From: Joey Faraci
On June 23, 2000 I saw KISS for the last time at the Air canada Centre in Toronto. I tried to capture every moment and put it in my mind's memories knowing this would be the last time I would see the band that inspired me and made me a better person.
What I saw was anything and everything I thought I could hope to see and more and I tried to embrace every moment of the last KISS show I would ever see. Or at least that's what I thought.
Not too often does one get to experience a once in a lifetime moment like your first kiss, first sexual experience etc. Luckily I was able to say goodbye one last time.
On September 23,2000 I saw KISS again for the last time at Hamilton's Copps Coliseum and, believe it or not, it was even better!!! Knowing what to expect made everything easier for me to enjoy but I must say that the boys gave a better show than the one they gave in Toronto.
With rumours of Peter leaving during the week of the show made one wonder what to expect- but I've never seen the Catman smile so much as this show,and ,moreover, out the last 3 tours of the original line-up I think he's playing better than the last 2 tours! Ace was Ace you give him a guitar and he's......ACE FREHLEY!!!! If you know Ace live you know what I'm talking about and there is a definitive improvement too on this tour. His solo consisting of classic KISS and his more recent styles shined, he was tight and well melodic, especially for his classical solo and his 2001 tribute.
Gene was everything you expect him to be: he is a monster/comic-book character come to life the perfect character and ultimate KISSman!
Paul Stanley though still blows my mind away! He is the ultimate performer and makes you proud to be a KISS fan; maybe it has something to do with him playing the Phantom of the Opera here in Toronto ( I was lucky enough to see his very first performance!) but his vocals have improved a thousand fold!! His range is better and he has the energy of a 20-year old on stage, the man is the ultimate frontman.
Not only that but the rare footage,the video game, the fire,the smoke,Ace's guitar on fire , Peter's rising kit, Paul flying into the audience for Love Gun, Gene flying over the audience for God of Thunder, but not just that- but on this tour I've never,ever, seen them all so happy and comfortable with each-other and themselves in their own skin (or make-up), laughing and joking and having a good time. The energy was powerful.
To see them play classics like Duece and 100,000 years and other songs like Heaven's on Fire and I Love It Loud was astounding, plus Gene's growling OH-YEAH!!! and even him saying Wassap! or Paul doing his I Still Love You and I Was Made For Loving You gave me a full package.
I was proud to be is KISS fan, as I always am seeing them "retire" on a very high note only made think that everyone I know could see the show so that they could understand that this is only ONE of the reasons I've made KISS my favourite band. I never thought when I saw them in concert for the first time on the Crazy Nights tour back in '87 that it would end on such an amazing spectacle.
KISS: many thank-you's for the music, the interviews ( very inspiring by the way) and moreover for the greatest show in the world!!!!
Paul Stanley said after he broke the guitar: " Remember us in your dreams, because we'll be looking for you in ours." Thank-You Guys