From: Greg Swann
KISS DESTROYS BIRMINGHAM!

KISS rocked the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center on Friday night...I have to say the best KISS show I have seen (this being the 4th one). The freaks were out tonight! The girls were looking right! 5 or 6 good ones on the front row going wild :)

Skid Row played a 30 minute set...not bad...it brought back old memories of my high school days. The new lead singer is not Sebastian Bach, but it was good nonetheless.

Ted Nugent rocked the house! I must say it was worth it to be around to see him...man this guy is so awesome, full of energy. He belted out his classics including "Stormtroopin" Paralyzed" Wang Dang Sweet Poontang"Free For All" Kiss My Ass" Dog Eat Dog" Cat Scratch Fever" Stranglehold" and "Great White Buffalo". He had a confederate flag shirt on for the encore, which thrilled just about everyone in attendance.

Finally! ALRIGHT BIRMINGHAM!!!!!!!!!! YOU WANTED THE BEST, YOU GOT THE BEST!!!! THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD!!! KISS!!!! And a new opening!!! Instead of the four coming down on one platform, Ace, Gene, and Paul were in front and Peter came down behind them on the drums! Playing "Detroit Rock City" as they were descending! The place went nuts!!! I couldn't control myself, I went nuts as well. Paul was in top form tonight! Never have I seen him shake his goods so much, singing well all night long, playing to the women. Gene looked pretty good, he has gained some weight, but so what. Ace looked really good, lost a lot of weight. Didn't seem into it though. Peter was a monster on the drums, nothing like he did on opening night in Phoenix. Playing hard and laughing a lot!

Next was Deuce, Shout It Out Loud, I Love It Loud, and Shock Me. All good songs and well received!!! Then KISS did "Do You Love Me" one of the more sentimental moments for me during the show...during the song there was a video documentary footage played...a lot I hadn't seen before. Kind of emotional, it started to hit me there that this was it for the band. At the end of it, A big "WE LOVE YOU" came across the screen...awesome!

Next was Firehouse, then Dr Love, then Let Me Go Rock and Roll....all rocking the house down!!!! But the moment of the night I was disappointed in was Psycho Circus...its funny because this song should be played first or not at all. It doesn't seem right in the middle of the set list. Then it was time for 2000 Man...very well done. They had the KISS Immortals going on the screen...very cool...Ace's solo was pretty good...he didn't play any old songs in his solo...the old solo pretty much...he did make one mistake and rolled his eyes ha ha Then when he went to shoot the rockets, he accidentally shot the second one off way too soon! LOL Funny moment! All in all a great solo.

Time for Lick It Up!... Let me say the 80's songs they did were done exceptionally well and well received by all 15,000 people that were there...everybody was singing along!!! Then God of Thunder...very cool...but when Gene went to fly, he got turned sideways on the way up! Thank Goodness he straightened up before reaching the platform. AWESOME!!!!! The Flames shooting off behind him were so hot!!! After that Cold Gin, Heaven's on Fire, and 100,000 Years!

Then to me, my highlight of the night. I didn't mention it before, but I had scored 22nd row seats...right in front of Paul's little stage in the center of the arena...and during Love Gun, here comes Paul right in front of me!!!!!!! no more than 8 feet away!!!!! He was awesome to see that close!!! Going wild on his little platform, and smiling and pointing at the girls :) Great moment for me, I will never forget that as long as I live!!!! The ultimate performer, showing everyone why he is the starchild!

Then during the intro to Black Diamond, Paul played one verse of I Still Love You...then went back in to the other song...Thought that was pretty cool. Black Diamond rocked!!!!! Peter was pulled into the air, and his cats were spewing smoke out of their mouths and eyes! Then it was time for the encore, and Beth was very pretty...another emotional moment for me...I had to turn away from my friends so they wouldn't see my tears. I know I am going to see them a few more times on this tour, but it still hits me that this is it. And Finally, Rock and Roll All Nite. SO MUCH CONFETTI!!!!!! It was hard to see Paul smash the guitar because people started standing in their seats, so I had to see that on the screens...It broke into 3 pieces, and of course the girls on the front got them.

What a show!!!! Much more fun that the reunion or Psycho Circus (I was fortunate to catch them on that short and sweet tour) Although I believed the fire marshall put some limits on the pyro, but that's what happens when you have a lower ceiling. Make sure you catch all of the show, including the opening acts...it will be a night you will never forget!!!

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