Welcome to the June issue of Video Spotlight. Summer's here and the time is right for rockin in Anaheim. Hey, you know that could be a hit for somebody. Well as you read the review this month I figured for those who care I'd give a bit of an update on myself from last time we cyber-chated about Kiss videos. I turned a quarter of a century on June 4, yep the big 25 for yours truly. I also started a new job, which is making my life extremely hectic, barely made this deadline. PHEW!!! I know you're thinking, "Enough already, where's the review?" Well, the answer is right before your naked steaming eyes (Thanks Diamond Dave).
5 Facts about Anaheim 1976
1. The only full Destroyer show in existence.
2. One of 2 Kiss related appearances by Flo & Eddie, the other being the 1981 interview promoting the Elder on the Flo & Eddie show (Great skit at the end with the stuffed animals by the way).
3. One of the few stadium gigs available on tape and the only full stadium show available pro shot featuring the original band.
4. This show was 5 days before Gene's birthday.
5. This is the only show to feature, in full view, the elaborate Destroyer stage.
May Poll Results:
Favorite Song From '94 Chile Video
Rank
Song
Votes
1.
Parasite
5
2.
Detroit Rock City
4
3.
War Machine/Makin' Love/I Want You/Deuce
3
7.
God of Thunder/Unholy/I Was Made For Lovin' You
2
10.
Lick It Up/Firehouse/Domino/Rock & Roll All Nite/I Love It Loud/I Stole Your Love/Black Diamond/Love Gun
1
Member Who Gave The Best Performance
Rank
Member
Votes
1.
Gene
18
2.
Paul
10
3.
Eric
7
4.
Bruce
4
Song You Would've Liked To Seen Played Live
Rank
Song
Votes
1.
Take It Off
8
2.
Paralyzed/Heart Of Chrome
6
4.
Spit/God Gave Rock & Roll To You II
4
6.
Thou Shalt Not/Tough Love/I Just Wanna
3
9.
Carr Jam 81
2
THE SHOW
The night, August 20, 1976. The place, Anaheim Stadium.The crowd was ready forä. Wait a minute this sounds too much like Dragnet. Anyway, this is a rare occasion for Kiss, being in a stadium enviroment. Even more so by having celebrity announcers Flo & Eddie from the Turtles.
Detroit Rock City - As always a great opener, even after the horrendous intro by Flo & Eddie. Man, it really sounded to me like an intro from the Muppet Show, but they were "Happy Together." The intro goes like this: "Peter Criss, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, Gene Simmons... KISS yay!!!" Kermit couldn't have done it better himself. The song itself opens up with pyro everywhere and it looks as if Gene is laughing after seeing Flo & Eddie in Kiss makeup, or the blond streak in Paul's hair. The tempo is a bit sped up for my taste but still rocks nonetheless.
King of the Nighttime World -This is one of my favorite Kiss segues. This ranks up with the combos of Watchin You into Domino and Creatures or I Stole Your Love into Deuce.This also is another case where Gene messes lyrics up during the chorus.
Let Me Go Rock & Roll - One word for this one "ANAHEIM AHH" ok 1 and 1/2 words. You're probably saying, "Anaheim, what the hell does that mean?" During the first chorus Gene, in full Demon mode, yells that out and boys & girls it's one of those strange things that sends chills up my spine. Another thing in Kissdom that does that to me as well is the echo part in I Stole Your Love during the "Find out your failing your test (test test cue ECHO here).
Strutter - Another strong version of the ode to women big, small, fat, or thin. Peter cooks on this one, not literally. His timing is strong and precise as is the other band members'. It has a nice pace to it, not to fast, not to slow. Sounds like the 3 bears and the porridge doesn't it?
Hotter Than Hell - This version is sped up, as are most versions of this song that I've seen/heard over the years -- minus the Revenge era version of this number, where it had a nice groove to it. I 'd personally prefer this a bit slower to maintain the feel of the song, but not as dragged out and dingy as the studio incarnation.
Nothin To Lose - This one is the 2nd segue of this show. Nothin to Lose seemed to be a favorite of Kiss to segue into for some reason in the earlier days. In the 1975 Detroit show they played Ladies in Waiting into Nothin To Lose. Before the next song Paul does another famous Starchild rap about California being the "Capital of sun & sin!" Paul always had and still has a way with words, always coming up with new things to say to the crowd. He rarely ever repeats stage raps and avoids becoming stagnant.... well, except for Cold Gin.
Cold Gin - This version is way different than any other versions I've heard before. First, all of the classic Ace Frehley toggle intro is absent and they just shoot right into the main riff of the song. Ace also does his solo here but, it order to stay on schedule the song seems very rushed. Another thing I noticed is some of Paul's facial expressions. He makes some weird faces during the big build-up to Ace's solo. One really nice surprise is that after Ace changes guitars once he's done smoking it to death, he appears stage right on his portion of the stage. I believe it was an ice castle or planet but I'm not sure so don't quote me.
Shout It Out Loud -Gene and Paul seem to play to the camera a lot during this one. This gig is really good in a sense that this was the first stadium gig and they were amped up big time, but they all were in full character which always makes for a great show. The song gets sloppy towards the end due to the fact Peter goes to sing his line and Gene sings at the same time, not a big deal but it sounds pretty funny to me. Peter also ends the song with the scream from the album version rather that Paul doing it.
