05/06/05 - ARROWHEAD CREDIT UNION PARK, SAN BERNARDINO, CA


Review by George A. Paul (Correspondent/Press Telegram):
Bryan Adams, Def Leppard rock the park in SanBernardino

The score was close until one of them batted in several runs. Wait a minute. That wasn't an Inland Empire 66ers game held at Arrowhead Credit Union Park on Sunday night; it was a rare headline rock concert in San Bernardino.

Judging by the amount of Union Jack concert T-shirts and banners, a majority of people were there to see British pop/metal band Def Leppard. Yet it was Canadian journeyman rocker Bryan Adams who stole the show with excellent sound and lighting, audience participation, humor and some surprises.

The only Southern California stop on this Rock & Roll Doubleheader tour drew nearly 10,000 concertgoers from around the Inland area and beyond (matchbox twenty drummer Paul Doucette and actor-comedian David Spade were among the celebs spotted). Unfortunately, many left before Adams took the stage.

Clad in traditional T-shirt and jeans, Adams and his five-piece band launched a strong 85-minute performance with the title track to Adam's latest disc, "Room Service." Adams and guitarist Keith Scott had a great time (not to mention plenty of camaraderie) onstage. The 17-song gig concentrated on the hit-laden 1984 disc "Reckless," including a throttling "Kids Wanna Rock," searing "Run to You" and an invigorating singalong "Summer of '69" -- which Adams played "MTV Unplugged" style on acoustic guitar and said was about "making love in the summertime."

Simple, acoustic guitar-driven takes on "Heaven" and "(Everything I Do) I Do it for You" retained their romantic sensibilities, while Adams said "you're making me feel like a local" during the frenetic call and response section of "Cuts Like a Knife."

After Adams chose a buxom blond female fan from Laguna Beach to duet on "When You're Gone" (originally sung with Spice Girl Mel C), she took forever to climb onstage. So the band vamped with Manfred Mann's "Do Wah Diddy Diddy." Serious and full of attitude, she asked for water and a lyric sheet from a roadie she apparently knew.

"It's good to be back in California again," Adams said, before a mind-blowing "It's Only Love," which veered from Scott's Jimi Hendrix-styled solo to some hilarious vocal interplay. The sexy, squelching guitar swagger of "The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me is You" was another highlight. For the encore, Adams was back on acoustic guitar and dedicated "Straight from the Heart" to combat troops around the world. A quarter century into his career, Adams still has what it takes to rev up a crowd.

Def Leppard opened their 16-song, 80-minute set with "Action," from the 1993 rarities collection "Retroactive." Singer Joe Elliott sported a black sports coat and leather pants and belted out vocals in front of a blurred screen that projected an old Def Lep cartoon and live group images.

Much to the crowd's delight, the band delved into one raucous, fist-pumping hit after another, mainly culled from 1987's phenomenally successful "Hysteria." A muddy sound mix tended to bury Elliott's lower register, but lead guitarist Phil Collen's shredding solos and the other guys' harmonies made you forget any problems.

Among the standouts were "Photograph," a pile-driving "Foolin'," the sway-inducing, power ballad "Love Bites" and a fun, extended "Armageddon It," led by the sinewy guitar tandem of Collen and Vivian Campbell. "Rocket" lived up to its name when both axemen engaged in a duel, then Rick Allen added tribal beats and Elliott did some Middle Eastern-styled wailing.

Come encore time, Def Leppard pulled out the dramatic, early '80s rock radio fave "Bringin' on the Heartbreak." Sexually charged anthem "Pour Some Sugar on Me" finished everything on a high.

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Review by Gina Tenorio (San Bernardino Sun):
A wave of the faithful crowded through the gates of Arrowhead Credit Union Park on Sunday night.
Many walked into the minor league baseball stadium with newly bought Bryan Adams or Def Leppard T-shirts that featured 2005 tour dates. But others wore T-shirts so worn and faded that they were almost see-through. Those shirts proudly bore a 1980s concert date. "Some of those shirts look like they've been worn a little too much,' said David Guidon, 40, of Redlands. "It's great to see.'

Sunday's concert featuring Adams and Def Leppard, considered rock greats of the Reagan era, was part of the artists' 26-city tour of minor league stadiums. It was also an opportunity for stadium officials to woo visiting Los Angeles promoters and show them what the stadium is capable of in the hopes of bringing more big-name performers to San Bernardino. But for the throngs that piled into the park, the night was a chance to revel in nostalgia. "This makes us feel young,' said Shirley Sharkey, 36, of Beaumont. "It's the '80s. It's what we grew up in.'Like a handful of others, Sharkey and her family and friends partied in the parking lot, sipped beers and remembered the first concerts they ever went to. It was tough to remember the first concert. "Was it Def Leppard? With Cinderella?' Sharkey asked. Her husband Danny Sharkey, 32, shook his head, forcing Shirley to think again. The others also thought back, and the mature 30-somethings became teens again. "When I first went to a concert, I wasn't old enough to drink,' said Shon LaBlanc, 37, of San Bernardino. He paused and smiled. "We weren't supposed to drink.' For him as for others, Sunday brought back a lot of youthful excitement. The fans knew the lyrics to the songs. They knew the names of all the albums. And now the performers from their youth were performing practically in their back yard. "This is so convenient,' said Stephanie Keplar, 44, of San Bernardino. "It's close to home. We don't have to drive. Driving to Los Angeles would have been difficult because we have to get up early in the morning.'

