Busch Stadium got a blast from the past on Friday night when Def Leppard and Journey rocked the night with special guest, Cheap Trick. The diverse crowd created a dynamic atmosphere that carried through the entire night.
The evening started with a performance by Cheap Trick, which included a variety of elaborate guitars, humorous stage antics, and powerful vocals. The audience sang along to hits like “The Flame” and “I Want You to Want Me” as the sun set behind the stadium, creating the perfect energy to begin the night. As the band finished up their set with “Surrender,” the stadium had become packed.
Soon after, the screens were lit up with Def Leppard’s countdown clock. The band captured the crowd from the moment they took the stage, performing “Rocket” with 1960s NASA imagery reflected across the stage. The band continued to dominate the night with a set that included classics like “Let’s Get Rocked” and “Armageddon It.” These English rockers have made their mark and this was evident as fans all around the stadium wore wigs and apparel adorned with the British flag. Fans headbanged along as the set marched on with hit after hit, only allowing frontman, Joe Elliott, to take a breath as drummer, Rick Allen, annihilated a drum solo during “Switch 625.” By the time the band finished with “Hysteria,” “Pour Some Sugar On Me,” and “Rock of Ages” the stadium had erupted. They had taken the crowd back to the 80’s and the night was only getting started.
The lights lowered once again after a quick set change, and it was finally time for Journey. As thunder clouds covered the screens across the stage, the anticipation grew. The beginning notes of “Separate Ways” rang out and from that moment forward, the energy grew exponentially. Without much conversation in between songs, the band played on, allowing time for guitar, piano, and drum solos throughout. Frontman, Arnel Pineda, gained his experience as a cover singer in the Philippines, but joined the band in 2007 after guitarist, Neal Schon, came across his videos on Youtube and contacted him. Although original frontman, Steve Perry, is no longer with the band, Pineda’s stage presence and vocal strength drew the crowd to him and proved that although aspects of the band have changed, their talent has not. As they played “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’” and “Open Arms,” the crowd danced and swayed along with a buzz of pure joy. Despite a brief technical difficulty during “Anyway You Want It,” the band carried on and finished out the night with “Wheel in the Sky,” “Faithfully,” and, of course, “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
It was a night of historically classic music, talent, and fun that the crowd will be remembering for months to come.
Mick Lite served for 12 years in the military and is now an entrepreneur and photographer. Has worked as the official scorer and social media manager for the River City Rascals, Statistician for the Missouri Monsters and St. Louis Attack arena football teams, and as the Team Photographer and social media consultant for the St. Charles Chill, SLU Hockey, St. Louis Slam, and Gateway Grizzlies.
