KISS MY A**...Who you ask?...Click here!!!

  In publications from coast to coast Gene, Ace, Paul and Peter were dismissed as childish and immature-nothing more than a fad. The critics' disdain for KISS was only outdone by that of mothers everywhere. They were all wrong of course. Today, the band's continued vitality, even after several line-up changes and the removal of their trademark make-up, (not to mention the return of it in "96" at the Grammy's) and it's accompanying mystique and the enduring loyalty of the Kiss Army prove that mother doesn't always know best!

  What mom and thirty-ish rock critics didn't understand at the time (and probably still don't), then again mine did; is that KISS wasn't just our favorite rock band. It was the band that made us love music, that made us realize the full power of a power chord, that made us want to play guitar and bass, to form bands, to rock and roll all night....

During the 1970's, KISS owned teenage America. Kids dressed like them on Halloween and ate from lunch boxes covered with their painted faces. Older brothers and sisters blasted Alive! from 8 track decks. Parents from coast to coast hated their loud and obnoxious and offensive music. As musicians the band members became the perfect role models for millions of pimply-faced, would-be rock and rollers-the vast army of three-chord wonders who roamed the land with cheap electrics in their hands and a dream burning in their souls. Myself being one of them.

Today, 36 albums/C.D's later, KISS still kicks out the same high-energy, full blown arena rock that captured the imagination of an entire generation.

 Sometime in 1973:

 The Beacon Theater NYC, Saturday afternoon, $4.00 and a pre-consumed bottle of Boone's Farm Apple wine and copious amount of really good Jamaican weed; Steve and I walk inside. We found our seats, rolled another joint, lighted said joint and prepared to be entertained.....Holy S**t, entertained is an understatement. By the time Blue Oyster Cult came on all you could hear were 3,000 screaming kids chanting KISS, KISS, KISS, KISS........Until, BOC finally relented. After 5 songs they had an intermission...The curtain closed.....30 mins later, to a screaming, near frantic crowd the MC from behind the curtain once again said:

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, YOU ASKED FOR IT, YOU GOT IT, THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD.......KISSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!

I've seen them give or take 10-15 times since then, in every incarnation, with, without make-up, with Ace, Mark St John, Vinnie Vincent, Bruce Kulick and Tommy Thayer playing guitar; with Peter and Eric Carr and Eric Singer, playing drums.

No matter who the line-up boasts, the concert has always been OVER THE TOP, insane, incredible and just downright PROFESSIONAL....Regardless of how you feel about their music, they have always shown time and time again they are the consummate professionals when it comes to the stage....

I seem to remember a quote from Paul at the Grammys in "96" when he publicly stated to the world concerning the state of rock and roll today...This is paraphrased but just the same, I'm sure you'll get the point.....

"We have come back for one reason and one reason only. That's to show all these kids out here who think they are rock stars, what rock and roll is really about". "NOBODY CAN OUT ROCK KISS"!!!!

Since then they have proven that point over and over again, from the New Year's Eve celebration in the Hudson river harbor to their endless touring and SOLD OUT STADIUMS. KISS has shown with a vengeance, whether you like'em or not, they can still "ROCK AND ROLL ALL NIGHT, AND PARTY EVERY DAY!!!!!  Not to mention the fact that their legacy has been passed to the next generation, at least in my family....My 5 yr old Cheyenne loves the band, the music and has recently informed me that she is going to marry Paul......Oooooooh, really?

So, as my wife burns all the KISS C.D's we have, I have time to consider.....Just what band will I write about next....Only my daughter knows!!!!