From: Eugene Mathena
First of all let me take the time to say the Roanoke show was nothing like one of the reviewers said it was. The fans were on their feet the whole time KISS was on stage and I don't even think he was there and why was he up in the third level anyway at a KISS concert? It was festival seating. I arrived around 5:20 pm, soon after the doors opened and I found a great place to sit till the show. Skid Row came on first and did a really good job with the new vocalist. The guys played all the cool classics from the 80's and I think the crowd was very reponsive and surprised with the new vocalist (at least I was). Ted (the Madman) Nugent was ausome, I really enjoyed his show, the man at 51 knows how to rock. He played "Free for all" "Dog eat dog" " "Cat Sratch fever" "Stranglehold" and a tune I really enjoyed called "Kiss my a**" and he dedicated it to all the liberals in office, great tune Ted I tip my hat to you. Well after the band dragged Ted from the stage and I mean literally dragged him because he went "MAD", the air was charged and the place was packed out. Well the lights went out and everyone stood to their feet in the Civic Arena. KISS were on stage opening with "Detroit rock city" then went straight into "Deuce". It was ausome. The boys were real excited and you could tell they really were enjoying themselves. Paul did really good on "Do you love me? They played some short film footage on the screen behind them while they sang and it really brought a lump to my throat knowing the boys were going away. "Psychocircus" sounded really different Paul added his own little vocal touch and gave the song a new meaning but it did get the lesser reponse from the crowd. Ace did a killer guitar solo after "2000 Man" with a combination from his KISS classics and I must say he got a great reponse from the fans (Proud of you Ace.) Peters solo was a little short but while he played it was ausome, the CAT still has nine lives and I really enjoyed seeing one of them, (Good job Pete) I love ya! One of my favorite highlights of the show was Pauls flying routine, you could tell he was having a blast and "Love gun" never sounded better. It was like so tight, just like on the Love gun tour. (Houston 9/1/77 video) it sounded just like it and Paul, I couldn't get over how he really just took it all in, he was so excited! The boys played classics and the newer without makeup classics and couldn't of sounded any better with any other drummer or Lead guitarist (These songs shouldv'e been played anyway on record with these two co-founders of the band and the songs would have if they would have still been in the band) The guys ended the show with "Black Diamond" after Paul teased the fans with a little of "I still love you", I believe that was his own little personal message to all who knew it! Peter came out then and sang "Bet" and did a fantastic job. All the guys came out then took their bow together to the crowd (A hot and standing crowd) and ripped into "Rock n roll all nite" after Paul announced his message "I you come to another show and they don't give you your moneys worth and treat you like they are doing you a favor by being up here, they don't deserve you repect or your money". Paul, I must say you are the heart and soul of KISS and we're going to miss you. Anyway "Rock n roll all nite" ended the show and it was a great way to go home with many years of fond memories of the band. Iv'e been a die hard fan and video collector of the guys since 1979 and no one can do it better. And yes I also noticed the error on the tour program and t-shirt, the 1979 "Dynasty" show was not listed on either one for "Roanoke" and that was a small dissapointment but I'm not complaining. THE SHOW WAS NOTHING BUT STANDING PEOPLE EVERYWHERE AND PURE EXCITEMENT! Thanks for 27 years guys! Eugene Mathena 05/09/00

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