From: Mike Vician
I don't know how to start but DAMN...was it so damn awesome!!!! This is was a very special night for me because this was my 9th and very last KISS show, and what better way to end my "KISSing" in the 3rd row! I won those tix from 97.9 the Loop about a month ago.

From the start of the day, I woke up around noon because I got home from last night's concert at 5am...that show rocked as well. I got to my buddy Glenn's house in Joliet to start our painting. It has been a ritual now for me to paint my face up like Gene. It took me a little while to get it on because I like to look good rather than some of the slop jobs that I see from other people, but that doesn't make them bad because KISS fans our the greatest, it's not about the way you look, it's about the spirit of KISS, the spirit of rock n' roll, am I right? So anyways, we left around 5:30. Let's just say that it's only about a half hour drive from Romeoville to the Allstate Arena and we got there about 7:45, giving us enough time to see the Motor City Madman himself, Ted Nugent, play his set. Everytime that I've seen him on this tour: Louisville, Chicago, and Chicago again, he has just kicked some major ass. What a great rally song for him, KISS my Ass!, he had the whole damn house singing that song, but it has truth and it just rocked. I'm tired of reading these other reviews talking about how they can't stand his "political" crap, but it's so true, the is America damn it, where we know how to rock, and he always praises the attitude by which the crowd gives off...that rock n' roll attitude. He then went into Cat Scratch fever, which he mentions all the time that even the faggots will be eating pussy tonight...gotta love him. Then went into stranglehold and finally, Great White Buffalo...that rocked! Right before they left the stage, he made his sacrifice with his bow and arrow. One thing that was on my mind, seeing how that I had such an awesome view in the 3rd row....I seen his sacrificial guitar with a bunch of holes in his guitar.....is he really playing it throughout the song...or even the set? Either way...he kicked major ass. You rock Uncle Ted.

Last but not least, KISS! I don't know how many times I thanked God for bringing me there, but everyone that knows me would say that I deserved those tickets for all of the stuff that I've been through involving KISS. I'm sure by now, you all know the set list, so there's no need for going into that. Besides, I probably couldn't tell you, I wasn't taking notes on which was when or I couldn't even tell you because I just rocked so damn hard at the show, but I can tell you on what happened. As far as pick wise...Ace was very generous with the picks...he threw on our way, but my best friend Glenn caught it...you should've seen his reaction, but withoug any hesitance, he gave it to me, without me even asking...wow,what a friend. He told me that I deserved it, I can't ask for a better friend in the world...thanks Gelnn!!! I love you man!!! Gene on the the other hand, I was on his side of the stage, he was pretty stingy...but I'm not gonna complain. All throughout the concert, when Gene, Ace, or Paul came about to that side...they always gave us looks, which is so awesome because you know that they acknowlede that you are there. In the first row, there was a woman on the very left who was very attractive, so of course, when either of the guys came over, they always gave her looks, shit...even when they were on the other side of the stage. I guess you have to be a woman huh? At one point, Gene kicked his water on his from the stage a few times which was really cool! Back to the picks, it's amazing how wild people get to try and grab one. Gene through one our way, it went a little over my head, I turned, jumped, and next thing you know...I took out 4 people...crazy!!! On "Do You Love Me," they played their career on the big screen, which I admit, gets me very emotional because they mean so much to me. I actually had a couple of tears going, but I'm not ashamed of it becuase it was a cry of happines and a cry of celebration of KISS! What was really funny, on "2000 Man," Ace's guitar wasn't plugged in and then all of the sudden, Peter just lost the beat, it was funny, but hey, he's human right? When Gene flew to the roof top for "God of Thunder," they left him hanging for a few seconds till he got on the platform, the look on his face was just priceless. It was very cool to see those guys up on the stage talking to each other and smiling having a great time playing together. Rock and Roll All Nite was just way to cool, I stopped taking picture at the point becuase this was gonna be the last time that I will ever be able to rock to that song live. It was really cool when Paul thanked the crowd, knowing that we mean so much to him as means to us. And he's right, if a band doesn't show you the respect that we deserve, they for sure as hell won't get our respect, and from the very first time I seen them October 21st, 1996, they had my respect without any problems. I guess I really can't write anymore, sorry if you were bored with this, but thanks for reading all of it, but I just can't describe the feeling that I have inside of me right now.

KISS, I love you guys so much, I can't tell you enough times! You are the greatest rock n' roll band ever. I don't care if I'm only 18, but you guys just mean so much for me! Thanks for rocking me:

October 21, 1996 Rosemont Horizon Chicago, IL
April 13, 1997 Peoria Civic Center Peoria, IL
October 31, 1998 Dodger "Rock" Stadium Los Angeles, CA
December 20, 1998 Bradley Center Milwaukee, WI
December 29, 1998 Rosemont Horizon Chicago,IL
December 31, 1998 Palace of Auburn Hills Detroit, MI
April 29, 2000 Freedom Hall Louisville, KY
May 11, 2000 Allstate Arena Chicago, IL
May 12, 2000 Allstate Arena Chicago, IL
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

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