From: AVentura
Let me start by saying that I have been a KISS fan since Dynasty, have seen 24 KISS shows live, and have praised the KISS name as hard as anyone possibly could. I am a true fan who knows all the intimate details about KISS and their long trek to the "Farewell Tour." Ive read just about every one of the posted reviews, and attended both nights in East Rutherford. I will attempt to combine both nights into 1 review that the true KISS fan will appreciate.

Attendance: 1st night sold out. 2nd night lots of empty upper tier. The Meadowlands fits just under 15,000 for a show. I estimate the attendance for the 2nd night to be about 11,000.

Crowd: New Jersey is considered home for KISS, and the fans have always turned out in support. There was electricity in the air for both nights. However, as KISS has gotten older, so has their fan base. Most were on their feet, but really weren't going crazy. The 2nd night was actually a bit louder. Overall, KISS was well received by the crowd.

Set list: You already know it. It is an embarrassment that so many true gems are left by the wayside for this "Farewell" tour. I understand that KISS wants to please the majority, but don't they realize that 95% of the people showing up to these shows have seen them already either on the Reunion tour or Psycho Circus???

Where is I Want You, Christine 16, I Stole Your Love, Making Love, Strutter, Rock Bottom, Hotter Than Hell??????? I could go on forever........the bottom line is there are only 4 new songs for this tour..........the three new ones without makeup and 2000 Man.........I would think for their last tour there would be an element of surprise in the set list........perhaps Two Timer or Ladies Room.......and I certainly wasn't alone in my feelings.

The Shows: Both nights were flawless. KISS really sounded great. They were tight, the sound was exceptionally clear, and they gave 150% for the entire show, more than the crowd could say. They were constantly urging the crowd to make more noise. The pyro was great, although the finale was better on the Crazy Nights tour in the same venue. I distinctly remember on that tour the fireworks were over the heads of everyone on the floor, and it was totally awesome. Great colored fireworks, and AWESOME flames throughout H on Fire and 100,000 Years. Confetti was everywhere. As far as new dimensions to the stage show, only the intro is different, and very cool. Everything else.......been there, done that.

Ace:Played great both nights. I cant remember 1 mistake or wrong note.....was pretty lifeless on stage, but really played great. Why not get rid of Shock Me and let him do Hard Times or Rocket Ride? His solo was in a nutshell, disappointing.

Peter:I play drums, and really focused on Peter both nights. He really is playing well. Not the most complex, but very solid and very Peter Criss. He played many of the songs like he did on the albums, and really sang great on Black Diamond and Beth. Ive read reviews that have knocked him.....not on these two nights.....he was having a great time, was very animated, and really played his ass off.........thumbs up!!!

Paul:Sounded great on every song, both nights......I really love watching Paul Stanley move on stage.......in a word, he's truly awesome. However, please spare us the sermons. He goes on and on between songs, and really gets annoying after awhile.......especially after two nights of hearing him say THE SAME EXACT WORDS AS THE NIGHT BEFORE. I mean EXACT. More of KISS' lack of spontaneity later.

Gene:Was incredible both nights....He was a real demon....stalking the stage, growling as he sang, everything you've come to love from Gene.......even though his bass solo is the same gig, he really is into it.....his facial expressions are classic. Impressed me both nights big time.

Final Words: Simply stated, I always have and always will love KISS. There is no live show that can come close, and they really work very hard on stage. The bottom line, however, is that the fans are bored with this same show....Its basically the same stage show, but the real disappointment lies in the set list. While I realize that the type of show that KISS puts on must be choreographed, its disgusting to see how the show NEVER changes. You must see them on back to back nights to really understand this. Same songs, same order, same pyro, same words in between songs........everything is exactly the same. Couple that with the Ace solo, Gene solo, and flying Paul stunt, which is the highlight of the show in my eyes, your seeing the same show you've already paid $85 to see......this farewell tour could have truly been memorable.....classic gems, a new stage twist....but instead KISS took the easy way out.......they decided on the songs they already were comfortable with, added a couple non-makeup tunes, and kept the same live stunts...they will always be the greatest rock n roll band of all time......it still is the greatest show on earth......I just expected more from the final tour......KISS claims to be the band that truly gives their fans what they want and deserve........not this time......the final time

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