From: Frank Murtaugh
Not a hitch. Not a single hitch. The boys have never been more on their game than they were last night in The Pyramid. I had some concerns going in, having read about various mechanical glitches with some of the theatrics . . . but everything went off in harmony, to say the least.

Paul Stanley looks as though he could do this another 10 years. His vocals couldn't have been more tight, his shrieks peeling whatever paint was left on the arena's walls. Needless to say, the Starchild's shining moment was on the mini-stage in the middle of the floor . . . best rendition of "Love Gun" you'll ever see.

Gene is still the monster he's always been. What I'll carry with me for years to come is how much fun the entire band seemed to be having last night . . . but especially our favorite blood-spitting bassist. You should have seen Gene and Ace clowning with each other during "Cold Gin." Gene's vocals, too, were right on (more so than they were on the Reunion Tour visit to Memphis).

Ace was ripping. His solo was fun (a little medley from his solo album's hits), but he was a blast to watch more for how he seemed to complete the ax-wielding trio up front. Reminded me why the original foursome is how KISS will always be remembered. I've always felt Peter was the weak link, and was carried for years on the coat-tails of his bandmates. But even the Catman was alive last night. A really cool solo with sort of a "cosmic," techno beat. Peter carried his weight last night.

Song highlights? You could quite literally feel the heat of "Heaven's On Fire" every time those blow-torches would light up their 10-foot balls of fire. The band kicked on "Firehouse" (somehow a tune they've always hit with gusto) and Ace's "2000 Man" was a crowd favorite, for several obvious reasons.

Tidbits: * Best costume in the audience: a guy came dressed as the Phantom of the Opera, with a strategically placed black star on the familiar half-mask. *Paul's impression of our native son was right on! ("Thankya verrmuch. Thankya verrmuch, Memfus.") How could this A-plus show be (somehow) improved? The boys need to play "Strutter." I don't know how that classic was overlooked (a better tune than the automatic "Black Diamond"). Also, REVENGE is too good an album to be ignored on this Farewell Tour. "Unholy" or "Domino" would have been great additions. But I'm nit-picking. Can't wait to see them Friday night in Nashville!

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