Hard Rock and More at the Casino
Another day, another free concert at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood last night. This time it was a first rate sold out double bill of Journey and Def Leppard. Though not a big fan of either band and possessing none of their albums, they are indeed staples of classic rock radio which I listen to all the time driving around town.
Journey opened the show and despite not having front man Steve Perry with the band, managed to rock the house with hit song after hit song. Neal Schon opened the show with ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ and proceeded to play guitar solo after guitar solo on every song. I’d recently been listening to Santana III and some live Santana with Schon as a 15 year old guitar wiz trading licks with Carlos and think Journey are pretty much a pop sell out, but a multi platinum one at that. This was the first show at the Casino I viewed from the floor and the experience was further enhanced by video screens behind the stage, a nice touch.
Def Leppard came out with guitars blazing, playing on an elevated stage including pyro blasts. Their brand of heavy metal pop had the crowd on its feet all night. In fact it was the loudest crowd of any of the five shows I’ve seen at The Hard Rock. Def Leppard’s music seemed to really appeal to the ladies in the crowd who danced the night away. The power of their show provided ample proof of why they sold so many records and were one of the biggest bands of the ’80s.
My friend Rich keeps getting comp tickets from the casino and when his girlfriend doesn’t want to go to certain shows I seem to be his second choice as benefactor. I am more than willing to oblige and next up is INXS.Â