From: Shane
Well first off I have to make a confession. I was not always a KISS fan. In fact, up until about 3 years ago I barely payed attention to the band. I only knew the band by their bad sterotypes. Coming from a right wing upbringing, that meant one thing.....KISS was bad, demonic, evil (fill in the blank). Not that I ever believed any of that nonsense but at the same time I never went out of my way to listen to the band. Two years ago I met (and recently married) my future wife and she introduced me to the band. At first I was pessimistic until I actually listened to their music and learned their story and how much they give back to their devoted fans. Needless to say I instantly became a convert and a die hard NEW SCHOOL fan!

I stood in line for 4 hours one cold Saturday morning in Greenville SC to purchase tickets for the show there on Friday April 21. In the 35 degree weather in full "ACE" paint I patiently waited to get my chance at the ticket window. I ended up with 20th row center. Not bad I thought. Little did I know just how good I had made out.

My wife and I travelled up to Charlotte on April 20th and saw the concert. We both dressed up. Me as "ACE" and her as .....well lets say a cute KISS groupie. Skid Row perfomed Okay but I was not impressed with the new lead singers vocal ability. Uncle Ted came on and showed a lot of soulful guitar playing ability but his loud mouth was a distraction. Both were quickly forgotten when the huge KISS curtain fell to cover the stage. The crowd went crazy. Lights went out and we heard those magic words "ALL RIGHT CHARLOTTE.......YOU WANTED THE BEST!!......YOU GOT THE BEST!!!....THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD KISS!!!!!". The Boys floated down as riffs to DTR began ringing off the coliseum walls. From there on out it was the most exciting 2 and a half hours I've had in a long time.

The highlights are to numerous to list but heres a few. Gene is absolutely into his character 100%! I mean he IS THE DEMON!! His firebreathing, blood spewing, stage stalking antics stole the show! He had the crowd in the palm of his metal gloved hand.

Paul is the consumate showman. To anyone that thinks he's old and lost a step or two let me just say you dont know what you're talking about. He was dancing across the stage for the whole show and his voice sounded amazing! And to everyone who has been dogging on Peter I say bologne! He was slamming the skins pretty good and even had a short solo. He was standing up and smiling at the crowd at times and looked to having a blast.

Ace was Ace. Cool and smooth. The guy should go down as one of the best Guitar players of all time. He just finds a groove and is playing incredibly. He was picking on Gene and Paul and moving all over the stage. He is in Tip Top Form and his Solo was one of the highlight of the Show (He played parts of Snow Blind, Ozone, New York Groove and a few others I cand remember!). We saw the boys again on Friday night in Greenville and were seated center floor right next to Pauls small stage!! During Love Gun my wife and I were 4 feet from the Starchild himself!! I couldn't believe it!!! It will go down as one of the most memorable experiences Ive ever had.

I could go on and on but I'll cut it short. For those who have never seen KISS live I have only one word ......GO!.........you will not regret it. And for those of you think the boys are old and washed up I laugh.....cause you most definately havent seen the band I just saw! Thank you Paul, Gene, Ace, and Peter for fantastic memories....God Bless you all and long live the Kings of ROck & Roll!!!

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