Kiss Rock Hershey Park Stadium
By J. Frank Hagan
the Kiss Mask Webzine
It was the perfect night. The east coast has finally cooled down after an amazingly long heat-wave. A great night for a concert- a great night for a Kiss concert.
The Kiss machine rolled into Hershey Park Stadium last night bringing the Hottest Show On Earth tour and kicking up the temperatures with sound and sight only Kiss can do. There are only a handful of classic bands still active and touring, successfully, that can be counted on one hand- the Stones, Aerosmith, Springsteen and Kiss!
Having already seen 120 Kiss shows since I was 13 years old with Hershey being my 121st. I still get the pre- show excitement adrenaline as I did that very first time and everywhere in between. The feeling's the same, only the times have changed and I've gotten older. And so has Kiss. But you'd never know it on the band's part or mine.
Kiss brought in the heavy pyro, spectacular after show fireworks and a set-list that will disappoint no one. Songs from the new album, Sonic Boom, to the classics as "Deuce," "Firehouse" (glad to hear that back in the set again!!), "100,000 Years" and "Shout It Out Loud." Kiss sounds better than ever. In a time when bands go out and play sloppy, Kiss play with technique, power and experience.
Kiss had fun last night and it showed. It's awesome to me when a band still gets out there and enjoys themselves. At one point Paul forgot to start a line at one point in a song, realizing he had, laughed it off, smiling most of the night.
A check was presented by Paul Stanley for the $71,991.00 for the CSRA Wounded Warriors fund which Kiss is donating $1 for every ticket sold on the entire tour. The check represented the grand total from the first 5 shows of the tour. Paul then led the entire stadium into the Pledge of Alligance.
One of the highlights of the show is Eric and Tommy's duet/dueling/solos which is by far one of the most interesting and entertaining sections of the night. But hell, the whole night was entertaining.
Eric, one of the best drummers in the business, gives of himself 150% with his charismatic musicianship. Eric does "Beth" respectfully. It was truly cool to see this Kiss classic back in the set after a 6 year absence.
Tommy hits every note, a great technical player and is the ultimate professional. Tommy performed "Shock Me."
I was speaking to a woman in the fifth row with us was commenting on how Gene can works his hips at almost 61. I believe she was even turned on. Tongue waggling, gyrating, fire breathing, blood spitting and rib cracking bass- Yup. The Demon still has it!
Paul Stanley commands the stage like no other. Paul soloing a little bit of Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta' Love" before kicking into "Black Diamond" was a highlight for me in itself. Singing his heart out, running around onstage with splits and jumps like a 20 year old.
There's nobody like this band. I'm am so grateful that my band is still out there showing all the little boys how the big boys do it. I feel younger again. Friday's show in Camden, NJ (Philadelphia), I'm taking my 17 year old nephew. I can't wait to show him what rock and roll is all about!
Kiss's next show is August 6, 2010 when the tour hits the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, NJ (Philadelphia). Go to http://www.livenation.com/ a keyword KISS for tickets.
Set List:
"Modern Day Delilah"
"Cold Gin"
"Let Me Go, Rock ‘N Roll"
"Firehouse"
"Say Yeah"
"Deuce"
"Crazy Nights"
"Calling Dr. Love"
"Shock Me"
"I'm an Animal"
"100,000 Years"
"I Love It Loud"
"Love Gun"
"Black Diamond"
"Detroit Rock City"
Encore:
"Beth"
"Lick It Up"
"Shout It Out Loud"
"I Was Made for Lovin’ You"
"God Gave Rock 'N' Roll To You II"
"Rock and Roll All Nite"
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