"You wanted the best, you got the best, the hottest band in the world...KISSSSSSS" If that announcement doesn't get your blood pumping in anticipation of what is about to happen, you're dead! First time I saw Kiss was 11/21/79 in the Seattle Center Coliseum. Life changing forever and a big reason I'm a concert photographer all these years later. No way in a million years (actually over 30) I thought I'd be writing a KISS show blog. Well it's 2011 and Kiss is still kicking ass! The opening night of their summer Lost Cities Tour started in Everett, WA last night and WOW! Even with a scaled down version of the usual big city stage show Iâm use to with Kiss, they blew the roof off the Comcast Arena. The original members Paul Stanley sounded great, Gene looked rested and feisty , Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer were spot on and looked completely comfortable in their rolls carrying on the Cat & Spaceman figures within Kiss. Their dual solos during "Shock Me" was a big highlight for me during the show with a new twist of playing and showmanship. Gene actually brought back "God of Thunder" into the set (first time in some years, see video) and they even did "Do You Love Me" along with many other classics. Set list was as follows: Modern Day Delilah/Cold Gin/Let Me Go, Rock 'N' Roll/Say Yeah/Deuce/Firehouse/Do You Love Me/Calling Dr. Love/Shock Me/God of Thunder/Love Gun/100,000 Years/I Love It Loud/Black Diamond/Detroit Rock City/Encore: Beth/Lick It Up/Shout It Out Loud/God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You II(Argent cover)/Rock in Roll All Nite.
Even though the arena was only about 75% full (personally I thought the ticket prices were overpriced for a out-of-big-market show in this economy) many of the face painted and costumed fans felt they got their monies worth with what I thought was one hell of an explosive show (see Rock in Roll All Nite video ending) that left me thinking there's no end in sight as long as Gene & Paul are driven and alive to keep this live circus show alive. Even in a scaled version of their show, they still blew every other bands normal show away! The classics, the show, the band, the fans, only the end of the world will end the hottest show on earth! Long live Kiss!!
Watch for Kissâ new CD releasing soon, their 20th studio release! Stay updated online with the rest of The Lost Cities Kiss Tour and more at http://www.kissonline.com and http://www.facebook.com/kiss
View show photos below by clicking each photo and also view on my Facebook at www.SavoiaPhotographyLive.com
Yeah I'll admit my first KISS show was 11/21/79 in the Seattle Center Coliseum way before many of you were probably born or even listening to KISW as I have for over 35 years..ha! I've shot KISS many times over the years including the original 4 but nearly to the day 30 years later when I got to shoot KISS at the Seattle Key Arena (aka Seattle Center Coliseum) that was a dream! Who would've thought as that snot nose little kid in the stands 30 years earlier I'd be photo shooting KISS right in front of the stage in the same building in 2009! See video below of my photos and hear "Deuce" live from the soundboard at the show. Well here it is 2011 and KISS are bigger than ever and this time around I get to bring my whole family to the show. The first time for the kids to see KISS live, can't wait to see their reaction especially if they get to see me right in front of the stage shooting the band in-between all the explosions and fireworks, who would've thought this be happening all these years later. Thanks Gene & Paul for keeping the KISS circus going and giving me that flashback to my childhood one more time! New KISS record on the way too! See http://www.kissonline.com Tickets still available for Everett Comcast Arena show this Thursday buy now at: http://www.kissonline.com/tour or http://www.comcastarenaeverett.com/Events/GeneralEvents.ashx?p=1154&70_evntdt=961&70_evnt=665
Watch at 3:50 when I forget for 2 seconds I'm shooting and start rocking out...hilarious...no one can ever doubt my love & passion for what i do and the music that makes me who I am today.
