From: Mike E.
I have seen KISS seven times prior to Grand Rapids (4 make-up;3 non-make-up), and all "prior G.R." shows had a few things in common:
1)the show's improved over the years
2)I always purchased tickets at the earliest possible date
3)my seating has been average, at best. Until G.R!

Two weeks before the show a friend called me up to ask me if I would like to go to the show, he had "pretty good" tix. Pretty good?? I could have high-fived Gene from my seat! It was an incredible feeling to be so close to the band I've worshiped for twenty-five years!

The Skidsters came out and played a pretty good set, the crowd seemed into them. The arena was at least three-quarters full for them, which seems to differ in numbers from previous reviews in other towns. The new lead singer looks about as close to Sebastian as they could wish (and don't tell me that wasn't a pre-requisite!), and for the most part he hit the notes. But Sebastian would be hard for anyone to duplicate vocally, so all in all, kudos to Skid Row.

Ted rocked the house, and as was expected in his home state, the crowd was wild for him. So much so I had to wonder if Gene and Paul were starting to worry that someone was stealing thier thunder! But as usual KISS would top all in front of them. Just the anticipation between Ted's set and KISS' opening won the crowd over to THE BAND. When Ted left the stage, everyone knew it was time for the main event.

here is a rundown of the show

Paul:
*Was amazing, and had the hot little babes in ther front row in the palm of his hand.
*hit most of the vocals; 100,000 years was a highlight, it had a very "Alive" feel.
*seemed truly sincere in his thank-you's to the crowd for all the years of kisstory.
*needs to show even a smidgen (is that a word?)of interest when playing God of Thunder.
*kept down the pre-song singing intros (thank you!)
*was the most animated of the four; seemed to really be enjoying himself.

Gene:
*doesn't look nearly as fat as everyone says (some of you people just bitch WAY TOO MUCH.)
*did his signature songs excellent: Dr. Love, G.O.T.; he seemed to struggle a bit in the backing vocals on Lick it up.
*held the crowd mesmerized during the blood-spitting portion of the show.
*told the guy sitting next to me to "get the fuck out of the way", because he was in the way of a girl Gene was flirting with all night!
*seemed pissed at times when he would look in our section and some of the "fans" were sitting down.
*was a commanding presence, though I have seen him more animated at other shows.

Ace:
*Was on something.
*missed his cue for the start of Shock Me (Paul was not amused!)
*played his solos the best I have heard
*looks younger than in the photos

Peter:
*did not want to be there for the first half of the show.
*sang....."Pauly's got you under his thumb..." during Black Diamond.
*had a very short solo
*sang an awesome version of Beth; he seemed to get into the show more as it went on.

THE SHOW:
*by far the best stage they have had!!!
*is the most fitting way to say good-bye, they will not top this one!
*converted two non-fans sitting with me when it was over!
*needs Strutter.
*I love it loud impressed me by being a crowd fave.
*2000 Man could go, it was a go-get-a-beer-time for many when that came on, as was Psycho circus.
*would have been even better if the G.R. crowd would have been more into it *........proves that they are truly THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD.

LONG LIVE THE KINGS OF THE KNIGHTTIME WORLD!!

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