As Paul Stanley would say (in the song "Psycho Circus") "Welcome to the Show". A show it was and always has been from their very beginnings 50 years ago in New York City 1973. With over 100,000,000 albums and singles sold worldwide, Kiss became one of the most influential bands in rock history.
My concert KISS journey started back on November 21, 1979. My first concert ever at 13 years old. It changed EVERYTHING in my life with where I'm at 4 decades later as a concert photographer. My world of KISS in my teen years is another blog in it's whole self, but to prove my fandom here's some random shots. Me and my bro Halloween 1979, Me and Gene Simmons in Vancouver 1984 while filming the great sci-fi movie with Tom Selleck & (RIP) Kirstie Alley called "Runaway", and a shot of me in my KISS poster bedroom.
When thinking about as these decades, the coolest thing is I actually photo'd KISS in one way or another in the 80s/90s/2000s/2010s/2020s - that's 5 of KISS' 6 decades of rocking! The biggest honor was photographing the original 4 two times back in 1996/97. I've seen them in concert all those 6 decades. As I was walking in the pit to photo KISS one last time, I glanced up to my then $9.50 seat and thought to myself what would that 13 year old kid back in 1979 think if he knew nearly 44 years later he'd be down in the very front of the band with a camera and then a incredible seat afterwards from a band member. What a dream it has been. Seeing so many of my buddies in the crowd from the 1979 show and thinking of some not with us anymore especially my KISS brother Eric Starr. As soon as KISS kicked into "Detroit Rock City" I was ready to capture what I could with the first two songs allowed, the other being "Shout it out Loud".
Full setlist included: Detroit Rock City / Shout It Out Loud / Deuce / War Machine / Heaven's on Fire / I Love It Loud (Gene breathes fire) / Say Yeah / Cold Gin / Guitar Solo (Tommy Thayer) / Lick It Up (with "Won't Get Fooled Again") / Calling Dr. Love / Makin' Love / Psycho Circus (partial; with dueling guitars intro) / 100,000 Years / Bass Solo (Gene Simmons) / God of Thunder / Love Gun (Paul ziplines across arena to B-stage) / I Was Made for Lovin' You (Paul on B-stage) / Black Diamond (Paul zips back to main stage) / Encore: Beth (Eric Singer piano/vocals) / Do You Love Me / Rock and Roll All Nite (Gene/Tommy elevate over crowd).
Great setlist, but one complaint. I think if Paul cut down the talking (would help his voice too) they could've played a few other classics like "Strutter", "Creatures of the Night", "Unholy" etc. The one song in the setlist that bothered me was my least favorite KISS tune "Say Yeah", could've played two other songs for that like "Crazy Crazy Nights" or something else off the "Dynasty" album. I know 50 years a zillion songs, how do ya make everyone happy?
It's truly amazing after all these years that Gene (74yo) and Paul (71yo) can actually still perform and prance around effortlessly in those boots. Especially Gene with his outfit that weights like and extra 60lbs. Miracle they physically have lasted this long, but they know this is the time to end the road.
The Farewell Tour in 2000 at The Gorge we all thought that was it, but it was only for Ace and Peter. Still such old fan favorites to this day. As a fan from nearly the beginning I find it so sad something couldn't of been worked out to have the guys play a few tunes each night, but if you really look deep in that whole Ace/Peter debacle it's definitely for the better. Physically they would've broke on this multi-year tour. Gene and Paul held this band/brand together all these years and what you gonna have, two Space and Cat men onstage? Nope! This End of the Road tour is for this version of the band with Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer. Both reliable great guys that helped keep the KISS band alive for so many years after the originals. Lets not forget Eric Carr (RIP), Bruce Kulick and Vinnie Vincent too. All pivotal in the history of KISS survival.
The show was everything you could imagine a KISS show could be. Bigger and badder than any other band out there with the fire, bombs, confetti, lighting rig theatrics etc. Pure enjoyable visual-musical-war-zone I hope every rock fan out there got to enjoy at least once in their life even if you didn't like KISS. If I ever put a book out you can guarantee I'll have a chapter alone on KISS with my MANY stories over the decades with or photo'ing the band. To end my blog the big question is if this really is the end? I'm 100% betting for Paul and Gene the long touring days are done. They could play some Las Vegas residencies still, but for KISS if they continue to tour with Tommy and Eric they'll be a new Demon and Starchild if not everyone. Thank you KISS! What a life long ride it was! If ya wanna watch the presumably last KISS show ever it'll be on pay-per-view 5pm PT at PPV.com - "Iron" Mike
Show Photo Gallery KISW: https://www.audacy.com/kisw/latest-from-kisw/gallery/photo-gallery-kiss-climate-pledge-arena-seattle-11-6-23
Show Photo Gallery Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.745903524014535&type=3
Fan of the night goes to the little fan dressed so awesomely as The Fox Eric Carr! Oh and there was Gene Simmons impersonator/comedian Craig Gass in the crowd! Long live the KISS Army!
