KISS says farewell to Iowans on End of the Road World Tour
By
A night to remember! Disco balls hanging from the ceiling, fans in face art and over 9,000 people packed into Wells Fargo Arena to rock and roll all night with the iconic rock band KISS.
The group made its first stop in Des Moines since a 2016 concert at the Iowa State Fair to give the KISS Army a final farewell. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this is the end of the road for KISS, well, as far as touring goes.
Crazy Crazy Night
KISS burst on stage with a fiery entrance. Flames sparked and fluorescent lights flickered as the group came onto the scene with tongue-licking action, playing the band's 1976 hit "Detroit Rock City." The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers then played the song that symbolized what fans came to do that night, "Shout it Out Loud."
This was not KISS's first rodeo in Des Moines. The 100 million record selling group has been visiting Des Moines since the '70s. In their fifth decade as a band, members of KISS didn't miss a beat as they performed a medley of other hits such as "Say Yeah!" and "I Love it Loud."
Shouting, "Hey! Yeah, Yeah," KISS shined like the real rock stars they are. Everybody in the arena stood.
KISS then heated the arena with 1984's "Heaven's On Fire." There wasn't a KISS era untouched during the farewell show. A chest-beating Simmons then led the band into "War Machine."
The production of the show was impeccable as smoke left the stage floor invisible, and Simmons carried a fiery torch on stage that transitioned the band into the 1983 hit "Lick it Up."
Drummer Eric Singer had fans cheering when he performed his drum solo during a brief set break. Fans took out their phones to record the moment.
With fake blood pouring from his mouth while a green light flashed over him, Simmons then spat into a white cloth and threw it in the crowd for a lucky fan to catch.
The lead vocalist then lifted into the air on a stage riser performing "God of Thunder."
A spin of lights swirled, and the lyrics of "Beth" flowed through the venue as fans held up flashlights on their phones while Singer played the piano. "Crazy Nights" followed "Beth" and balloons with the KISS logo appeared from the ceiling. KISS finished the night, of course, with "Rock and Roll All Nite."
The crowd went crazy as red and white confetti poured onto them. You could hear "rock and roll all night" being chanted through out the arena.
Stanley made the final farewell for KISS shouting to the fans, "We love you! Good night!"
