Issue #1: 1980 Sydney Australia pro shot
Issue #1:
1980 Sydney Australia pro shot
The date: November 22, 1980, an outdoor stadium show. Even though KISS was losing their popularity in the states, they were huge overseas, especially in Australia (where the original band never played until the highly successful 1997 Reunion Tour). They basically kept all effects, pyro & staging from the Dynasty tour, with some minor changes.
The opener: All four members rise up through the stage highlighted by their respective colors from their solo LP's. Eric, who didn't have a solo LP, made his color rust or orange. I'm partially color blind so forgive me.
After the standard, now legendary announcement of "You Wanted The Best, You Got The Best, The Hottest Band In The World..... KISS!" they launch head first into "Detroit Rock City." This by far is my favorite version ever done of this song. It's full of zest and Paul sings his butt off in it. A new addition to this classic is a new bass drum pattern executed by the Fox in attempts to update it and add his own style. Also pay close attention to Ace on the guitar solo, where at one point the wind blows his cape up between his legs making it look like his cape turned into a diaper. Very entertaining at 3:00 AM. The song finishes and dives right into "Cold Gin," in which Ace & Gene share vocal duties on the first verse, while for the second verse, Ace, Paul & Gene all sing - a true first in KISSTORY (I had to say it at least once in this story).
Next, like a bat out of hell (no, not Meatloaf) they propel directly into "Strutter" with not a breath taken. Awesome segue in my opinion. I noticed during both the main & outro solo Ace changes his solos a bit. It's kinda cool, but I miss the classic Alive 1 solo for it. After "Strutter" it's time for the Starchild's first stage rap, in which he yells about "Taking Sydney down to the ground." The rap continues to intro the next song, "Which is about a girl who's name begins with an S and ends with an I." Paul, are you intro-ing a song or asking for the answer to a crossword puzzle? Oh well, I guess he was still growing as a front man to what he is now, which is the greatest front man ever to grace the stage. As for "Shandi," the song rocks, and includes Paul's first lead solo ever in concert, unless they played "Sure Know Something" on the Dynasty tour. Does anyone know? By the way I'm not counting dual leads with Ace either. The song was a great song, as was meant to be played live. I personally wish they'd done it as a band on the Reunion Tour, even though Paul's solo version was a real treat to witness. Those who have a copy of Sydney å97 know what I'm talking about. If you don't, trade for it. Find it. Do what you have to get a copy. It's a great show and will be reviewed in the future.
Next on the agenda is "Dr Love." Gene's in full Demon mode for this whole show, which is always a treat. All together on the count of 3 give me your best Gene, "OH YEAH!" Thanks! Feel better? Ok, read on! =D The set rolls on with the next Stanley rap about "No railway transit strike was gonna stop them from rockin' & rollin'." You know, KISS is like the post office: through rain, sleet or snow they deliver. What a band!! After the rap they call out the "Firehouse." By the way, this is the only video I know of where Paul uses a white fire hat, which he throws out to the crowd so some lucky fan has a rare piece in their KISS collection. During the song Ace's fingers gravitate toward the wrong fret during the solo and makes a minor mistake, but he covers it quickly like a true professional. The next song up after Paul's intro was their newest single off Unmasked, "Talk To Me," followed by "Is That You," two rare and great performances. I'd like to see both in the next tour's set list. Why? Both are rockers and define arena rock to me.
Ace is up next with his version of "2,000 Man," which includes a "Hot guitar solo from Ace." - Paul Stanley in 1987's "Exposed" home video. The solo is complete with all the classic Ace licks, smoking guitar and 3 rockets, unlike the Reunion Tour where he only shot 2 rockets off. After the song finishes, Paul tells us a story about meeting a girl at a hotel last year (gee there's something new). Nonetheless, the song intro is for last the big hit "I Was Made For Loving You," which comes complete with high pitch squeals, fireworks and a top hat (did someone say Fred Astaire?). Hey, has anyone ever see the cartoon where Bugs Bunny is being followed by the short penguin with the top hat that keeps crying to Bugs? Well that's what Paul reminded me of with the top hat and black leotards he was wearing! Also very amusing at 3:00 A.M.
For the next number Ace takes us back in the "NY Groove" with his light-up guitar in hand. Then the Starchild returns to center stage to tell the crowd "They've had an awesome time and would return next year." "Right now a million fans in 3 part harmony are saying, åBulls**t!¼" - Gene Simmons in 1992's "Extreme Close Up" home video. As we all know, KISS did not return down under åtil 1995, but still warns the crowd the band came ready to shoot them with their "Love Gun." This is a high paced version with cool strobe light effects for the end of the song.
Moments later, after 65 ounces of blood and Gene flying side to side instead of up to the rafters, they move into "God of Thunder." "Look! It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a flying demon!" This also includes Eric Carr's debut drum solo, high energy and very foxy (I know bad pun), showcasing his awesome chops & flair for great fills. Oddly enough, Eric employs some Peter Criss trademarks for this solo (at the request of Paul & Gene?), such as the flanger on the snare drum and 3 hits on the gong indicating the cue to return to the song. They do just that, with a harmonized Demon for the spoken part and 2 highly echoed "YEAH's" with flames to emphasize the true power of the Demon's scream. Paul then returns to set up the rock and roll national anthem, "Rock & Roll All Nite." Interestingly enough, they add to the song an audience participation part, the "Do you feel alright?" section from "100,000 Years." After some breathing exercises from the Starchild the audience gives it their all, and with a flourish of confetti, fireworks and Paul's legendary breaking of the guitar, the song ends. Interesting side note, the guitar looks to have not been sawed right and Paul has to break it over his knee after smashing it several times. Boy I'd hate to have been that roadie! Paul must've given him heat for that.
After a few minutes they return to the stage for the first encore. Paul
tells them since they're all the way in the back that if they keep
screaming they'll keep coming back, adding they should know by now if they
want a little more rock & roll to "Shout It Out Loud," and they do just
that. They then return to the stage for their second encore, "King Of The
Night Time World," in which Ace has technical difficulties sustaining the
opening note for the song. A rare performance of this song with Eric
drumming his heart out during it. Unfortunately it wasn't done again with
Eric after this tour except for a couple of times on the Crazy Nights tour
I'm told.
Moments later they return for the final encore of the show after a quick bow and filming of the audience. Paul lets his fingers fly for a guitar solo, and this would be the last time 'til the Asylum tour where all four members each did a solo, and the only makeup tour to feature this as well. After the solo, Ace announces Paul Stanley's name and Paul goes into the soft intro of "Black Diamond." Eric's gritty & raspy voice adds new flavor to this KISS classic and it¼s complete with all the effects & choreography we've grown to love, including Ace on his knees for the solo and Eric going 40 ft up in the air. This marks the last tour until the reunion for the drum riser.
The credits then roll, along with the ever-present annoying counter at the bottom of the screen. Paul starts talking to the camera in which he says, "What a show! What a show! These guys are great! The makeup I can do without, but the music, the music!" Which makes me wonder, was he imitating the standard KISS critic or was he considering taking off the make up as early as that? To finish this review, on a scale of 1-10 I give this video a 9 for all around performance, quality & pure entertainment value. If you don't have this one for your collection, where have you been....... a cave?
I hope you've enjoyed reading this as much as I did researching and reviewing this tape. Thanks again to Chris for letting me have some fun every month. Until next month's review..........
KISS Museum
News Archive
Features
Tour Dates
Photos