Take me out to the ballpark, take me out to the crowd... but instead of buying peanuts and Cracker Jacks, fans of Def Leppard and Journey will probably be nabbing concert t-shirts and ear plugs as the '80s icons travel around baseball stadiums this summer in North America.
Along the way, opening the night will either be Steve Miller Band or Cheap Trick, who have both sold millions of albums themselves and put on hot shows.
On Saturday it was the boys from Rockford, IL, opening for Def Leppard and Journey at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, home of the Cardinals.
Did Def Leppard win the coinflip? Not sure why they get to have their names above Journey's but fine, whatever. The pair have plenty of hits between them, and two things Def Leppard have over Journey is they have their original singer - which is tough to do in rock.
And they have a new song.
"Just Like '73" is a tip of the cap to the glammy T-Rex / David Bowie era the Brits grew up with as they were forming their musical tastes. It also features guitar hero Tom Morello for a little something special in the mix.
"I love Rage Against The Machine," guitarist Phil Collen told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Wednesday. "I think Tom's really, really cool and his guitar style is so unique and he really didn't let us down."
Collen said their friend, Sony Records boss, Brian Monaco recommended Morello. The two guitarists talked got together and Collen asked him to "do your Tom Morello thing.' And he did."
"Just Like '73" comes in at #7 on the set right after a half dozen hits from "Rock Rock (Till You Drop)," "Foolin'" and "Love Bites,"-- classics that helped the band sell over 100 million records.
Journey is another classic rock mainstay to have moved over 100 million units. The first show of the tour had them sticking to the most familiar songs their fans are used to.
The San Francisco band now fronted by Arnel Pineda doled out heavy doses of 1981's Escape and '83's Frontiers while blasting through their greatest hits.
No complaints here.
As a matter of fact, give me a cold beer, a warm night and a guy who sings just like Steve Perry and I'll sing "Don't Stop Believing" and air guitar that Neil Schon magic.
Who wouldn't?
And who doesn't want to receive an annual affirmation that we're all alright from Cheap Trick?
The rockers will be playing the home fields of the Braves, the Cubs, and the Tigers before they play at both the Pennsylvania MLB parks.
They'll even stop off in Toronto, who boasts one of the most interesting features in a baseball stadium: the ability to watch the game from a hotel room.
Since most bands typically set up in center field, that means these rooms might hear the show but not get to see much of it.
You, however can see it the way it was meant to be, in a seat. Get your tickets on Journey's website.
Def Leppard / Journey 2024 North American tour:
Jul 10: Orlando Camping World Stadium, FL^
Jul 13: Atlanta Truist Park, GA*
Jul 15: Chicago Wrigley Field, IL*
Jul 18: Detroit Comerica Park, MI*
Jul 20: Nashville Nissan Stadium, TN*
Jul 23: Philadelphia Citizens Bank Park, PA*
Jul 25: Hershey Hersheypark Stadium, PA*
Jul 27: Pittsburgh PNC Park, PA*
Jul 30: Cleveland Progressive Field, OH^
Aug 02: Toronto Rogers Centre, ON^
Aug 05: Boston Fenway Park, MA*
Aug 07: New York Citi Field, NY*
Aug 12: Arlington Global Life Field, TX*
Aug 14: Houston Minute Maid Park, TX*
Aug 16: San Antonio Alamodome, TX*
Aug 19: Minneapolis Target Field, MN*
Aug 23: Phoenix Chase Field, AZ*
Aug 25: Inglewood Sofi Stadium*, CA
Aug 28: San Francisco Oracle Park, CA*
Aug 30: San Diego Petco Park, CA*
Sep 04: Seattle T-Mobile Park, WA^
Sep 08: Denver Coors Field, CO^
*with Steve Miller Band
^with Cheap Trick
