From: Mean_Gene
We're now two days removed from the Orlando KISS show. Instead of reviewing each song played, I've decided to review the day, 4/11, up to and during the show. The local radio stations were all talking about the KISS concert Tuesday. The #1 radio show in Orlando, WTKS's "The Monsters of the Midday"' was really hyping up KISS. Russ Rollins, who is a HUGE KISS fan, was telling the other members of the show what a great time they will be having at the concert. The other "monsters", especially "Dirty Jim" and "Daniel", were ragging about how old KISS was and if Peter threw his drumsticks to the audience, his arms would fall off! The other two stations I heard personally, WHTQ (classic rock 96.5) and WJJR (modern rock 101.1) BOTH played a block of KISS during noontime! Even the DJ from WJRR, after the normal three-song block, said "With KISS being in town and the final tour and all, we can't just play three songs...". They then played "I Stole Your Love" AND "Beth" from ALIVE II! WAY COOL!

After working all day in anticipation of the concert, my wife and I flew down the East-West Exprswy toward the T.D. Waterhouse Centre. NOTE: I have to take my hat off to my wife, who has put up with my KISS obsession for more than 6 years! She has stuck by my side and bought me all kinds of merchandise over time. This was her second KISS concert (the first being the Reunion Tour in '96). She is my FIRST love in life, then KISS.

We arrived around 6:00p and the doors haven't opened yet. We stood around talking to a couple in wheelchairs who drove from Jacksonville to see the show! They had purchased handicapped-accessible tix on the floor but were screwed when the ticket person tore their tix and gave them back someone else's tix! They wound up sitting next to us in the concourse section where the other wheelchair accessible section was, between the top and bottom bowls (I'm in a wheelchair, also). They were a little miffed, because the guy had people standing up in front of him and missed most of the show. He couldn't even see the screens!

Anyway, on to the show! The Skidders came out and got some crowd response toward the end of their set, when they played "Youth Gone Wild". Then a few minutes later, Uncle Theodore came out to a great response! My wife noted that Ted was wearing the same black and white tiger-skinned patterned shirt she was! She is a big Ted fan and this got her really fired up! This was my third time seeing Ted (Crazy Nights, HOB Orlando a couple years ago and Tuesday). He went on about being an American and his guitar was American made, but the loudest response during his set, and one of the loudest of the whole night, was when he said "if you can't speak English, get the f**k out of America! And you know what I'm talking about!" This was an obvious snipe towards the Elian Gonzalas situation!

After the lights went up after Ted's set, the house was playing Van Halen (DLR era). After a few songs from VH, they put on "Won't Get Fooled Again". I'm thinking "OK, they're cueing up the audience for KISS!" Theydrop the KISS curtain toward the last "YEAH!" in the song. After the song is over, they will drop the house lights and the show will begin. NOPE! They play some more VH! Boy, did I get fooled, pun intended!

The house lights dropped and the crowd, 15,000 strong, went nuts! I won't go into details about the concert because everyone else has already stated exactly my same opinions. Highlights included Gene puking and flying during "G.O.T", Paul flying during "L.G.", Ace's solo (he was really kickin' it!) and Peter's drumming, which I admired his stamina, considering he has suffered from Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. My wife had the same problem a few years ago from her old job. She used to come home every day in pain and could hardly sleep at night from it. So my hat's off to Peter. What a trooper!

I noticed also that the gang was getting along great. After Deuce, Ace and Gene were swinging arm in arm, like they were square dancing! When Ace stumbled on the stairs, everyone in the arena gasped! But he recovered and Peter was laughing his ass off! Gene kept licking Ace's face whenever they got close to each other. Ace would mockingly back away and Gene would give him a "come here" with his index finger! REALLY FUNNY! After Gene puked blood, he started his "OH YEAH" bit, trying to get the crowd off. He folded his arms and looked at his wrist, as if he had a watch on checking the time. This really got the crowd pumped. Gene then got a big smile on his face. In fact, the whole band had smiles all night! Ace and Paul would high-five when Ace was introduced by Paul! Peter, at the end of "B.D.", said "Orlando...KISS really loves you! Thank you so much! Rock and Roll!"

You already know about the rest. We were wore out after the concert! I will treasure this day for the rest of my life. I want to thank my wife; she was the one that was instrumental in snaring the tix and buying my cap, my t-shirt, and my keychain. She made this all possible! I didn't think we were going to be able to afford to go, but she was determined to make my dream a reality! I LOVE YOU, DONNA!! YOU ARE THE GREATEST!! And thanks to KISS for the memories through the years...

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