Def Leppard’s Joe Elliot Surprises Detroit Fans, Joins Billy Joel Onstage at Comerica Park

It was a special night for concertgoers Saturday night (7/9) as Bill Joel took the Comerica Park stage, belting out three decades worth of hits. But the night got even sweeter as Joel welcomed Def Leppard's Joe Elliot to the stage to sing one of the band's radio staples.

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It's a Pretty Good Crowd, for a Saturday

Elliot treated the sellout crowd of 37,000 fans to a raucous rendition of 'Pour Some Sugar on Me' from the band's 1987 album Hysteria, as Joel humbly took the backseat, singing backup vocals.

Elliot and company were in town a little early for Sunday's show at the same venue as they co-headline with Motley Crue. The weekend of concerts at Comerica Park began on Friday as country legend Chris Stapleton took the stage. Elton John will rock the stage at Comerica on July 18 when his 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road' tour comes to town, just before the Detroit Tigers reclaim their home (after the All-Star break) on July 23.

 It's 9 O'Clock on a Saturday

It was likely no coincidence that Billy Joel and his eight-piece band hit the stage right at 9 o'clock. In this instance, life imitated art, playing out a classic lyric from Joel's 1973 hit 'Piano Man,' his first major US hit, which eventually became his signature song.

"I would like to thank those of you who bought tickets two years ago," Joel told the crowd, referring to the lengthy delay caused by the coronavirus pandemic. "Who the hell knew that was going to happen?"

 

Shoutouts to the Motor City

Joel honored several Detroit artists throughout the night according to the Detroit News. His 26-song set included an abbreviated version of Marvin Gaye's 'I Heard it Through the Grapevine' and a customized take of 'River of Dreams that incorporated 'Dancing in the Steet by Martha and the Vandellas. Joel gave a nod to Bob Seger, weaving a bit of 'Old Time Rock & Roll' into the intro of 'River of Dreams.'

Watch Def Leppard's Joe Elliot sing 'Pour Some Sugar on Me' with Billy Joel in the video below.