Simon RushworthDef Leppard — One Night Only Live At The Leadmill (Mercury Studios)
It’s 35 years since Def Leppard released the iconic Live: In The Round, In Your Face on VHS.
The first official visual document of the Steel City’s famous sons captures a band at the peak of its powers playing to a packed house at Denver’s McNichols Sports Arena.
It reveals a moment in time when Hysteria had catapulted the Lepps into rock’s big leagues and millions of fans the world over wanted a piece of the action.
Anyone watching that incredible gig could never have imagined Joe Elliott and co. one day going back to where it all began — playing in front of an 850-strong audience at a tiny Sheffield club.
But a show that’s already gone down in rock and roll folklore really did happen.
Rushonrock was there — just as we were a few days later at Bramall Lane for the full stadium experience.
But in truth there was no comparison between two emotion-fuelled hometown parties.
And going back in time to experience that Leadmill love-in one more time — through the lens of a pin-sharp Blu-ray production — reaffirms the belief that Leppard have never been happier than they were that night.
In Elliott’s case happy but clearly nervous.
Look into his eyes during the first few songs (we weren’t close enough first time round) and the normally unflappable frontman appears anxious.
He can’t relax. He can barely control his vocals. Initially, at least, the occasion gets to him.
But then Too Late For Love kicks in and it’s like a switch is flicked.
Elliott, flanked by Rick Savage and Phil Collen, goes on to give the Leadmill masses the unique experience their loyalty deserves (and many of those present — family and friends included — had followed the band since day one).
Special? You bet.
Def Leppard’s blind faith
This isn’t a review of a quite glorious gig. We did that last summer.
It’s a deep dive into one of the finest rock films we’ve clapped eyes on in some time.
The detail is jaw-dropping.
Want to learn how to play Switch 625 perfectly? Every rapid-fire finger movement is captured in eye-popping HD as Collen and Vivian Campbell do the late Steve Clark proud.
Wondered where Elliott takes his breath to get through Hysteria?
This hour-long treat reveals all.
And ever imagined what it must be like for Rick Allen to rock up back home after everything he’d been through?
When One Night Only Live At The Leadmill regularly zooms in on the beaming drummer, it’s pretty damn clear.
By the way, there are no fancy audio options and no bonus clips.
Even the booklet complementing the Blu-ray version is basic.
But that’s the point.
This is Leppard in the raw — rather than in the round — and unlike previous live shows captured on film it’s less about the style and more about the substance.
Those who were there on the night know that the tech behind a live-streamed show never got in the way of the gig.
And yet somehow the team behind an exceptional production reflect the true essence of these working class heroes by making One Night Only Live At The Leadmill all about the musicianship, the camaraderie and keeping Clark’s memory alive.
Wish you were there? This really is the next best thing.
In fact, for those of us who were squashed up back left, near the bar, it’s almost better.
Almost.
