Y.\u201d Young, the veteran rockers kicked off their set with \u201cGrand Illusion\u201d and proceeded to put on a serious Rock \u2018n\u2019 Roll show. Age certainly doesn\u2019t factor into the youthful energy that Styx delivers live to a full house of Rock fans. Shaw and Young, both, original band members, carried the torch high, but fellow bandmates more than filled the shoes of those who have left the band.<\/p>\n

Knocking out Rock \u2018n\u2019 Roll classics, the band certainly left every ounce of passion and energy on the stage floor. Keyboardist Lawrence Gowan treated fans to a melody of Rock hits when he took to the stage solo and played Elton John\u2019s \u201cRocket Man,\u201d then Queen\u2019s \u201cBohemian Rhapsody\u201d and finally wrapped it up with Otis Redding\u2019s \u201cSitting on the Dock of the Bay.\u201d All the while, the audience sang along. Bassist Ricky Phillips is quite the animated performer, and drummer Todd Sucherman mans the drum kit and keeps the rhythmic pulse of the band alive and kicking.<\/p>\n

Wrapping its set up with its encore performance of \u201cRockin\u2019 the Paradise\u201d and \u201cRenegade,\u201d fans were left satisfied, smiling and ready for the next act.<\/p>\n

Band:
\nJames “J.Y.” Young
\nTommy Shaw
\nTodd Sucherman
\nLawrence Gowan
\nRicky Phillips<\/p>\n

Set List:
\nGrand Illusion
\nToo Much Time on My Hands
\nFooling Yourself
\nMiss America
\nLady
\nBlue Collar Man
\nCome Sail Away<\/p>\n

Encore:
\nRockin\u2019 the Paradise
\nRenegade<\/p>\n

\"Def<\/p>\n

Def Leppard hit the stage with the level of fanfare carried over from the band\u2019s Arena Rock days of the late \u201880s. Laser lights, video screens and a full-press visual spectacular was presented to a crowd full of veteran concert-goers.<\/p>\n

The storied career of Def Leppard is built around tragedy and loss. With a shelf life that now is headed into its fifth decade, it is not a surprise that we find the band dealing yet another emotional blow as guitarist Vivian Campbell battles cancer. Yet the band perseveres and moves forward, not allowing these negatives to stop the music.<\/p>\n

A true Metal warrior, Campbell showed poise as he performed alongside his bandmates, playing music that has defined a generation of Rock fans from the late \u201970s to the present.<\/p>\n

Fans of Def Leppard either love the band\u2019s entire career or pick and choose albums from its catalog that fits their own personality. The set list featured music from the different eras and was more than satisfactory to listen to. The musicianship was rock solid, and the unity of the band deflated any weaknesses of the five-piece Rock band.<\/p>\n

Band:
\nRick Savage
\nJoe Elliott
\nRick Allen
\nPhil Collen
\nVivian Campbell<\/p>\n

Set List:
\nDisintegrate (Intro)
\nRock Rock
\nAnimal
\nLet It Go
\nFoolin
\nPromises
\nLove Bites
\nArmageddon It
\nRock On
\nTwo Steps
\nRocket
\nSwitch 625
\nLet\u2019s Get Rocked
\nPure Some Sugar on Me<\/p>\n

Encore:
\nRock of Ages
\nPhotograph<\/p>\n

Def Leppard with STYX and Tesla Concert Photo Gallery<\/h3>\n
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