From: Harvey
Wow! Great Kiss show! I first saw Kiss an an 18 year old (New York City, 1977, the 'Rock n Roll Over' tour. I also saw them a few times in the 1980's, in Rochester, N.Y. I saw Kiss for their Reunion tour in Pittsburgh (1996), and again in Pittsburgh last December. And now, as a 41 year old, I probably witnessed my final Kiss show. I am writing this review at 1am (late Friday night/early Saturday morning). The concert ended at 11:20pm. Just got back, and I had to write this right away.

I've been a Kiss follower & fan since 1976. Too bad I can't personally thank the guys for 24 fabulous years. Tonight's show was great. You know how people always say the first time is always the best? First kiss, first date, first concert, first anything? My first Kiss show, the Madison Square Garden concert in '77 was unbelievable. I'll never be able to top that first experience. That night Ikept rubbing my eyes, asking myself, "is this for real? I'm really seeing Kiss live!?!"

I was very fortunate having secured 13th row seats for the Friday night show in Pittsburgh. I got to the concert late. I missed Skid Row. I saw the last song of Ted Nugent. Didn't matter. I was there for only one reason. After comfortably settling in my seat for this outdoor venue, my heart suddenly raced at 9:10pm. That's when the lights went out. The band makes you wait for about 3 or 4 minutes with the lights out. Then suddenly the curtain reveals the Fantastic Four (I think Gene would like that reference to one of his favorite Marvel Comics' superhero groups).

It's pretty cool when this 41 year old can still get chills from a rock concert experience. That's what happened when Kiss first appeared tonight, belting out "Detroit Rock City!" Here's the complete Pittsburgh set performed by Kiss:

1) Detroit Rock City
2) Deuce
3) Shout it out Loud
4) I love it loud
5) Shock Me
6) Firehouse
7) Do you love me
8) Calling Dr. Love
9) Heavens on Fire
10) Let me go rock n roll
11) 2000 Man
12) Psycho Circus
13) Lick it Up
14) God of Thunder
15) Cold Gin
16) 100,000 years
17) Love Gun
18) I still love you / Black Diamond
19) Beth (encore #1)
20) Rock n Roll all Nite (encore #2)

My wife was supposed to join me for this show. She got too busy (and she's not a Kiss nut like me). Too bad. I would have enjoyed watching her squirm and get disgusted by Gene's sinister blood bath during "God of Thunder." Gene was his usual gross & ghoulish self. Blood dripping, toungue waggling, and those menacing eyes. Gene Simmons is the "Darth Vadar" of musicians. And I mean that as a compliment in every way. The bloodier Gene is, the better. And for those not close to the stage, the giant size video screens will let you see the red stuff drooling out of the monster's mouth.

Random notes from the show:

-After a beachball landed onstage, Paul punched it back to the crowd during Firehouse.

-About 15,000 fans on hand to see the final Pittsburgh Kiss concert

-Cool video during "Do you love me." clips are from Kiss' 27 year history. Everything from Gene's appearance on the Mike Douglas TV show to Kiss' concerts from the early 1970's. The video was so good, that was the one time I had a hard time keeping my eyes on the band.

-Paul is Mr. Showbiz. He probably name dropped Pittsburgh about 12 times during the night. What a great showman. And he didn't disappoint during his flying routine during "Love Gun."

-Neat computer generated graphics and animation on the video screen during Ace's "2000 Man." Ace cracks me up. He appears like he's in slow motion. While Paul leaps and runs around like a maniac, Ace slowly moves at his own pace.

-"Cold Gin" is not my favorite Kiss song, but it was tonight. The boys really rocked on that one. Bam bam. Kiss pounded away. It was good, old fashioned rock n roll.

-Gene was fantastic all night. His gruesome expressions and antics are priceless. Another tribute to Gene's love of Marvel comics: Gene "hulks" around the stage with grace...like a ferocious vampire awaiting his next bedtime snack. His voice was in fine form. I didn't detect any slippage in his (or any of the other guys)vocals.

-Toward the end of the show, after "Beth" was finished, all four members lined up for a group bow. Gene has his arm around Peter's neck. Then Paul surprises Peter with a knee to his butt. It was cool seeing the guys laughing and clowning around. They were acting like the concert scene was still fresh and fun. The way it's supposed to be when you're young and eager to prove how great you are.

-Being this close to a Kiss show offered terrific spectacles. I don't remember seeing and enjoying the confetti display as much as tonight's show. During "Rock and Roll all Nite" the confetti was blazing away. My seats were stage right (facing the stage). Watching Gene on the far side of the stage in the midst of a swirling sea of confetti was eye dazzling. It had to be the angle, because Paul and Ace were closer to me (in the middle of the stage). But the confetti effect presented an almost mind numbing reaction. There's Gene wailing away on his axe bass guitar in a storm of confetti. Very cool.

Great concert. I told myself before the show not to waste money on concert shirts. Boy am I a sucker. I couldn't go home afterwards without one. In fact, I bought two! Thanks Gene, Paul, Ace and Peter. You've got to respect these guys for going out on top. Real class.

The crowd was lively and energetic.

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