BETTER LATE THAN NEVER: Hair Metal Legends Rock 50,000 in Edmonton
Let’s do a little music history lesson involving Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison and Joan Jett, shall we?
How many times do you think these bands have played Edmonton? Any guesses? Well, Def Leppard and Motley Crue have played here 14 times each – 14! – plus seven appearances each by Poison (or frontman Bret Michaels) and Joan Jett.
Of course all these bands played Sunday, Sept. 4 at Commonwealth Stadium for the much anticipated Stadium Tour (which had been postponed due to the pandemic). Locals saw these bands when they first were becoming known names. Motley Crue first played here in June of 1982 at a bar called Scandals, where on the third night a bomb threat was phoned in – which ended up being a publicity stunt. Def Leppard first came here on the Pyromania tour in 1983, Poison first played here in 1989 and Joan Jett in 1988.
Now fast forward 30 years and more and this show was like a time machine – for 50,000-plus fans. It was a blistering hot day perfect for the best kind of music – rock ‘n’ roll! Joan Jett put on one amazing show. She was part of the girl band the Runaways and continues to impress. Next up as the crowd was cramming every nook and cranny came Poison. Bret Michaels engaged the crowd at every opportunity and said he was blown away by the response that came back to him. Guitar player CC Deville shred up and down that fretboard with blazing fingers and a little tribute to Eddie Van Halen.
As the wobbly pops continued to flow, out came Def Leppard. They opened with a smokin’ version of Let It Go followed by hit after hit. Lead guitar player Phil Collen, age 64, is mesmerizing and very well respected. The Lepps delivered.
With one more band to go I was thinking this is the most fun I’d had in ages at a rock ‘n’ roll show.
Next up were the bad boys from Los Angeles: Motley F’N Crue. They came out rocking and sounding great with the aid of three lovely ladies dancing and singing. The stage set was amazing as the band went through their hits, including the ballad Home Sweet Home, where the stadium lit up with flashlights from cellphones. A few of us got the Bic lighters going. Tommy Lee pounded the drums, Nikki Sixx had the bass booming, 71-year-old guitar whiz Mick Mars left fans speechless, and Vince Neil kept the crowd engaged. Quite impressive for a band to have all original members with all the hard partying they’ve done.
The crowd loved every minute of it – so let’s give this a 5 out of 5.
Now … let’s get AC/DC back for a final time.
