From: Luis P
The closer it was getting to show night the stronger the realization that I was going to experience something like what all the superlatives describe - in short, the magic of make-up era KISS. (taking nothing away from the merits of other versions). Thanks for coming guys!

The setlist - I can't remember the exact order but they started with Detroit Rock City/Deuce/Shout it out Loud/I love it Loud and included Shock Me, Firehouse, Let me go RnR, Calling Dr.Love, Psycho Circus, Lick it Up, God of Thunder, Heaven's on Fire,Love gun, Hard Luck Woman, Shandi, 100 000yrs, Black Diamond, Cold Gin, Do you love me, and the encores were I was made for loving you and RnR all nite.

I was stoked to witness KISS rock out on Alive era stuff like 100 000yrs etc and the old stage theatrics like the Gene/Ace/Paul choreographed hypnotic guitar thing.The stage was basic; i had imagined there'd be more ramps etc, and I doubt that most of those 'amps' were anything more than lightweight, collapsible boxes for easy freighting, but they were redeemed with an awesome show. The main thing was that they were in character -larger than life- and so they could play God of Thunder, Shock Me,and the rest of the old stuff to full theatrical effect.It really transported me to times and places I experienced while I discovered some of those old records over the years.

Even though the songs were in the audience's subconscious and people were going off singing their asses off (including many many young hot babes shown on the screens),Paul especially performed the songs with real attention and energy as if they'd just been written- his singing was even better than in '95, great -but no 'I Still love you' tonight. He was going to play it, as he apparently had the night before, but changed his mind - considering his recent divorce, it made sense. However he did Hard Luck Woman and Shandi alone on guitar giving the band a break.In my opinion he gave the best performance of the night, he gave everything he had - a lot.He seemed to be as fresh at the end as he was at the beginning. Ace had some good moments but I think he performed pretty averagely; he didn't really exude as much energy as the rest. His playing is more lyrical than about technical brilliance so when he soloedI just did my best to dig the general feeling. he wasn't great but hey, I was still thrilled to see him play, especially Shock Me and Talk to me.

I would have liked to have seen Gene breathe more fire - he only did it once and it looked sort of 'here's the obligatory fire-breathing, now on with the show'- maybe in the midst of Eric's excellent drum solo. The blood-vomiting in the green spotlight with the climactic bass build-up was killer, so was Gene's comical to watch folded-armed frowning surveying of the crowd sort of implying, 'so, this is what you're like, eh? I'm not impressed, yet', as the crowd went wilder and wilder. You had to be there.The irony of him standing there looking mean and yet absurd in those platformed and feathered boots and the rest of the gear was brought out to its extreme for everyone to enjoy. Little kids were laughing their heads off. It was moments like these that make KISS , and made the show, so meorable like no other band could ever be.

Despite the release of Psycho Circus etc, it was classic KISS. 2001-stylized versions of their costumes (including an all-new costume for Eric) and some new original theatrical touches would have made cool kisstory, but I guess I'm dreaming; the show was more about saying goodbye and about what had been, rather than any further evolution of KISS. I was glad Eric played otherwise I might have missed KISS in make up, and besides, he was exceptional.I have to say that I didn't really miss Peter. Eric handled the gig like a real pro, and did well to go along with the spirit of the stuff. His solo showed everyone what he could do- awesome.Look, if this was KISS playing in 1976 or whatever, on their rise to the top of their fame, yes I'd hate to see a stand-in drummer in Peter's make-up, but given a rare chance to see the make-up era show for the last time, or at all, whatever the version of KISS for the last time for that matter, who wouldn't be greatful? and who really is to bla! me but Peter for his absence anyway? Any sympathy tonight at all from me goes to Bruce Kulick. His new solo album is amazing by the way. But a most memorable night.

Thanks for the memories all sometime members of KISS. A world without heroes is no place for me.

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