From: Scott Smith
Before my review, let me state that this was...are you ready for this?... My First Kiss show! Nothing like waiting till the "last minute" to get in a show huh? But what an experience it was!!

A brief synopsis of the openers:

Skid Row: 20 minute set 5 songs maybe?? Skid got the place warmed up a bit as they powdered through their short set. Even though I only knew 2 of the songs, they rocked.

Ted Nugent: 30 minute or so set Including Wang Dang Sweet Poontang, Cat Scratch Fever, Kiss My Ass, Stranglehold and the encore of Great White Buffalo, to name a few of his bigger hits. Tommy Aldridge was WAILING on the drums and seemed to never miss a beat. Like past reviews, Ted was his "Politically Incorrect" self with a few snide comments...nuff said. Ted brought out good old Florida boy guitarist Pat Travers and they seemed to have a great time on stage firing licks back and forth during Cat Scratch Fever. It was even Pat's birthday, this night, so a belated Happy Birthday Mr. Travers. Ted ended the show coming out in a Rebel flag jacket / shirt wearing a full Indian head dress for the encore song "Great White Buffalo" and did his flaming arrow to the guitar stunt.

Now for what you have been waiting for........

Tampa Bay wanted it, and we got it! The hottest band in the land.... KISS

The "Creatures of The Night" hit the stage a few minutes late due to a slight technical glitch. The curtain covering the stage setup got hung up as their crew was lowering it so as to hide the stage that was soon going to get "Hotter Than Hell" tonight. As the arena went dark, the Ice Palace transformed into a "Psycho Circus" as the familiar sounds of Detroit Rock City emitted from the massive amps throughout the arena. The curtain fell, as KISS, who were "Dressed to Kill" were lowered down from the lighting rig!

Our faithful "Destroyer"s of Rock n Roll were on their way to what is said to be their last appearance in our area. The night was magical as many felt we were witnessing the end of an era. Many felt transformed into what was a different plane of the universe... We were now privileged to be members of the KISS "Dynasty", which is like no other! The rabid fans were shouting and screaming in such an "Animalize"d state that the adrenaline seemed to erupt from the those in attendance, much like the fire and blood flowed from Gene Simmons.

The rigging was working for this show so Gene and Paul got to finally fly, with only one minor flaw. As Gene was being elevated up to the lighting rig for "God of Thunder", they took him up just a bit higher and he had to signal a few times to lower him back down so he could actually stand on his own and belt out the tune like only Gene can do.

It was truly the next millennium as Ace belted out 2000 Man and gave us an amazing guitar solo to remember! Ace commented that "It was a bit fast, so how about some 2001 a Space Odyssey?" You though Hendrix did the National Anthem good...you gotta hear how Ace performs this number...in a single word... OUTSTANDING!!!

Paul was the true showman and made love to the microphone and the audience to the point that most of the females in the crowd were dying to "Lick It Up". As Paul worked the audience, we all began to "Rock and Roll Over" and over and over. There was not a dead moment in the entire show and the guys seemed to be having the time of their lives.

Peter seemed to be rather slow and almost "ho hum" at the beginning of the show, as every time the camera was on him he seemed to have a rather bored look on his face. BUT as the show progressed Peter was getting more and more into it. He picked up the pace and actually started smiling when the camera would pan over to him.

There were two key elements to this show... LOUD and PYRO PYRO PYRO!!! It seemed that there was some type of fire, flashpot or explosion during every song throughout the evening, and we can't forget the KISS logo lights that would blind you even from the seats I had towards the rear of the arena. As mentioned before, Kiss was having a good time and wanted to make sure the crowd did too!

There was only one point in which I think Ace wasn't having a good time. Gene decided during one of Ace's blaring solos to prance across the stage and give him a little "tongue", well with Gene I guess it's a LOT of tongue! Gene was flicking it in his traditional style and just as a camera came in for a close up of him and Ace, Gene gave Ace a little flick across the face. Ace didn't appear very happy with that stunt, but what the hell right?

As the show was winding down Paul was still working the crowd, Peter bashing the skins, Ace letting loose with a few guitar rockets and Gene prancing around the stage like an animal stalking it's prey!

These guys just don't stop or slow down for a second!!

The tone did slow down a bit as Peter gave us one of the most memorable performances of Beth, that a couple next to me was brought nearly to tears. It was a magical moment for everyone involved as he vocalized this song like I had never heard before.

But as they say, all good things must come to an end, with the band ending the show with an extended rendition of "Rock & Roll All Night", a true KISS Anthem indeed! No one was in his or her seats as they worked the crowd for one last time having everyone sing along and the crowd sounded almost as good as the band!

We were hyped and wanting MORE!!!

As the massive amounts of confetti poured from the stage, the entire arena looked like Times Square on New Years Eve. I have no idea how much they poured on us, but it just kept coming and coming and coming. This is one show I sure wouldn't want to have to clean up after!

If you are any kind of KISS fan, do yourself a favor and DO NOT Miss this show! Not only is it possible you will never see them all together again, but it an experience you will never forget, KISS will see to it!

Many thanks go to many people, but to name a few:

Road trip partner Matt: Thanks for the drive and great food at the little "hole in the wall" deli we found. Paco made us some great grub didn't he?

Ice Palace Security Staff: For not hassling everybody and their brother...we were there to have a hell of a time and you allowed it ( to certain extremes )

KISS: For the never-ending memory of this outrageous show! You are truly the "Hottest Band in the Land!!!!"

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