From: Harvey Haigler
First of all, you would think if your G3 landed next to KISS' on the runway in Greensboro no one would freak out if you asked for autographs... but damn if the band didn't just want to get in the van, wave, and quickly be whisked away. Not even one autograph, not even on my boys signature Ace Frehely Les Paul which just happened to be with us on our plane. It's not like 7 people getting off of a private jet next to the band are going to turn out to be some psycho killers waiting to pounce on a very slow and tired looking super rock group! I mean how many times do fans arriving for the show actually arrive in a private jet at the same time as the band? All we wanted was to say hello, we've loved you for 26 years, thanks for all the memories, yada yada yada and by the way, can you sign this guitar? Anyway, that is how the night started. By the look of the band we expected a tired, let's go through the motions, show me my check kind of show. Then again, this is Greensboro, NC. It's not Atlanta, Dallas or even Orlando. It's the middle of the worlds tobacco empire. Home of more redneck money than you can shake a budweiser at and home of some of the most rabid KISS fans anywhere. These aren't just fans that started liking KISS after Destroyer rather they're fans that saw KISS play back up band on the Fort Bragg Military base in Fayetteville, NC in '74. These fans have been with KISS since the beginning. This show, like all others KISS has played in Greensboro, was going to be memorable. Like every year before the crowd Saturday night ROCKED! Sold out and full of beer (and other things) the arena was busting at the seems to RARANAPED. Same set list since Atlanta and pretty much the same show (with exceptions) but you could tell, Saturday night was special. The band was on, real tight, and very active with the wildlife in front of the stage as even Ace seemed to have his pick. (And everyone else had Ace's picks, thanks for all the picks Ace!) This was the best KISS show I've seen since the reunion and the little solos Ace was breaking off during his 2000 Man gig were awesome. Four or five little diddies from Let Me Know, She, etc... were just what the doctor ordered (sorry Ted). Man, does Ace carry the band or what? We all love Gene and he was certainly having a great night (OHHHH YEAHHHH!!!) and Paul is never off (GREEEEEEEEENSBOROOOOOOO/PEEEEOOPLE) and the raspy Peter makes everyone smile but Ace just smokes every night. Hey Ace, after Cold Gin, didn't you just want to tell the crowd, "that's how you play that fuckin' song"? Man, your a god. For other bands that might read this article and have had thoughts about avioding a place like Greensboro don't, the areana rocks all night. No one sits down and everyone knows the words. No posers here baby. It was sad to think that KISS (originals) might not ever play here again but hey, we've had so many memories and last Saturday night might have been the best one ever. I'll let you know in another 26 years. If anyone thinks that KISS is in it just for the money this time around then don't go to the show. You're wasting a seat for some other 'real' fan. Once again, thank you Greensboro, thank you North Carolina and thank you KISS for an evening, hell, a lifetime, I'll never forget. And a special thanks to God for giving us Rock and Roll and epsecially for giving us KISS. Now, if he could have only gotten me Ace's signature on that tarmac......

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