News Archive April 2009

From: El Universal
by Daniel Uzcategui (translated by Jill Cataldo/photos by Rafael/Mattey)
Posted: April 19, 2009

A few minutes of rain almost soaked the fans' celebration of KISS in Caracas. "I have been waiting 20 years hoping to see them live," said Johnny Pettrus, 41, that attended the concert at the Rinconada along with his wife. "Unless it rains fire, we are going to be here until the end. KISS fans are titans," he said.

But he was not the only one who would enjoy the show that drew thousands of followers during two hours of rock and emotion. The first clue to Caracas that KISS was starting happened at 9:36 p.m, when a gigantic silver-plated curtain fell, covering the stage and its four screens. The simple intro of "Won't Get Fooled Again" led into "Deuce," and the fans awaited their idols. And, as the fans had predicted, not only were there people 30 to 40 years old, but there was also a tiny baby in the crowd, barely a few months of age.

"Strutter" and "Got to Choose" followed in the list of songs that KISS chose to close its Latin American tour. When it was time to play "Hotter than Hell," the Demon (Simmons) took a sword and spit fire, with shouts and applause from the euphoric crowd.

Later, Tommy Thayer delighted fans with a guitar solo that he played while holding the instrument against his back, resulting in another ovation for the group.

"I had only seen that on YouTube," Guevara said to another fanatic, Rolando Guevara, 24, the singer of Cabuki.

The rock celebration continued with "Let Me Go, Rock And Roll," and the band waved a Venezuelan flag.

"This night is the night. Lately we have played in a lot of other countries here, but� Caracas, today you are number one!" shouted Simmons, causing even more euphoria with the crowd.

Before they sang "Black Diamond (1975)," a short break and silence made fans wonder if something had happened. But Simmons and Stanley made conversation with small talk in Spanish to keep the show moving.

With "Rock and Roll all Nite" fell more rain, this time of confetti, that announced the end. Although that wasn't the end. There was more. Stanley flew through the air and Simmons spit blood, all making for a memorable night.