The Doors’ Jim Morrison may have said it, but KISS lived it Saturday night at the world’s most famous venue, Madison Square Garden. It was a symbolic end to a 50-year career that began just a few streets away in New York City.
Starchild, Sayanora. Monster, get over it. Goodbye, deafening pyrotechnics like “Black Diamond” and “Heavens on Fire.” Or—is this it?
At the second show of a two-night stand at MSG, KISS spent two hours and fifteen minutes convincing 20,000 dedicated fans that this was their grand farewell. We’ll never see Gene Simmons spitting fire at the end of the straight-up stomper “I Love It Loud” or shaking his top knot and (fake) blood running down his chin during “Deuce” Will be able to see.
It seemed as if the end of an era was near when Paul Stanley took a final flight to the B-stage, stepping pony-like over the heads of fans on a makeshift zip-line during “Love Gun” and showing off his shaggy Shaking the black hair. ,
Of course, it was an emotional ending when guitarist Tommy Thayer, bassist Eric Singer and drummer Stanley Simmons emerged from behind the piano from behind the piano to sing KISS’s most popular – and surprise – hit, “Beth.” Stanley, Simmons and Tommy Thayer Slowly walked out, obviously, everyone caught the moment as they went to every corner to wave to fans. Correct? Especially when Stanley gave Simmons a pat on the shoulder and a thumbs up while acknowledging their many years of brotherhood?
Was this KISS’s final live performance?
We’ll put aside our scepticism and accept that the four men on stage were expressing genuine sentiment. Now a new KISS era was beginning, a message blasted across the video screen in front of the quartet, perhaps their dressing, as they left the stage in a plume of smoke and confetti with the set-closing “Rock and Roll All Night”. The room was affected. Even by KISS standards, this was a most on-brand move.
This was followed by digital effigies of the band performing their hit song, “God Gave Rock and Roll to You”. Yes, just seconds after the real KISS unveiled their virtual counterparts complete with spandex, face paint, studs and dragon boots.
But let’s put that gross component aside for a second and enjoy the insanely great production that KISS created for their nearly four-year-old End of the Road Tour. Stanley spoke to the audience several times during the pay-per-view event with his distinctive New York accent, beginning each exchange with a friendly “So.”
He told a fascinating story about his time as a taxi driver in 1972, telling a couple he was taking to see Elvis Presley at MSG and “someday people will come here to see me.” Stanley often expressed his thanks by patting his chest and making a heart sign with his hands throughout the evening.
He told the cheering crowd, “This is where the road ends. Although it may seem disappointing, this evening is a celebration of our combined achievements. And without you, we could not have succeeded.”
How KISS created a charismatic and flamboyant movement
Simmons’ voice seemed better composed than Stanley’s screams, especially during “Cold Gin”. Stanley’s vocals on “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” seemed to be shamelessly taken from vocal recordings, but no one minded. This is how KISS created a movement full of fire and drama.
KISS will never be considered a band that changed music history. Their music is mostly composed of fast beats, pounding guitars and simple choruses that are full of suggestive sexual content. However, that’s why it was important. There was no hesitation, no contemplation. Raise your hand, “shout it louder,” and enjoy revolutionary display skills, fire and laser blitzkrieg.
The band will always be remembered in the annals of rock lore for their unapologetic love of ridiculousness and thunder, as well as their clever marketing strategy and founding of the KISS Army movement.
Even though the majority of the sellout audience was made up of people who grew up during KISS’s explosion in the late 1970s, there were isolated examples that showed the band’s influence spanned multiple generations.
It also meant that some younger viewers, who were accustomed to the tunes of old-fashioned rock shows where the musicians were exposed for at least part of the spectacle, did not listen to Thayer and Singer throughout their tenure. Decided to stick to my phone display. Guitar and drum solo.
It also meant that some of the younger audience, who were accustomed to the tunes of old-fashioned rock shows where the musicians were exposed for at least part of the spectacle, did not listen to Thayer and Singer throughout their tenure. Decided to stick to my phone display. Guitar and drum solo.
While some live music lovers may be happy to see those glorious interludes disappear, others will be saddened by their gradual disappearance, but this particular night held significance as a reminder of the stadium rock that was in the making. KISS helped.
Before the balloons descended during a rendition of “Do You Love Me”, Stanley said from the stage, “You made us possible and we will always remember and love you.” KISS has undoubtedly enjoyed immense popularity for the last fifty years. However, how the band plays now will determine how their legacy will end up.
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