Equally surprising to longtime fans were the number of youngsters and teens who joined their parents to hear music from the '80s. "I have a 13-year-old daughter who loves this stuff,' Guidon said. She wasn't able to join him Sunday night, but she has for other concerts. He has noticed that parents are taking their children and passing down a love for the music. "It's nice to see parents with their kids,' Guidon said. It was also good to see a venue in the city, he added. A lifelong resident of the county, Guidon said there hasn't been a good local concert venue since the '80s. Growing up, he had gone to a number of concerts at the National Orange Show's Swing Auditorium in San Bernardino. It was small but was the city's biggest venue. The Rolling Stones kicked off their first North American tour there. Bands like Elvis and the Jackson Five also performed. It was destroyed on Sept. 11, 1981, when a pilot flying a Cessna suffered a heart attack and his plane plunged into the building destroying it. Since then, Guidon said he can't recall seeing a big performer within the city. For him, Sunday was a musical renewal. "I enjoyed the smaller venues,' he said as he waited for friends outside the park gates. "I'm really eager to see how it's going to sound. Everyone's closer to the stage. Even (those) watching from the gates should have a good view.'

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(Above) BA and Kman playing the bridge on 'Run To You'

Review by Lara Aria:
I got to the gig at 4pm & it looked like thousands of people there. There were Dep Leppard's fans wearing their t-shirts. After I got there, people were still coming to the line & Def Leppard was doing sound check & his fans got out of line to go stand by the gate to listen. And at 5:30, people were still coming. Few minutes later, the gate opened up & we started moving. When I was in the gig, I looked to find where to go. People could sit in seats or stand, I pick standing, the seats were waayyyyyyyyyyyyyy too far away from the stage, I got to the 2nd row, there were a platform on the grass. While everyone were waiting, there were a couple of beachballs & people were throwing them around. And then, the crowd started to get reckless & wild by screaming.

First came an opening act Randy Coleman & he sing for 20 minutes, it was him & his guitar & another guitar man. He said if most of you don't know me then call it a blind date. He was ok. Then he went offstage & people were setting up for Def Leppard. Def Leppard came onstage after awhile & then they start singing, they were very good, I don't have a setlist, cuz I don't know their songs, they were also very loud. They sing mostly old songs. The crowd went wild for them. Then, they went offstage & came back. They sang 1 or 2 songs & then they sang 1 song from their new album. After that, they were finish singing, they played for 1 hour & 25 minutes. After they were gone, some people left & I moved to the 1st row next to the stage. And then people were setting up for Bryan Adams! At that time, it was 8:25. Few minutes went by & the crowd wanted Bryan to come out.

At 9:00, Bryan came out & the band. The crowd went soooo wild & me too! Bryan started off with Room Service & then Run to You, & then he sing 18 Til I Die, that song was So GREAT live! I Really Loved it. In 1 of the songs, Bryan kicked his leg up, I wish I got a pic of that. And he was showing his belly & his red underwear more than twice, it was heaven! After a while, he sing 1 of my favorite, Kids Wanna Rock, I think that the song that he jumped in the air, I'm sure it was. When he was ready to sing When You 're Gone, he asked somebody onstage & a guy wanted to sing, but Bryan wanted a girl, so I screamed soooo loud, but he didn't pick me. I forgot where the girl was from, it was funny when Bryan asked her what she do, she told him & he got confused, & then she said she does sales & Bryan said what kind, she sales contract lenses. Bryan asked her if she wanted the lyrics & she said yes, & then Lance came out & it was more funny when she asked Lance for some water, Bryan asked her do you know him, are you sleeping with him. Bryan & the girl sing WYG, she was pretty good.

When Bryan sing Cuts Like a Knife, when he got to na na na, he wanted the crowd to sing na na na & he turned his mic toward them, & they sing, Bryan was in a playful mood, he shook his head no, like that wasn't good enough & he put his thumb down, & the crowd sang it again & Bryan put his thumb half way up, the crowd sang one more time & Bryan likes it & said something. When Bryan sing It's Only Love, Keith did a solo guitar act, 3 times. Bryan was Sooooo GREAT!!! Once, he came to my direction & looked my way. I screamed more to get his attention, I had a sore throat before the gig, but I still screamed so loud. I didn't get a chance to meet Bryan. I took Great pics since I was next to the stage. I wanted to buy some t-shirts, the t-shirts looked great, but I forgot my money in the hotel. There were 1 t-shirt with Room Service guitar in pink outline with black background that cost $48, but I really wanted it. There were another black t-shirt with the Room Service pic that was GREAT!

Setlist:
Room Service
Run to You
18 Til I Die
Can't Stop This Thing We Started
Kids Wanna Rock
Summer Of '69
Everything I Do
Somebody
This Time
Cuts Like A Knife
When You're Gone
This Side of Paradise
Heaven
It's Only Love
The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You
There Will Never Be Another Tonight
Straight From The Heart

***Def Leppard***

Setlist:
Intro/We Will Rock You
Action
Let's Get Rocked
Women
Foolin'
Hysteria
Promises
No Matter What
Loves Bites
Armageddon It
Rocket (extended)
Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad
Photograph
Animal
Rock Of Ages
Bringin' On The Heartbreak
Pour Some Sugar On Me

 


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Huge thanks to Darren and Lara for the setlist. Thanks to Laura Tolbirt for the photos.

For this show Def came on first followed by BA.

BA launching into his set

Gary on keyboards

Mickey on drums

Bryan getting the crowd going

Fans having a blast!

"Yoooouuuuuuu!!!!"