Kiss News

08/15/2016

KISS gets patriotic, loud, fiery and �Psycho Circus� theatrical in Grand Rapids tour stop

by / Localspins.com

CLICK HERE to view the PHOTO GALLERY: KISS at Van Andel Arena

Photos by Andris Visockis

They�ve been doing it for more than 40 years, so the makeup-clad guys in platform heels didn�t unleash anything surprising at Van Andel Arena � just good old-fashioned, goofy, glammy, shock-rocking, pyrotechnic- and flame-enhanced fun.

From the moment their makeup-clad heroes took the stage Saturday night at Grand Rapids� Van Andel Arena, members of the diehard KISS Army got pretty much everything they craved from this fabled, hard-rocking bunch in platform boots.

Lights flashed, fire raged all across the stage, and the four iconic members of KISS descended from raised platforms down onto the stage to greet the crowd. The group dove straight into their beloved hit, �Detroit Rock City,� and rabid fans were up on their feet, screaming.

Most stayed that way all night.

Playing familiar titles from albums new and old all across their career, the legendary rock �n� roll group � bass player Gene Simmons, guitarists Paul Stanley and Tommy Thayer, and drummer Eric Singer � uncorked an over-the-top night full of trademark theatrics to wow the crowd, backing it up with blazing guitar solos, thundering work from the drum kit, and the confidence of seasoned entertainers.

Along the way, a couple of band members took to the air in a crowd-pleasing set of stunts. Simmons was hoisted up in mid-air to a platform at the top of the arena above the stage and rocked on from there. Later, Stanley jumped onto a thin metal support, and by wires above, was carried back above the crowd to a spinning platform over the sound table in the middle of the arena, where he continued to lead his song.

KISS � making its fifth appearance at Van Andel Arena � also took time to acknowledge members of the U.S. military on Saturday.

During the encore, which began with a rendition of �Beth,� the group welcomed onstage Grand Rapids City Commissioner Jon O�Connor, as well as local veterans and a local military color guard. Members of KISS presented representatives from Hiring Our Heroes � a national program dedicated to helping military families find employment � with a check for $150,000, and O�Connor returned the favor by presenting the band with a key to the city of Grand Rapids.

Near the end of the encore, in keeping with the patriotic theme, the band even churned out a Jimi Hendrix-esque instrumental of The Star-Spangled Banner and closed things out with the fan favorite, �Rock and Roll All Nite,� as confetti rained down on the raucous crowd of thousands.

That crowd seemed to love every minute of the nearly two-hour show, from young to old. Even families of the KISS Army got into the fun, with both parents and children cheering the band donned in matching black wigs and painted faces.

So while opener The Dead Daisies uncorked a solid rock set, it�s impossible to not be overshadowed by the spectacle that is KISS.

08/15/2016

KISS delivers with inspirational Freedom to Rock tour

By Damian Rico / www.nwitimes.com

There aren't many rock bands that have the moxie to prompt their show touting, "You wanted the best, you got the best...The hottest band in the world-KISS."

That�s just what these Rock N' Roll powerhouses give their fans with every performance. Explosions, fire, blood and the decibels that have astounded generations for more than four decades is just another day at the office for KISS.

On Saturday, Aug. 13, the ringleaders of the "Psycho Circus" brought their "Freedom To Rock" tour to Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan celebrating their music and honoring the men and women serving the great United States of America along the way.

"We first played here in 1974," reminded vocalist and guitarist Paul Stanley. "Our show doesn't have any dancers, lip syncing or musicians offstage. You deserve better and we are a Rock N' Roll band that believes in giving you that."

And that's exactly what KISS did as they played deeper cuts and favorites like "Shout it Out Loud," "Detroit Rock City," "I Love It Loud," "Do You Love Me," "Cold Gin," "Beth," "Lick It Up" and "Black Diamond," just to name a few.

KISS' catalogue of hit after enormous hit has made them perennial fan favorites that critics never really embraced. Stanley even reminded fans "the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame doesn't like us very much," but KISS has never sought the industry's approval because "it's all about our fans."

For years, critics and music professionals have tried to disregard their accomplishments and have pointed to their visual artistry and gimmicks and have even chastised Simmons for his public views, rants and perhaps insensitive overtones.

But like the band, what you see is what you get. After all, it's Rock N' Roll.

The four kids from the streets of New York that exploded on stage back in the early 70's changed an entire culture. And today�s band, which features original founders Gene "The Demon" Simmons, Paul "Star Child" Stanley, as well as newcomers Tommy "Spaceman" Thayer and Eric "Cat Man" Singer may have even surpassed what once was, because KISS is still undoubtedly as electric as they ever were.

Quite frankly, the show is still as captivating. If not more so.

KISS continues to stay timeless and no matter how hard bands try, they will never deliver a live show experience like the innovators that have sold over 100 million albums worldwide and have shattered record breaking global tours, making them arguably one of the world's most influential bands of all time.

And no other band may ever be capable of pioneering a hit that serves as an anthem at every sporting event like KISS' encore that encapsulates the band�s proverbial fixture and rallying cry �Rock and Roll All Nite.�

08/14/2016

KISS lights up Grand Rapids: 'We are a rock and roll band'

By John Agar / www.mlive.com

After a 13-year absence, KISS lit up the stage at Van Andel Arena on Saturday, Aug. 13, with pyrotechnics, lasers and a fire-breathing Gene Simmons, along with a catalog of hits that dated back to the 1970s.

The concert drew old-timers in KISS gear, costumed kids and others, most of whom stayed standing during the one-hour, 40-minute show.

KISS, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014, played crowd favorites, including "Detroit Rock City," "Shout it out Loud," "God of Thunder," with Simmons' trademark blood-letting before he was raised to the ceiling by cables, "Cold Gin," "Love Gun," and "Rock and Roll All Night."

Lead singer Paul Stanley said there would be no lip-syncing or hidden singers at a KISS concert.

"We are a rock and roll band," he said, to cheers.

KISS last played Grand Rapids in 2003. Their first concert here was in 1974.

On Saturday, they brought fireworks, flames, spark-spewing guitars, lasers and rising stages - with confetti covering the crowd at close.

The concert was part of the band's "Freedom to Rock" tour, honoring the military. Area veterans came up on stage before Stanley led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

KISS presented a $150,000 check to "Hiring our Heroes," a program to help military families find work.

Jon O'Connor, a Grand Rapids city commissioner, gave KISS a ceremonial key to the city.

Lead guitarist Tommy Thayer then played the National Anthem on electric guitar.

The band Dead Daisies opened for KISS.

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