Whitesnake

Making literary elements -- notably, the colorful metaphor -- accessible to the common rocker is but one of many great contributions that '80s bands made to society. Whitesnake's triumphant "Here I Go Again" was no more about Interstate 70 than Warrant's "Cherry Pie" was about baked goods. But it's easy to view Whitesnake's journey as a metaphorical vehicle itself. Its so-so first few albums were an engine trying to turn over; they detoured to Japan where they were off and roaring; and teenage boys overheated because of their Tawny Kitaen-featuring videos. After a reformed Whitesnake churned out an album in the late 1990s that wasn't even released stateside, and vocalist David Coverdale released a solo effort, the band is back out on a five-month, worldwide tour. Here they go again -- reorganized, hating the "hair band" moniker and bringing bitchin' metaphors to the masses.

Doors open at 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $30 to $32; call 314-726-6161 or visit www.thepageant.com for more information.