The movie musical Rock of Ages has been a bit of a disappointment at the box office since it opened earlier this month, earning under $20 million in its opening week, but the band behind the original ’80s hit of the same name played to another full house in Irvine Friday night.

Def Leppard checked in on the second date of its summertime Rock of Ages Tour at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater to jump start the first weekend of summer, blasting out all of the quintet’s hits to the delight of a large crowd eager to party. While openers Lita Ford and Poison had performed to a decidedly greater number of empty seats earlier in the evening, the headlining U.K. hit-makers turned in an amped-up show that gave fans everything they came for.

Click here for a photo slideshow of fans and the bands.

The Sheffield band has one of rock’s most compelling biographies, including the death of original guitarist Steve Clark in 1991 and drummer Rick Allen’s inspired ability to overcome the loss of his left arm following a tragic car crash seven years earlier, carrying on using a specially designed electronic drum kit that has become an integral part of the band’s sound ever since.

Having sold more than 100 million albums in 35 years together, Def Leppard keeps shows focused on its wealth of smash singles. The group continues to ensure that fans never wait more than a few minutes before another one arrives.

Read more of this review on the Soundcheck Blog.

Photos by Kelly A. Swift, for the Orange County Register; Article by Robert Kinsler, for the Orange County Register.

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