Do You Love Me - This version is pretty good but I've definitely heard better ones. I used to like this version but I've now become spoiled after hearing the Reunion version with the new ending. One good point is Gene on the chorus singing in full demon mode. That is one thing I would like to see more of, Gene singing like he does in this version but the way they played it on the reunion tour. That in my eyes would be a perfect version of this song.
God of Thunder - Gene in green lights, tons of fog/smoke appears very ominous but thanks to the awesome presence of the Destroyer set he spits the blood from his castle. The song is followed by another way too long Peter Criss drum solo. Now don't get me wrong I love Peter, but like Ace they need to come up with new things if they're gonna keep doing solos. All my friends that saw the Reunion tour called Peter's solo "T Shirt Time" because we were bored to tears by the same solo. Take Eric Carr for example, every year something new. You can even add Eric Singer to that. Yeah, he used the same laser effect as Eric but dammit he played "Oh Susanna!" Ok, not so impressive to some, but the cymbal catching double bass portion is one of my old metal double bass drummin' lovin self's favorite solos (say that fast 10 times I dare ya!!). So, to make a long point short, Peter needs to be more original on the next tour. If not, sacrifice the solo and give us 2 extra songs in the set.
Rock & Roll All Nite - The classic anthem is given another spin here in Anaheim. Like all other versions this one is complete with confetti, Paul and his blonde streak breaking the guitar and lots of big boom booms.
Deuce - As weird as the placement is here for this song, it still kicks major butt wherever it is. The band seems to be re-energized when they play this one, almost as if all four members took batteries out of their back ala The Energizer Bunny and put new ones in. The only other time or tour I know of where this was played late in the set was Detroit 10/16/96, which is available as a single shot/handheld and the Brooklyn Bridge 9/4/96 pro shot set for MTV.
Firehouse - You can almost hear the people sweating by this point as if to say, "Oh no! Gene's not gonna spit fire!" because of Firehouse being done so late in the set. This, along with the latter, ranks up there with weird placements in Kisstory set list wise. This is played with the sails at half-mast; in other words the band lost some energy they had when they played Deuce. Nice fire blast from Gene so not to disappoint the crowd.
Black Diamond - This one closes the show like on most occasions, saving Purina boy's only lead vocal of the evening. I was, however, thrown off by the "new" lyrics -- they go as follow: " I want tuna, I want liver, Meow Mix, Meow Mix please deliver." Oh wait, that was Dr. Evil in Austin Powers... sorry my mistake. Anyway, the song, like in most cases, ends with Peter going way up in the air. At this point Peter was so high (in more ways than one) the band should have put an elevator doorman with him on the riser: {{Bing}} "2nd floor: children's wear, Ladies lingerie." 30 some odd feet later and more explosions than Bill Clinton's underwear the show is over and another chapter in Kisstory is done.
Rating
The band was totally in character as stated before, so with that in mind, the set list, and quality of the video I would give it a 9. BUT, (tires screeching) since this stage was so killer and you really didn't get the full effect of all the scenery that made the Destroyer stage so massive I have to deduct some points off, so I'll be generous and give it an 8. By the way, there is 1 other piece from Destroyer to collect which in some way shape or form will be reviewed soon (How many times have I said that line? LOL!). That piece isä. Houston 1976. The drawback is it's only 1/2 the show.
So that's all for this month 'Til then, see ya next month and thanks for all the nice e-mails and support I've gotten over the last 6 month I've been doing this. Gene's right, Kiss fans are the best!
Welcome to the June issue of Video Spotlight. Summer's here and the time is right for rockin in Anaheim. Hey, you know that could be a hit for somebody. Well as you read the review this month I figured for those who care I'd give a bit of an update on myself from last time we cyber-chated about Kiss videos. I turned a quarter of a century on June 4, yep the big 25 for yours truly. I also started a new job, which is making my life extremely hectic, barely made this deadline. PHEW!!! I know you're thinking, "Enough already, where's the review?" Well, the answer is right before your naked steaming eyes (Thanks Diamond Dave).
The night, August 20, 1976. The place, Anaheim Stadium.The crowd was ready forä. Wait a minute this sounds too much like Dragnet. Anyway, this is a rare occasion for Kiss, being in a stadium enviroment. Even more so by having celebrity announcers Flo & Eddie from the Turtles.
Cold Gin - This version is way different than any other versions I've heard before. First, all of the classic Ace Frehley toggle intro is absent and they just shoot right into the main riff of the song. Ace also does his solo here but, it order to stay on schedule the song seems very rushed. Another thing I noticed is some of Paul's facial expressions. He makes some weird faces during the big build-up to Ace's solo. One really nice surprise is that after Ace changes guitars once he's done smoking it to death, he appears stage right on his portion of the stage. I believe it was an ice castle or planet but I'm not sure so don't quote me.
Rock & Roll All Nite - The classic anthem is given another spin here in Anaheim. Like all other versions this one is complete with confetti, Paul and his blonde streak breaking the guitar and lots of big boom booms.
KISS Museum