Artist: KISS Venue: Best Buy – 86th Street (New York, NY) Event: “Symphony: Alive IV” CD Release/Meet and Greet Date: 7/23/2003 Label: Sanctuary Records
Earlier this year when it was announced that KISS was going to do a concert with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra I said “oh great, KISS is following in the footsteps of Metallica & the Scorpions” who had each released a similar effort over the past years. Who ever would have guessed it? Certainly not me but despite my reservations about it I had to admit that the idea was a little more intriguing when I took the time to think it over. This is primarily due to the fact that when it comes down to the brass tacks; KISS will always deliver no matter what the skeptics will say. This case would be no different as I would later find out once I had time to absorb the release after a couple of spins.
The CD for KISS Symphony: Alive IV” arrived here in the States back in July and to celebrate it there was a promotion from a mass retailer called Best Buy which said to come in and purchase the CD on the day of its release and not only get a signed copy, but also the chance to get to meet the band who would be in full makeup and even get your photo taken with them. There were two editions of the CD being released that day and one was a standard type and another would be a limited edition deluxe version that was housed in a beautiful douoble-gatefold package with raised, embossed lettering. Continue reading KISS’ “Symphony: Alive IV” CD Release/Fan Meet and Greet (7/23/2003)→
Artist: KISS Venue: PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel, NJ) Opener: Poison and ZO2 Label: Sanctuary Records Date: 07-20-2004
KISS Returns once again!!! The “Farewell Tour” has ended and so has the “World Domination Tour”. Now KISS has come back with the “Rock The Nation” tour and the first stop in the Tri-State area was New Jersey’s PNC Arts Center. KISS’ return this time around would be without two of its founding members. Sadly, Lead Guitarist Ace Frehley has been gone for a few years, replaced by Black N Blue’s Tommy Thayer. Most recently, Drummer Peter Criss has been replaced by Eric Singer who fans remember well from a couple of KISS albums in the 90’s (“Revenge” and “Carnival Of Souls”). These guys are decked out in the full costumes and makeup of the founders which I admit bothered me at first since I grew up with this band. However, seeing Tommy play his part as Ace and knowing full well the abilities of Eric Singer I looked past it, and decided to go. Continue reading KISS @ PNC Bank Arts Center (7/20/2004)→
Artist: KISS and Aerosmith Venue: Madison Square Garden (New York, NY) Date: 11/16/2003 Label: Universal Music
As I begin to write this piece I wanted to say first off that I think I am a very lucky guy to have the chance to see shows at possibly one of the greatest arena’s ever built. “The Garden” as it is called by fans is the home of the The NY Rangers hockey and The NY Knicks basketball teams in addition to playing host to some of the most popular talent in the Music World . So seeing KISS on what they refer to as Home Ground is almost an out of body experience for me. As all fans know, KISS is from the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens. Each Borough is about a 20 minute cab ride from the City. Continue reading KISS & Aerosmith @ Madison Square Garden (11/16/2003)→
Artist: KISS Venue: Regal Theater’s (New York, NY) Event: “Symphony: Alive IV” Theatrical Presentation Date: 9/9/2003 Label: Sanctuary Records
It was only a few months earlier when I had found myself on line at a Best Buy in the city to not only purchase a copy of the newest CD by KISS, but also to get a chance to pose for a photograph with them. I still laugh at how much of a fan boy I become when it concerns anything about this band but they have always been able to remain one of my favorites for many, many years. Who could blame me about this because when the fans had purchased the CD they would be able to get their copy signed as well, or at least what we found out when we did this was that the signed inserts were given to you as you hit the cash register. By now all the readers and KISS fans around the globe are aware that the album “KISS: Symphony Alive IV” captured the band in concert with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the CD kicked many different levels of ass when it came down to it. It is a sure fire recommendation to any existing KISS fan and even those who just want a superb live album. That event was discussed HERE for the interested to observe. Continue reading The Screening Of: KISS “Symphony: Alive IV” @ Regal Cinemas (9/9/2003)→