From: John Hanna
I was in Pittsburgh on business. They told me I would be leaving on May 26. I said NO WAY! KISS was in Pittsburgh that day, there was no way I was leaving the same day KISS arrived. Needless to say I stayed until the 27th. It was well worth it!

Not knowing my way to the Star Lake Pavilion, I got lost trying to make my way through Pittsburgh...ended up downtown. The Pavilion is actually about 40 miles west of Pittsburgh. But I finally found my way.

From the moment I stepped on the property I was pumped. I was the first one to sit in the Pavilion. I had great seats in the front of Section 5...a stones throw away from the stage.

Skid Row was first to take the stage. I was quite skeptical about seeing Skid Row, without Sebastion Bach on vocals. But the "new guy" surprised me. Though he is no Sebastion Bach...he is far better of a replacement then one would have thought. His voice is deeper, but when you get into the Bach signature screams in "Youth Gone Wild" and "Monkey Business", this guy can pull it off. He is a good replacement. Though I miss "Bas", I was not at all disappointed in the Skids performance, I was rather impressed.

Next, Ted Nugent took the stage. I really did not care to see him, because of the things I read about his comments on stage. BUT. I am so happy I did see him. The people which reviewed his performances did not include his entire statements, which left everyone thinking the worst. Politics and Rock and Roll dont mix...but things Ted said about his beliefs in gun control, and his thoughts on Janet Reno, the President and her husband, and Jesse Jackson were purely comical. Though he may have meant them seriously, he came off comical, as he told them to KISS his ass. He constantly referred to KISS as "Old fat M-F's" but you could tell it was in comedy. I think people need to not take Ted so seriously...my opinion.

But the moment came. KISS pulverized Pittsburgh! It was an awesome show! Better than the reunion by far, and I thought the reunion show was awesome. Peter was in GREAT spirits, joking and smiling alot. Ace was normal space Ace. He lagged a little on "Let me Go Rock and Roll" and made an obvious screw up in "Black Diamond". (Though Peter started vocals late, may have been by design...waiting for Paul to return to main stage.) But nonetheless, Ace was the only one not to catch the change. But other than that he was great. Ace seemed to toy with Peter from time to time... It was an awesome show. The only technical glitch I noticed all night, was during Ace's solo in "Rock and Roll all Night", his spinning sparkler (Dont know what else to call it) failed, and you could tell he was confused by it at first. To me, I was surprised by them playing "2000 Man". Some other points...

Peter had some great fills in "I love it Loud". I thought he was gonna just have a straight beat, with little or no fills. He kept it clean, and very creative.

Paul's voice was awesome. I think that the Phantom really helped his voice. To me, Pauls voice is like a bottle of wine, gets better with age. He varied the tone on Psycho Circus, and was really creative with it.

Gene was normal Gene. He was great...acted like the Demon of old. When he was up on the rafters for God of Thunder, boy he made that thing sway when he stomped on it. HE IS AFRAID OF HEIGHTS? He scared me just by doing that!

Peter was great all night. Though he may be using triggers, it doesnt matter. The fact is that he was in great spirits, and he was playing his heart out. He didnt make any noticable errors.

I have said it before, and I will say it again. KISS put on an awesome show. I plan on seeing them again in Hershey, Scranton and East Rutherford later this tour. This is my last chance to say farewell to the best band that will ever grace this earth. After KISS, there is no other band. The stuff that is out now, and has been put out for the last few years...nothing but crap. This is the last time you will see a band that gives a crap about their fans (regardless of what others say).

KISS is a part of me. Though I never met them..and they always will be. THANK YOU KISS!

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