Letters

Absolutely incredible gig. I've been down the front for KISS gigs before, but I've never been quite as close as I was last night. It was like seeing Godzilla close up - it somehow makes it more real than it ever has been before, yet it's simultaneously humbling as you can appreciate the sheer enormity of the beast you are beholding. Here were KISS - playing for the pleasure of a few hundred fans in one of the smallest venues I've ever been in. Yes, they could have played some new songs (Yes I Know & Stand would work for me), and yes, it would have been great if they'd dropped in some rarely played songs - but Paul assured us that when they'd be back in a couple of months, they would be playing those kind of songs. But you know what, when I was down the front rocking out to some of the finest rock & roll I've ever known, I didn't give a single thought to that. Every song that they played was a gem due to the setting. Obviously they'd be hampered anyway with the small venue, but the show featured no theatrics and no explosions other than the confetti cannons during Rock & Roll All Nite - but the gig was almost like an f-you to those critics who say that KISS are all sizzle and no steak. They didn't need flying, blood, fire, flashpods, smoking guitars... they just played their songs for their adoring fans, and absolutely comprehensively kicked my ass. My abiding memory will be the Rock & Roll All Nite confetti storm. I was only a few feet from the cannon, which didn't stop for the entire song. KISS were lost in a sea of white. It was all over me. Hanging off my eyebrows and lips. This song is always special, but in this case, during the second half, I just threw my arms up in the air and drank in as much of the atmosphere that I could. This was truly something I'll remember until the day I die... and for that, I truly thank KISS. I was close enough to see Gene mouth "one more" to Paul for the encores. He seemed to be as shattered as I was at that time. Not only was it was *very* hot in the venue, but after reading that the band had breathing problems with all the CO2 in the air after the confetti cannons, it more than makes sense. I was fine with that, honestly. Rock & Roll All Nite killed me, and Detroit Rock City was just a euphoric final salvo. Any more and it would have been a battle between me and Gene to see who dropped first. Paul promised to "pummel" us. Good God was I ever pummelled. I'm so pleased that I was lucky enough to get a ticket. This was the best live music experience I've ever had, or will ever have. Thank you Gene, Paul, Tommy & Eric. Forever a fan, Stew