By Anthony ChildressNORTH LITTLE ROCK - The moment was chock full of emotion.
As the huge black flag with the name KISS stitched on it came crashing down to the front area of the gargantuan stage at Verizon Arena, I glanced over at my son Alec and realized this was a snapshot in time I had dreamed about for literally years and years, even predating his arrival in my life some 18 years ago.
The infamous words that have introduced the legendary rockers to their fans since the early 1970s came through loud and clear - "All right, Little Rock! You Wanted the Best! You Got the Best! The Hottest Band in the World - KISS!"
And that was it.
Starting from the first chords of the group's classis tune "Deuce" through a 2-hour-plus set list that meandered through KISS' discology and included well-known anthems like "Rock and Roll All Nite" and "Shout It Out Loud," the night of Oct. 29 was truly magical and brought two things I cherish together under one roof: time with my son and a concert by the band whose influence has been a major part of my life since 1976.
The flashy new costumes and over-the-top stage show were enough to bring plenty of smiles to Alec's face (and mine, of course), along with the seemingly endless supply of pyrotechnics and beams of stage lights flashing all over the place.
Oh, the also loved the staple features of a KISS concert, ranging from lead singer-rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley's jumping about and searing vocals on all those classic songs to bass guitarist-singer Gene Simmons' breathing fire and spitting (fake) blood all over the stage before flying up to a platform to belt out "I Love It Loud," which took this writer back to his days as a clumsy, bumbling type at Nettleton High School.
My son marveled at drummer Eric Singer's abilities in mastering his massive drum kit that wound up levitating over the stage and spinning in a circle while he played an ambitious solo, as well as lead guitarist Tommy Thayer's own solo that included firing mini-shots into the air, creating yet another visual spectacle for the adoring crowd.
What impressed him most, though, was the music. Spanning nearly 40 years, KISS played 18 songs that night and could have easily added triple the total and still left the faithful wanting and demanding more. Much like his old man, Alec has an appreciation for the simplicity and yet undeniable appeal of the band's straightforward, hard rock tunes.
I call these songs the soundtrack of my life, a sentiment millions of others in their 40s and in other age brackets can certainly agree with. From the first time I saw KISS in the late 1990s when they went on a reunion tour with original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, I have clung to the belief that events like concerts bring one closer to their youth and rekindle that sense of abandon and optimism that life tends to temper somewhat over the years.
Other people who made the trek from Jonesboro and other corners of Northeast Arkansas bring a similar, if not exact, experience with them. We are the KISS Army, the group's fan base, and we stand very strong in legions that stretch across the planet and count decades of fighting on the musical battlefield for our war paint-wearing heroes.
Patriots rock on
A quick glance around the arena at the concert revealed something about KISS and its ability to continually draw loyal fans from years gone by to new ones, many donning that famous face paint that largely defined the band's image in its early years and sustains a presence even today. It was not unusual to see entire families on hand, with parents and kids alike wearing full KISS costumes in honor of their favorite member.
Linda Watson and brother Mark Lawson drove to the show from Jonesboro, toting their children along. It was a family affair, and Watson said she was thrilled to take in the show with her three sons.
"Seeing KISS live again was wonderful," Watson said. "I've been promising my three boys a KISS show for a very long time, and it was great to be able to finally keep that promise. We�re already looking forward to the next time."
Jonesboro police officer Kevin Foust and son Jordan rocked on for the sixth time together, snapping pictures and reveling in the charged atmosphere that defines these gatherings of the musical troops, so to speak.
"I'm not sure why you buy a seat for a KISS concert because you never sit down!" Kevin Foust posted on his Facebook profile page, rounding out the feelings of the 11,000 or so other fans who stood and sang (yes, and some of us played a blistering session of air guitar!).
University Heights Elementary School Principal Dale Case went with his daughters and plans to go again, hopefully, if and when the band makes a stop in Memphis on the next leg of the tour.
What it means
After Alec and I found our seats (we didn't sit any once KISS cranked up), it occurred to me just how much of an event, a rite of passage it was. I saw countless fathers around my age strolling along with their sons, both wearing concert shirts and smiling. When I was a boy, I used to fantasize about this very experience and undoubtedly many other folks did, too.
To join the KISS Army fan club officially, you have to fork out a few bucks, and it's well worth the expense because of the access you gain to ticket pre-sales, merchandise discounts, and other things.
To be a soldier in this army, however, all you must do is pop a KISS compact disc in, listen to a song or two and commit yourself to years of rock and roll service... as of about a week ago, my son enlisted and is now ready for his tour of duty, which, incidentally, could be a stop across the Mississippi River for the next concert.
