From: John Driscoll
I missed Skid Row because I was having a couple of beers with some friends in Reggie's Pub in the CNN center. I got to my seats a couple of minutes into Nugent's set -- my seats were in the Heinekin skybox which was pretty cool (free beer, food and a private crapper). Nugent rocked -- his band is amazingly tight and can crank it out for just a trio. I was expecting to be turned off by all his ranting but it really seemed to fire up the crowd so I felt it was a positive thing. The highlight for me was Stranglehold where Nuge was joined by DSH -- it rocked.

As for Kiss, what can I say -- another ass kicking show -- my ninth since '77. The new stage was unreal, the lights, pyro, video was fantastic -- much better than the reunion show. I dug hearing the newer material too. I never saw the guys perform any of that stuff live since I saw them in the Love Gun era and then again during the reunion. I Love it Loud was cool, so was Lick it Up. 2000 Man was cool too, but to me it seemed awkward when Ace went into his solo. At that point I had quite a few beers in me and the whole solo sequence seemed different than I remember from other shows. I'm interested to read other reviews to see if anyone agrees or perhaps I was too drunk. Overall, it didn't seem to have as much meat to it -- it was a little bit of noodling , the smoke, the rockets and it was over. It seemed rushed to me.

Well, it was a great night and I look forward to seeing them in MSG later this year. I saw my first show there (my first concert ever)so it makes sense to bid farewell to the guys 23 years later in the same arena.

12/7/77 Madison Square Garden
7/8/95 Atlanta Convention
Fall 95 Ace & Peter Tour - Center Stage
7/24,25,26,27/96 Madison Square Garden
10/1,2/96 Omni Atlanta (10/1 - front row center)
Spring 97 Columbus GA (Peter's drum tech sits in for the Cat)
4/15/00 Phillips Arena

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