From: Barry
There is something great about seeing your favorite band in your hometown. While I wasn't born in Richmond, I have lived here since 1987, so this is home now. There is also something great about sharing an important personal event with a dear friend. Tonite Jenne embarked with me to see her very first arena rock show. I think it is fitting that her first be the best. That of course being KISS! Jenne was the one who, while visiting Russia in 1997, brought back a set of KISS Nesting Dolls. This is a collectible that I have not seen anywhere else. I thought that was the coolest KISS-related thing she could possibly do. Tonite she topped herself by attending a show with me and witnessing first hand why I love this band so much.

The two of us arrived at the Coliseum around 7:45pm. We had no desire to see either of the openers. I found the Souvenir stand and bought the "I WAS THERE" shirt. Unlike the Roanoke shirt, this one had all the dates of past KISShows in Richmond right! ;)

Ted was just starting his set as we left the souvenir area, so we hung out on the concourse. I ran into probably a dozen people who I knew, some from high school, some from local clubs. They pretty much all said the same thing to me: "Man, I thought you'd be here!! You're the biggest KISS fan I know!!" Some names I remembered, some were long forgotten, but it was nice to be recognized as a long-standing member of the KISS ARMY. (Requirement for "long term member status": You must own "Music From The Elder" and have purchased it the year it was released.)

As soon as Ted Nugent finished, we waited for the throng of people to exit onto the concourse. Once the initial rush passed, we headed inside to find our seats. Just before we left the concourse area, I ran into Eddie, another friend from high school. We still keep in touch. I'm proud of myself that I kept a secret. Eddie's first ever record he bought as a child was "Dynasty", and "2000 Man" is still his favorite KISSong. I did not let on that "2000 Man" was in the setlist, though I almost let it slip as we were leaving and heading for our seats. I am glad I decided against telling him. I can only imagine how he felt hearing that song live for the first (and last) time.

Once we entered the arena, it was soon determined that we had to go to the very back and walk all the way down to the floor! I will say that a very nice guy named Mike helped me down the stairs that did not have railings by grabbing and holding my arm for support. "I don't wanna make you late to your seat man." I said. "It's okay. I am right off the floor on the side, so I'll be close to where I am sitting." As we were walking down the stairs, me and Mike with Jenne close behind (I kept checking to make sure she was still with me), The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" began.

By this point, I had only one objective: Get to my seat before the scream in the song.

Once I reached the floor, I thanked Mike and handed my ticket to the usher. (I really didn't think she was an usher, she looked too cute!). She told us to go all the way to the front row and take a right, then we would look for our row (Section 9F, ROW R, Seats 1 and 2). So we walked to the front row.

Here, as we are heading to our section (the center floor section), in the front row a man jumps up and yells "BARRY!!! Damn I knew you'd be here!! This is so cool!!" He then gives me a bear hug. It wasn't until the hug that I remembered who this man was. His name was Wayne Blankenship (for those of you on this list whom I went to HS with). My main memory of Wayne is a fond one. As a lonely new freshman at a new school in a new city in 1987, I was sitting alone at a lunch table. Wayne, a junior, saw me and saw my KISShirt. He sat and introduced himself to me by saying "Hi, I'm Wayne and I like KISS too." It was a very "full circle" emotion seeing Wayne tonite, and I am not jealous of the fact that he and his wife had front row center seats. He camped out six hours for them, so he richly deserved them. We talked for about a minute and then found our seats.

Or should I say we found someone sitting in our seats! "Your in Section 9F, Row R, Seat One. What section does your ticket say man?", I asked as The Who began to get louder. "Seat One man...aw shit 10F! Where is that??" Me, being at my most diplomatic, I said "Just go over to Gene's side of the stage, same row." What I wanted to say was "Get the fuck outta my seat!!" but I knew that would not help anything. Once the group of "intruders" realized they were indeed in the wrong seats, they apologized and left.

I sat down in time to stand up for the scream in the song.

Okay...Now onto the show (which is why your reading this anyway, right?)

I still get chills and an indescribable rush of adrenaline when I hear the intro "You Wanted The Best..." live. Tonite was no exception. Then the boys ripped into "Detroit Rock City." In Roanoke last month, Paul screwed up and didn't sing the last verse (about the wreck). No mistakes this time. I looked over at Jenne and she was up on her feet, screaming with the rest of us. She fit in very well. At this point I knew she was going to have fun.

For Roanoke, a show I attended with my Mom, I was up off the floor. This was my first show where I had floor seats since the last Richmond show in April of 1997. On the floor is really the best way to experience a KISShow. You not only see it, you smell the smoke and fire and you feel the heat of the lights. Everything's better on the floor.

I won't do a song by song description of the show, as so many of you have seen the show already. And those friends of mine on this list who are not KISS fans wouldn't want to read that anyway. Some highlights for me though, were:

* Usually "Cold Gin" and "100,000 Years" are not my favorite part of the show. I prefer the stuff from 76-77 as opposed to 74-75. Tonite though, they kicked. "Let Me Go, Rock And Roll" sounded great and the flames still had enough propane in the tanks to make "100,000 Years" memorable.

* Paul was amazing. Best vocals I think I have ever heard. He was very animated, playing to the crowd. Several bras ended up onstage, so Paul was having fun decorating his mike stand!

* For "Do You Love Me" I watched the screen the entire time to see all of the classic footage of the band. Great great montage of KISStuff.

* The sound mix was much better and cleaner than Roanoke. Only time it got a bit harsh was during Ace's solo. I don't know if they actually push a "SOLO" button on the mixer, thereby turning his guitar way up, but right after "2000 Man" ended and his solo began, he seemingly went from 7 to 15 on the volume dial. Thankfully this was the only time his guitar was like this.

* Now that she has seen a KISShow, Jenne's favorite member is Ace. She really liked Paul's vocals and mannerisms. She didn't like Gene though, which I kind of expected. She liked the fire but not the blood, and she told me that it was "much better than she was expecting, which made me smile.

* All the effects and flying rigs worked great. Paul stayed out to sing "I Still Love You" and the intro to "Black Diamond." I am guessing this is now planned as part of the show. The best picture of the nite on the video screen was when Paul asked for the lighters to come out during "I Still Love You." I turned around from Paul's platform (about ten rows behind our seats) and saw on the screen this beautiful live image of Paul, surrounded by all these lit lighters. Add to that the fact that the whole thing was lit in purple, and it was an awesome site!

Being on the floor for the storm of confetti at the end is truly overwhelming. I literally could not see the stage when the confetti started. Came back with almost bucketfuls of confetti, stuffed into my backpack.

This whole nite was unforgettable. I am thrilled I shared it with someone who had a great time at her first KISShow. I am touched that she saw just why KISS fans are KISS fans and a KISShow is like no other event anywhere.

To The Fans, and To The Band, I say "THANK YOU!!"

KISS fans are a rare special breed. Thank God I'm one of them!

Barry (who's next KISShow is July First!)

Told ya it was a long one!! Thanks for reading the whole thing! ;)

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