From: Frank Mezler
I was at the May 5th show at the Gund Arena in Cleveland and I have tickets for the 24th in Buffalo, but this was the one I was looking forward since it is in my home town. The last time KISS was in Erie was the Hot in the Shade Tour back in 1990. Of course I always got to see them in Cleveland or Pittsburgh or Buffalo, but like the old saying goes - There's no place like home!

My wife gave me a fantastic Father's Day gift this year - front row ticket on Gene's side- between the raised part of the stage where they stand sometimes and the center! I kinda of felt bad since my friends were up in the stands while I am down on the stage, but there was only one available and she thought it was the chance of a lifetime. The closest I had ever been was row five in Pittsburgh. When the curtain came down so they could get the back of stage ready, I looked over to the section where my friends were sitting and sure enough they were looking right at me giving me the two fists in the air as if to say "Get ready for the ride of your life!".

KISS opened up with Detroit Rock City and my heart just right into my throat- I couldn't believe this was happening! Gene came right over to the front of the stage where I was and we all just went nuts. They really seem to feed off the energy the crowd gives them. The set list was the same as what's been posted for the other shows. Here are just a couple of things I will never forget:

1. When Gene would go to his raised part of the stage he would take his water bottle and lay it on its side and then stomp on it with his huge boot. It was like being hit with a Super Soaker. Maybe he could tell we were just sweating so much and thought he would cool us off.

2. Gene seemed to be somewhat "stingy" with his picks. I was lucky enough to get one - he seemed to throw it right at me. He threw one at it sailed away from me. He threw another and it was way off. The third one was the charm and once he saw that I got it, he didn't throw another. Paul and Ace were launching theirs wherever they were - I would have had a better chance in the third or fourth row for one of theirs. But the two of them were constantly throwing picks - Gene rarely.

3. The guys seemed to be really surprised at the amount of noise we were making. The Convention Center only holds 6000 and maybe because it was smaller it just seemed louder, but my friend who has been to the other one with me said everyone around him was going nuts and he thought they sounded especially loud. The look on Paul's and Gene's faces on some of the sing backs and when we had to yell for Paul to come out during Love Gun seemed to confirm it for me.

4. The last show they did before the Erie one was on the sixteenth, so maybe they all got a couple of days rest because they seemed to be in great spirits and having a blast. Paul started to say something about Gene and Gene immediately went up to the mike and said something about Paul that made him laugh and stop what he was saying. I couldn't make it out what he said though. When the four came to the front for their bow, Peter reached out into the crowd to take some flowers and Ace went up behind him and gave him a push out into the crowd before grabbing him back real quick. Peter's face caused the whole band to start laughing. They looked so relaxed and seemed to be enjoying themselves so much.

All in all a great show. The band really played their heart out and I kind of wish this was my last show since the one in Buffalo will not compare - but then I remember I can never get enough KISS and when Buffalo is done, it will be a very sad ride home - knowing I saw my favorite band since 1976 for the last time.

Thank you KISS for everything you gave given me. I will never forget you!

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