From: Glenn
I met a group of friends on August 18th for the KISS show in Lafayette, Louisiana. We've all experienced KISS live a dozen times or so, dating back to 1976, and a few of us have met them (more than once). Safely ensconsed in our adult lives, the news of the Lafayette show gave us a rare excuse to throw off our responsibilities and routines for a day, and meet for a concert, dinner and a few laughs.

The crowd was much larger than I expected. The lines outside the Cajundome were long and thick with enthusiastic concert-goers. Yet, it was not a typical rock-concert crowd; many generations were represented. The crowd was generally better behaved than any I remember -- very little profane language overheard, no scent of marijuana, no whiskey bottles littering the grounds outside the arena. And, true to South Louisiana custom, tail-gaters grilling burgers, sausage, chicken and seafood! Why, the event this evening could have been an LSU football game, except for the occassional fan in full KISS regalia! Skid Row started the festivities, playing to an arena only 1/3 full, and while many people were roaming the venue, perhaps searching for familiar faces. All-in-all their set was pretty good, and it was SO GOOD to finally, once again, see a band with guitars, headbanging, and playing hard rock the way bands used to!!! Rock in the 90's was horrible throughout, what with the depressing Seattle groups and post-metal amateurs that have more in common with REM and U2 than the great classic hard rock and metal bands: KISS, Van Halen (pre-1984), Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Scorpions, Dio, etc.

Skid Row's new lead singer performed admirably, having such shoes to fill. Heck, from the upper level, he even looked a lot like Sebastien Bach! And as their set concluded, their actual seated audience had doubled, and was getting into their show. "Youth Gone Wild" was their last song, sending them out on a positive note.

Next, Ted Nugent stormed on, opening "Stormtroopin'." His 3-piece lineup was most ably anchored by Tommy Aldridge, who Nugent several times boasted was/is "the greatest rock and roll drummer in the world..." 'Hard to argue with that. Aldridge is noticeably better than most, and it was apparent from first moments of the Nugent band's set, to the last.

Ted's playing was a mix of his old familiar style, with fresh licks and scales. He's been around the block a few times, since the height of his popularity in the late-70s/early-80s, jammed with some of the best, and evolved his style. But basically he is still Ted, still a wildman, still believes excess-is-success, and the crowd in Lafayette seemed to agree! I strongly disagree with "Callie," who also went the concert and posted a review on this forum: Ted's politically-charged comments were far from "stupid." Sure some of his comments were risque and sexually-explicit, but really presented as a caricature. It was all in good fun, and the people who cheered Nugent and gave him standing ovations understood that. When Nugent spoke of petty tyrants who want to infringe upon our liberties, he was 100% correct. And, from where I sat, the crowd in Lafayette LOVED Ted, his music, and ate-up everything he said. Anyone expecting the "Motor City Madman" to have mellowed over time into a P.C. wimp will be disappointed...

Nugent paid tribute to KISS, and urged everyone to enjoy the farewell tour. Few, if any, needed that encouragment.

The crowd came to rock, and so did the "Hottest Band in the World." From the opening chords of "Detroit Rock City," band and audience were concilient. "Deuce" came next, and kept the audience to its feet, as did the next number, "Shout It Out Loud." KISS looked good and sounded good. The video screens zoomed in on band members, and on occassion immortalized audience members. Some numbers, such as "Do You Love Me" featured pre-recorded video clips (instead of live shots of the band). The video montage during "Do You Love Me" was an excellent blend of older photos and live clips.

"People of Lafayette, good people," Paul exclaimed, "we're honored to be with you tonight." Paul, we were honored to be with you, too, old friend. You and your bandmates are like familiar old friends or classmates to many of us. We grew up with KISS. We watched your mistakes, even as we, too, went through the typical mistakes that are an inevitable part of growing up. We shared in your triumphs, and you and your music were omnipresent in ours.

Gene and Paul were steady, as ever. Ace was steady, too. He was not the sloppy, rather sad musician I saw in the mid-80s (with Frehley's Comet). This "reunion" has definitely been good for the Spaceman.

Peter Criss, however, will always be KISS's first major mistake. His drumming was never anything to write home about, but at least for the first couple years it was okay. In Lafayette, he looked bad and his individual performance was lackluster. In 1979, I and my friends saw KISS twice, in Baton Rouge, LA in August, then in Biloxi, MS in December (one of Peter's last gigs with KISS, before the 1995 reunion). We smuggled a small cassette tape recorder in the Biloxi show, and recorded that concert. Clearly, as Paul was enjoying the audience and being professional, and wanting as he always does to give a great performance, he was thanking the crowd, etc., before introducing the final encore number -- and Peter Criss was bitching at Paul from behind the drum kit, into his vocal mic, to "make it another day..." Peter Criss did KISS a huge favor when he decided to "call it a day," and its a shame Eric Carr didn't live to participate in the Reunion and Farewell tours, instead of Peter Criss.

In spite of Peter, though, KISS kicked major tail! "God of Thunder," "Love Gun" and "Heaven's on Fire" rocked. Paul's "solo" was very efficient, and smart, this time. In years past, he picked and jammed on the guitar, but was not very impressive, because it was never his strength. This time, he picked just a little, then performed "I Still Love You" -- accompanied only by his own guitar, through the first chorus. THAT was IMPRESSIVE! His vocals were fantastic, and he really connected with his audience. He wound down from "I Still Love You," seamlessly segueing into the intro from "Black Diamond." Peter sang this one well (but, then, his singing has never been a problem, just his timing). Criss cam out for the 1st encore and sang "Beth." It would have been better with acoustic guitars, rather than having the same old pre-recorded orchestra music, but this was not to be. 'Sounded okay; no complaint. Still it would have been a treat to have the whole band play "Beth."

Next, of course, the number one rock anthem of all time "Rock and Roll All Nite." Pyros, confetti, Paul smashing a prop-guitar, but most of all, and emotional high, defined those last few moments. Paul urged the crowd: "Please don't forget us, 'cause we'll never forget you." It may have been their finest hour. It certainly was a show Lafeyette will never forget.

KISS ASYLUM -- KISS Museum News Archive Features Tour Dates Photos