From: Chris Stompanato
It was a HOT night in Chicago. Well, at least in the Allstate Arena it was. A combination of a huge SRO crowd and columns of flames turned up the heat, so much so that Paul even commented "Man, it's hot in this building." This wasn't part of his stage rap, either. Paul did give credit to the crowd for the blazing conditions.

In any event, Skid Row got things started off in fine form. I really enjoy their short set, and they get a good reaction from the crowd. Nice way to start the evening.

As for Terrible Ted, what can I say? His three piece unit smokes. I loved it when he said, "we're here tonight celebrating 200 years of KISS shit! I love that KISSie shit!" Great set list and performance.

Onto what we were all here for. KISS has had a long history in Chicago. It all started back in 1974 when they played at Aragon Ballroom (or Brawlroom as Chicagoans call it). In fact, this general admission venue still plays hosts to big acts today. KISS then moved onto larger venues as their popularity grew like the International Amphitheater and the great Chicago Stadium, two arenas that sadly have met the wrecking ball. When the 80's arrived and the make-up came off, KISS made the UIC Pavilion their home for tours right through Revenge, aside from their great HITS Tour show in 1990 at the New World Music Theater, the only time I've seen KISS outdoors. Since the Reunion, KISS has played all Chicago shows at the Allsate Arena (formerly Rosemont Horizon), the site of tonight's show.

Ok, ok. Enough of the Chicago concert venue history and onto the show! The show opening is classic with the boys descending from the ceiling during DRC. For the first two or three tunes, this crowd was the absolute loudest I've ever heard at a show, but I think we lost steam as the heat in the arena became stifling. KISS didn't slow down though, as they tore through the same set-list they've been playing.

Ace was definitely on tonight. I saw the Memphis show a couple weeks ago and I was critical of Ace, but he was fine form this night. It's funny because we all mention how Ace is occasionally late getting back to the stage for songs but tonight, this happened to both Gene and Peter!

In any event, all effects pretty much went off without a hitch. The band sounded great, probably as good as I've ever heard them. The 80's songs sounded terrific, especially Lick It Up.

And then they were gone. It's hard to believe KISS, the original KISS, is coming to an end as a touring entity. Lord knows I'm going to miss my all-time favorite band, although I still have tonight, next week in Moline, and maybe Milwaukee. I don't want this to end...

KISS ASYLUM -- KISS Museum News Archive Features Tour Dates Photos