Kiss brought its End Of The Road World tour to Tampa’s Amalie Arena on Thursday night, and If this is Kiss’ final tour, so be it, as they gave the fans everything they could want and more.
As I walked into the arena affectionately known as the Oil Can, I noticed the extraordinary amount of people who were wearing not only Kiss gear, but also the amount of people wearing the face paint of their favorite band member. The lines to the merchandise tables were comparable to the lines at most Disney parks, despite spending the most money that I have ever seen charged for a concert t-shirt. The bars were also packed to the hilt as the show start time was 7:30, but Kiss wouldn’t be taking the stage until 8:45. There wasn’t a typical band scheduled opener, but instead Kiss had artist David Garibaldi create large canvas paintings of Ozzy Osbourne and Steven Tyler while Ozzy and Aerosmith music played over the house speakers. Garibaldi also did a painting of Kiss to close out his 30-minute display of amazing artistry. I asked a few fans in the stands what they thought about having this performance in lieu of an opening band and the responses were positive all the way around as they have never seen this before.
A few minutes before Kiss took the stage, I noticed how packed the arena was. From the top of the third level on down to the seated floor area, there wasn’t an empty seat. Frank Colluci, a huge Kiss fan seeing the band for his 7th time said the arena was “Paul McCartney” packed.
As Led Zeppelin’s “Rock N Roll” blared through the speakers, the crowd jumped to their feet as they watched Kiss and manager Doc McGhee traverse the bowels of arena that led to the stage.
The huge “You wanted the best, so you got the best,” played on the loud speakers while the black curtain with the Kiss logo hit the floor and the band rode risers down while playing “Detroit Rock City.” It was as grandiose as an entrance and an opening you will see and it set the stage for possibly the greatest rock concert production that I, and most in the crowd, have ever seen.
Kiss continued with “Shout it out Loud” and then Paul Stanley addressed the crowd starting with one of his many “Hey Tampa” and that they were glad to be back in Tampa as it has been few years. Kiss then continued with the classic “Deuce” and a deep track in “Say Yeah” off of the 2009 release Sonic Boom. Stanley talked between most songs and even mentioned how the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame hated Kiss but they had to listen to the fans, so they finally inducted them in 2014.
After “I Love It Loud” and “Heavens on Fire” the stage was lit up with massive pyrotechnics during one of Kiss’ heavier songs, “War Machine.” Soldiers marched in unison on the video screens to the bass and drum beats. As the sirens wailed, Simmons took a flaming torch and spit into it to set off a huge plume of fire and smoke. The young kids in the crowd were amazed at what they witnessed and smiled at their parents with appreciation.
Kiss then played “Lick It Up” and combined it with the Who’s ”We Won’t Get Fooled Again.” It was an interesting mash-up that actually worked marvelously. After “Calling Doctor Love” and a drum solo by Eric Singer during “100,000 Years,” it was guitarist Tommy Thayer’s time to shine. The multiple 8 sided risers that were above the stage turned into spaceships/saucers. Thayer soloed after “Cold Gin” and shot pyro projectiles out of his guitar making the saucers explode.
Next it was Simmons turn to solo during the mighty “God Of Thunder.” Simmons spat blood out of his mouth before rising to the rafters of Amalie Arena while the multiple video screens showed his silhouette throughout the arena. Simmons has been doing this for years, but never the less, it’s always a memorable moment at Kiss shows, not only because of the spectacle, but because the bass line is one of the more memorable ones in rock history.
Stanley addressed the crowd again and stated that they needed to loosen up a bit, forget everything in the news, and become more like animals prior to the start of a huge pyro crash that lead the band into “Psycho Circus.”
Stanley then asked the crowd to scream his name loudly and then he would come into the crowd to perform. After the fans obliged, Stanley flew across the crowd on a metal ring to a small stage near the soundboard where the band and him played “Love Gun.” It was an intimate setting as the crowd in the back felt like they were in the first row not only for “Love Gun” but also the very disco-based track from the Dynasty record “I Was Made For Loving You.” Stanley stated to the crowd that it was their most successful international song but tonight the track seemed to lose the crowd a bit in Tampa.
The band recovered the crowd as Stanley returned to the main stage for a rousing rendition of “Black Diamond” off of their 1974 self titled debut album. The crowd who had been singing most of the night with the band really joined in for the chorus and seemed a bit gassed as Kiss had played past the two hour mark.
Both the band and the crowd got a quick breather as a grand piano was brought out for drummer Eric Singer to perform the fan favorite “Beth.” Rose petals dropped down on the stage and were shown on the video screens as the other three members met Singer in the middle of stage to sing the chorus with him and the fans.
After the second of the three song encore “Do You Love Me” concluded, It was time for the finale in “Rock and Roll All Night.” A thundering pyro crash shot once again through the crowd as the opening notes were played and confetti streamed throughout the arena. Paul Stanley took over on vocals for Simmons during the chorus and got the crowd to join in when Thayer and Simmons were lifted through the air by massive cranes toward the fans on both sides of the venue. Singer also took to the skies on his drum riser then returned to meet the other three members as they concluded their set with more pyro and confetti and to say good night to the fans. Stanley stated “Tampa, We Will Never Forget You” and then the band took a bow then departed the stage.
The Kiss End Of The Road World Tour was everything and much more that a Kiss show has ever been. More pyro, more songs, more lasers and definitely more memories. If this is Kiss’ last Hurrah, then they have concluded a stellar career that has been full of mostly ups and maybe a few downs. One thing is for sure, Kiss has always given their fans their money’s worth and surely know how to bring the Rock and Roll and the party every night.
Review and photos by Travis Failey
