From: Adam Walsh
KISS - The Farewell Tour
Sydney Superdome, Australia
Saturday, April 7th, 2001

What a show! I've seen concert reviews and specials on tv and dvd/video but nothing could prepare me for the real thing. I have been a huge fan of KISS for a number of years (I'm only 18) and have never been more excited in my entire life. Me and a few friends dressed up and in make-up as the four guys, me as Ace (naturally).

We arrived at around 6:00 and immediately spent up big at the merchandise stand, buying the much talked about Tour Book (it really IS massive) a couple of shirts and a signed Ace photo (now my most treasured posession). $250 bucks in all!

We went in and found our seats and within 3/4 hour the Screaming Jets were on. Many people have said that they were way beyond their time, but tonight they found a new fan. They rocked!

At exactly 8:45 the band we had all come to see were just minutes away. The huge black and silver KISS banner fell and the crowd went totally bazerko. 10 minutes later the arena went black, and within a few minutes an all too familiar voice sounded...

AWWWWWWWWWWWW-RIGHT SYDNEY!!! YOU WANTED THE BEST YOU GOT THE BEST! THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD!!!

And i could not believe it. With the sounds of Detroit Rock City blaring from the amplifiers my knees went weak and i could barely stand up. The larger than life figures which i had only ever dreamed about seeing were there, right before my eyes. DRC was followed by Deuce, Shout It Out Loud and then a surprise... Ace sang Talk To Me from the Unmasked album. Then, some personal favorites, I Love It Loud and Firehouse. The rest of the setlist is as previously mentioned. Paul did a Hard Luck Woman/Shandi medly solo with us (another two faves) and Ace did some of New York Groove.

the wildest the crowd got all night was definately during I Love it Loud and I Was Made For Loving You. The band were totally on fire tonight...

ACE FREHLEY: as always, Ace's solos gave the songs extra kick and life. He never fails to impress me and his own solo was the most amazing thing I have EVER witnessed. New York Groove and Cold Gin were his best songs.

ERIC SINGER: i've heard so much about him and he certainly lived up to expectations. He did the flaming drumsticks (very cool) and sang Black Diamond. Probably the best drummer I have ever heard (sorry Pete).

PAUL STANLEY: the ultimate showman. Kept the crowd worked up all night and made sure we were awake!!! Hard Luck Woman/Shandi medley was definitley the highlight of my night. Also singing Love Gun in the crowd was cool.

GENE SIMMONS: what can you say about him. He was... Gene! Just his name pretty much sums up this guy. When Paul wasn't revving the crowd up, it was Gene keeping them going, especially during Deuce.

I didn't have tickets to the Sunday show but was extremely tempted to go again. I'm gunna save my money though and go to their last show.

Thanx to all the guys who have made KISS the greatest band in the world EVER! Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, Gene Simmons, Eric Singer, Bruce Kulick, Eric Carr (RIP), Mark Norton and Vinnie Vincent. It's you guys who will be remembered as the "Fab Four" (?).

And remember, after you've ROCK AND ROLLed ALL NIGHT, have a COLD GIN and a SHANDI, pick up a HARD LUCK WOMAN, start MAKIN' LOVE and LICK IT UP for the next 100,000 YEARS in the FIREHOUSE that is PSYCHO CIRCUS.

KISS ASYLUM -- KISS Museum News Archive Features Tour Dates Photos