News Archive April 2009
From: Elespectador
by Lilian Contreras Fajardo Translated by Jill Cataldo Photo: Mauricio Riveros
Posted: April 13, 2009
Under a heavy rainshower, the band offered Bogota the best thing it's seen in 35 years.
This Easter, Colombians had the opportunity to see live an intense outpouring of rock and roll, thanks to KISS. Contrary to the popular 80's evil belief, the so-called "Knights in Satan's Service," offered in Simon Bolivar neither tortures nor animal sacrifices, though the show could certainly be considered a religious, fanatic experience.
During the concert's two hours, the American group professed its love and dedication to their public, who during the past 35 years had only hoped to see them in concert in Bogota. The show, almost an alternate rite during Easter season, demonstrated that the feelings of brotherhood and faith are not exclusive to any religious belief, but they also abound within a group of people - in this case, the "KISS ARMY" - as the followers of the band denominate themselves.
Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer appeared each in his own characteristic stage costume, each assuming a different personage based on Japanese Kabuki theater. In quite understandable Spanish, Stanley intoned "Guantanamera" and said that the strong rain that then fell was not going to stop anyone from enjoying the concert. In addition, he added that Bogota is the Rock City of Latin America.
And although many people say bands in general "must be getting old" or groups' "musical careers must be in decline" for them to play in Colombia, the certain thing is that these four people exploded with energy on songs like 100,000 Years, Black Diamond, Love Gun, I Was Made For Lovin' You, Rock and Roll All Nite and Detroit Rock City, in which they changed the city to Bogota. At the official website of KISS Colombia, fans asked the band to sing Forever and God Gave Rock and Roll to You. The latter was forgotten, but the fans took a moment of silence in which each remembered their song requests. In the end, the band sang it acoustic, acknowledging that they did not have a lot of time to practice it, but that this time, it was a special dedication.
On April 11, 2009, Holy Saturday, the group offered, without a doubt, the most spectacular circus that has ever been seen in the country. Simmons ascended to the roof like a flying angel and Stanley flew to the sound booth hanging from a pulley. They sang and danced to their songs before returning to the stage where fireworks blasted and KISS said goodbye, appreciating the crowd's incredible energy and promising to return.
