28, 1978 at New Haven (Conn.) Coliseum w/The Rocketsĭec. That’s how I am going to try and remember the hottest band in the world, because the end of the road just doesn’t sound as good. The reunion tour, the 3-D show in LA, and the first farewell tour when Kiss was hitting on all cylinders. The ones by Paul didn’t hold up, including “Love Gun,” and “Psycho Circus.” I can only hope that Paul was feeling off – maybe a cold or flu – because he sounded much, much better in 20.Īnd, of course, I have my memories of that first concert back in 1978 or sitting in the third row in 1985. I assumed they would play those songs well. With a 200-plus song catalog, they were going to miss some of my favorites and I told myself I would accept whatever the band played. Yes, Kiss played more songs from “Sonic Boom” than it did from “Rock and Roll Over” on its final tour. “Say Yeah” was next and probably the biggest surprise (unless you looked at the previous night’s setlist like I did). Had I purchased an $11 beer, I’d have gagged at that point. But then again, when Paul asked how many people were seeing Kiss for the first time, most of the arena went bonkers and told them they were in for a treat. There were no real surprises as for new gimmicks. Tommy Thayer didn’t wow, but he did his thing but didn’t get to sing an Ace song like he’d done at previous shows I’ve attended. Eric Singer’s drum solo was pretty good (I’m not a drum solo or any solo fan – I’d rather hear another song or two). I’m glad I stayed as the sound improved, even though Paul did not. Did I really want my last time seeing my favorite band of all time to be this? I talked myself out of it, mainly because I flew from Boise to Seattle, navigated the bus system to Tacoma and hiked up and down a monster hill from my AirBNB to get to the show. I’m told the Tacoma Dome isn’t known for acoustics, but “Shout It Out Loud” and “Deuce” sounded like they were performed in a tin can. It also took at least three songs for the sound crew to dial in the sound. And on the third show of their final, final tour, Paul botched the opener, and then every other song he sang. What? How does this happen? According to setlist.fm., Kiss had performed Detroit Rock City 2,021 times prior to taking the stage that night. Instead of “I feel uptight on a Saturday night,” Paul chimes in a half a verse late and he only got out “radio’s the only light” and it was rushed and my jaw dropped in disbelief. The first song, my favorite song of all-time. ![]() ![]() And it was evident right away.ĭetroit Rock City. My dissatisfaction stems entirely from Paul Stanley not being able to sing like Paul Stanley. This isn’t about the setlist or the lack of two original members. I can’t say that about what I witnessed last weekend. Kiss is my favorite band, and the previous 10 times I’d seen them (list below), the band (whether it was Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss, Eric Carr, Eric Singer, Bruce Kulick or Tommy Thayer), delivered a very good or great show. My decision to attend Kiss’ “End of the Road” tour on February 2 in Tacoma, Washington, was a mistake.
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