The stage took up about a quarter of the place, counting the seats behind the stage area. Deafening volume was the result of that marriage. The band really did perform as if it were a larger venue and/or town. An insane crowd was comprised of about half Kiss Army fans and the other half mostly rockers from the area. It really had the feel of a Poker run. The rockers were more there to see a big name, which isn't all that common at the Civic Center. I got hit by flying things six times, three being cups of beer. Lots of female fans showed their approval of the performance by flashing their breasts and one really uninhibited lass gave the band (and the civic center) a look at everything. There were plenty of fights and marijuana puffing on the General Admission floor, which made me feel like I was back in 1979. The unruly hillbillies made the crowd at the Pittsburgh show look like a Sunday family get together. No complaints mind you, but OutBack Ray and myself both agreed it was a good thing our wives had stayed home. My ears still hurt, but no hangover since drinking seemed like it would impede my ability to enjoy the whole event. Fine times all around, except it is the only Kiss show where I didn't save a piece of confetti. To bend over and pick up a piece seemed to invite disaster in the form of a boot to the head. I must be getting old.

Since the Civic Center has a flat roof, as opposed the Arena's dome, Paul had the opportunity to use an overhead track to carry him to the back of the hall to sing "Love Gun". This was done with a cable that had a closed loop at the end, very similar to the "slide for life" obstacle in basic training. Mr. Eisen's a capella version of the opening to "Love Gun" set the stage for him to ask if he could hang out with the audience, followed by a trip across the auditorium. It ended with him landing on a platform, complete with microphone, behind the mixing board at the opposite side of the floor. Once the song was completed, he returned the same way. Al in all, a slightly better performance than the Awesome pair of appearences in the 'burgh

March 27, 1997

- Thom MacIntyre