From: ATIJRoman@aol.com

There seems to be a rumor on the internet that KISS bombed horribly on Halloween night at Dodger Stadium. I'm here to tell you that it ain't so.

Being in the 10th row, I got the full force of KISS. They were not only awesome, but awe-inspiring. USA TODAY was right to point out that the show belonged to Paul Stanley. He commanded the audience. And he told them off (rightly so) when he wasn't happy with a lukewarm response in getting the audience to sing "Black Diamond". It was classic Stanley who said, "Aw c'mon people! Don't tell me you want to sing and then don't sing! If you talk the talk you gotta walk the walk!" The crowd responded in song to "Rock and Roll All Nite" much to Paul's delight.

I think some KISS fans get too critical of the band and expect everything to be flawless. The problem is that KISS' show is too big to be flawless. Plus it was opening night. Next time those wrinkles will be ironed out. The opening song, "Psycho Circus" either had some audio problems or Paul or Ace was playing in the wrong key during the solo. Ace's guitar didn't smoke and that did reflect slightly in his solo as he was battling the rigging more than concentrating on the music (Ace, however, saved it, got the guitar to smoke, and then quipped to the crowd, "I just got this guitar. I guess it's too young to smoke!" The audience loved it!). Ironically, Gene Simmons didn't really get much of the spotlight until the last 30 minutes of the show (to which the spotlight didn't work in his solo for "100,000 Years". In the dark, Gene stops playing, comes back to the mike and says, "How about a f *%cking spotlight!" Ah...the demon lives!)

I have to make a special point that Peter Criss was also the star that night. I have seen Peter play since 1975 and not since then have I seen him play with more energy. I thought he rather walked through it on the Reunion Tour. On Halloween Night, Peter was alive! I have never seen him hit the drums harder during his drum solo or seen him look as good! The last time Peter looked that good was during the "Rock and Roll Over Days". If anyone doubts Peter's playing ability or that he was not up to par to play on the "Psycho Circus" album, watch the man in concert. He never missed a beat and almost shattered my eardrums.

For the first show, it was spectacular.. problems and all. They are the masters of what they do and I hope they continue past this tour.

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