From: Bud E. Luvbomb
My final KISS show, well we'll see I guess, but I was prepared for this to be my last. Being a Columbus native, I was quite glad to see them back in Ohio's capital. Paul said they came back because "once is not enough, and there are 8,000 people in COlumbus who want to see us again!" I think the promoters had more to do with KISS coming back than they did though. KISS played as part of the month long grand opening celebration of the Nationwide Arena. The arena is doing there best to keep something going on inside everynight for the grand opening. KISS played at the Schottenstein Center up on the OSU campus when it was brand new on the Psycho Circus tour, and it was one of the most successful shows of the tour, and of the venue, so it made sense to have KISS back to open up another new arena. Although it was no where near a sell-out, it was fine, because this time you knew it was the die-hards who showed up, and KISS still make out like bandits even of only a few thousand people show up. With KISS' ticket prices, jsut do the math! All this talk of this tour going under because it isn't a completely sold out show everynight is dumb, but the people on the message board who say that look like they have too much time on their hands anyway. The Nationwide Arena is tremendous. It is just beautiful. I can't wait to come back here to see some more shows, they have opened the doors for metal at thsi place, as Pantera are playing here in December! Woo Hoo! During SKid Rows set, I walked around the concourse checking the place out, talking to people I knew, and I was quite impressed with the venue, as was everyone I spoke too. After Skid Row I made the way to my seat down on the floor. As I waited for the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" all kinds of memories were surging thru me. Waiting in line for KISS tickets over the years, skipping school the day a new KISS record came out, getting cool KISS stuff for christmas, which girlfriend I had with me at what shows, etc. It felt bittersweet, I've been a KISS fan for as long as I can remember, I started to feel "old" Oh well. On came Roger Daltrey screaming "YEEAAHHH!!! " and down came the curtain, I got chills! Charlie Benante recently said "some people get on KISS for milking it, and maybe I did too, but they are the only band that makes my hair stand up and gives me chills." I feel the same way. KISS came out the same way as always and played the same ol' set. They were a little looser this time, I don't know that it was a better show than Dayton, but hell this is a long tour. I mean, they started early last March, so it was still friggin' winter, here it is fall, and they are still playing. Paul made it noticeable how long they've been out when he pointed out that he has lost track of the calendar when he said "Columbus remember this night, Friday September, 22nd in the year 2000!" Well Paul, it was the 29th buddy. Oh well, nobody seemed to mind. I'm kinda speechless still, a little sad at seeing the greatest band on earth for the last time. I can't wait for the PPV.

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