From: Ray Franco
Well, I Flew to Vancouver from Southern California and other than spending 2 1/2 hours in Customs because the "Jackass" was convinced that I had "pot",eventhough I don't even do drugs!, but since Im a Rocker with hair down past my butt,naturally Im a drug addict! FU**ING IDIOT!...But enough of that. The rest of my Vancouver experience totally "ROCKED"!!! I met so many "KISSFANS" from all over the world!, ronnie&Kevin From Seattle, the girls from the "ROXY" club,(Vancouver){HELLYA,Now thats Canadian,Hospitality},and I can't forget the guys from Holland,"Patrick" and "Evan"{they were"INTENSE"!},just to mention a few. I had a blast hanging out with all of you! About the CONCERT: First; I Have to say that I was VERY DISAPPOINTED that "KISS" with all they're Merchandising Savvy could'nt Produce a "SPECIAL" Millennium tourbook? or in this case a Program,Instead they were selling "PYSCHO CIRCUS" tourbooks from the last tour? whats up with that? How could "GENE" who has to have his stamp on everything, let this(which may seem small to them,in the grand scheme of things,but is "HUGE" to the FANS)slip by? "HUGE BLOW IT". How special is that,when fans from all over the world,lay out some good dough to be with "THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD", and you can buy everything they sold at the concert over the INTERNET?...NOT VERY!!! The next Bone of Contension(for me anyway)is they're opening act situation? Correct me if Im wrong,but were'nt they billing this as the "SHOW OF THE MILLENNIUM" with a "MAJOR OPENING ACT",.... the show "2000 YEARS IN THE MAKING" And then we get two canadian acts and(don't get me wrong,Im not knocking them,but they're not MAJOR)"LIT" ....more like "2000 MINUTES IN THE MAKING" I mean honestly they could'nt do any better than that? Needless to say I will skip the potato's and get right to the meat! THE SHOW: Started off Just after 11:15 pm with a video montage,or "KISSTORY" if you will? It spanned their career from start,to present(even the non-makeup years,and other members)VERY COOL INDEED!.... then the lights went out,the curtain came down and the "GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH" Began with "PYSCHO CIRCUS" without listing every song(The set was basiclly the same as the "REUNION TOUR" with a few exceptions)I'll comment on some of key moments:They did some songs from the "80's" "HEAVENS ON FIRE"&"LICK IT UP"and"I LOVE IT LOUD" That was "KISSTORY" to see "ACE"&"PETER" play those songs with "GENE&PAUL" ....MAGIC!!!...And they totally pulled it off!!! Especially "ACE"....A Once in a Lifetime Experience......However There were some Technical Difficulties(Microphones not switch,or too low during the first words on a few songs,and instrument levels on others),I spoke with one of the sound guys(working on the recording)and he told me that the things we heard would not be Problems,as far as the recording goes since the Instruments & voices are run direct to the board befor they go back out to the P.A...He also said not to worry (Its nothing that can't be fixed in post production,or be overdubbed) audience levels are recorded seprately,and metered back in. There seemed to be a little confusion on who,and or how they were going to handle the countdown?....Paul simply came out and anounced "1 minute to go" and that was it? But when your with the "HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD" On the last "NEW YEARS EVE" of the "MILLENNIUM" and "ACE"is Playing "2000 MAN" Life is Good!!!! ("ACE" dedicated it to "STANLEY KUBRIK")...Just AWSOME!!! They dropped so much confetti that Im still pulling it out of my hair!(just kidding) But seriously It was literally TONS, everyone on the floor were completly covered and the floor must have had a solid 2 inches on It!!!! They used a lot more Pyro's and fireworks(or maybe those were the fans)than I thought they would,considering it was a closed arena. All said and done It was a great concert(aside from a few problems) I can't wait to hear how It turned out(and how the video turns out,and wether they will release them together or seperately?)...most likely seperately(you know "Gene"!) If any POWERS THAT BE read this?...How About DVD?!?!?! That would be VERY COOL!!! Think About It? Well Thats MY Review Of The "NEW YEARS EVE MILLENNIUM" Show "I WAS THERE, ALIVE IV" 1999/2000 This marks the #30th time I've seen The Band I've seen "PAUL" "SOLO" #3 times I've seen "ACE" "SOLO" #4 times I've seen "PETER" "SOLO" #1 time I feel very lucky to have met everyone with the exception of "PETER CRISS" I'm workin' on It? Well, To all the KISS FANS See you Around

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