Photo and story by Andrew YoussefKISS changed my life. My earliest memories of listening to music involve clutching my older brother's vinyl album of KISS Alive and wondering what it would have been to attend a KISS concert. My initial hopes were crushed when I was too young to go with my brother when he saw KISS and Bon Jovi in 1984.
Celebrating thirty-five years since its initial release, KISS are wrapping up their Alive 35 tour as they play a good portion of their classic live album along with the incorporation of a few tracks from their new album Sonic Boom. It didn't take long for the pyro to explode as KISS opened with "Deuce."
KISS practically perfected and most likely patented their live show. Watching KISS live is an experience like no other. I was surrounded by people of all ages who seemingly knew the words to every song. The songs are just as big and outlandish as the costumes they wear, but only a band like KISS can pull it off.
As a KISS purist, I was initially skeptical about the replacement
of Ace Frehley with Tommy Thayer. These concerns quickly subsided after watching an electrifying rendition of "Shock Me" with Tommy handling the vocals and guitar riff effortlessly. Long before Will Ferrell asked for more cowbell, "Calling Dr. Love" was answering the call with its heavy cowbell intro.
"Cold Gin" is another KISS classic song that had some levity when Gene Simmons used his trademark tongue to lick Tommy Thayer's neck while he was playing guitar.Tommy later had his moment to shine for a guitar solo as he fired "rockets" from the headstock of his guitar that caused one of the lights to fall from the stage.
The bloodletting of "I Love It
Loud" was unbeatable with Gene hoisted high above the stage singing and stomping along. Paul pointed out the obvious when he mentioned that if you came to the show expecting to end global warming or stop world hunger, you were in the wrong place. The solution according to Paul was to "Rock and Roll All Nite" and party every day. It was escapism at its best.
A four song encore kicked off with the twin guitar attack of "Shout It Out Loud". KISS even visited their unmasked days by playing the 1983 classic "Lick It Up". I honestly had no idea what the song meant back in the day but loved watching the video. "Love Gun" and "Detroit Rock City" closed out their set for a memorable, nostalgia filled night.
