Usually when I go to Detroit, it is for a Tigers baseball game. This time, I was lured to Motown by a concert triple bill of Journey, Def Leppard and Steve Miller at Comerica Park.

I knew Comerica was a great place for baseball, but it worked just as well for the concert. The crowd that night seemed close to Comerica’s record of 45,000. Despite the night being about music, I had to take a walk to check out the baseball statues by left field.

Steve Miller opened the show and was my favorite of the night. Starting with “Space Intro,” he played a dozen of his hits, ending with “Jet Airliner.” After almost 60 years of performing, Miller still sounds great.

Journey followed with 19 of their hits. Although the band has had major changes in its lineup since starting, including adding Arnel Pineda as lead singer, they still have the same sound and spirit.

Def Leppard finished the night with a set of 18 of their rockers. My least favorite of the three bands, I still enjoyed seeing them live.

After more than four hours of energetic music, I was charged but a bit exhausted. It was a fantastic night of music from three very different bands.

Prior to the concert, we dined at Hockeytown Cafe across the street from Comerica. Opened in 1999 by Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch as a tribute to his team, Hockeytown features Red Wings and Tigers memorabilia throughout its three floors. It also has outstanding food. Of course, being in Detroit, we had to have Detroit-style pizza, and it was a winner.

© Hockeytown Cafe

© Hockeytown Cafe

© Hockeytown Cafe

— John Wroblewski, online writer