Before the Show

I was starting to think I wasn't gonna get to do Rikki's MnG. The lady at the ticket office swore up and down the MnG had been canceled and argued w/me there was only one fan club w/Poison. Kinda funny when I finally got her to humor me and call the main office that I had a pass w/in 5 minutes. LOL I met Karyn, a new friend from the Hollyweird mailing list, while we were waiting for the show to start and we talked for a while.

Skid Row

I originally wasn't sure if I was going to like the opening acts or not, but, overall, I'd have to say that as a package deal, this is the strongest group of bands Poison has had w/them in the last 5 years. Skid Row put on a good show, mixing the old hits like 18 and Life, I Remember You, and Youth Gone Wild with 2 brand new songs, Thick Is The Skin and New Generation, from a new album, Thick Skin, which the new singer did an excellent job of pimping. LOL One thing I learned backstage was that the new singer used to be the singer for Bullet Boys (Smooth Up In Ya). I think he sounds better than Sebastian, JMO. The band's set list was Slave to the Grind, Piece of Me, New Generation, Monkey Business, 18 and Life, Psychotherapy (with Rachel Bolan on lead vocals), I Remember You, Thick is the Skin, and Youth Gone Wild.

Vince Neil

Vince Neil put on a killer show. Lots of Motley songs and a few of his solo hits. He knows how to get a crowd reaction anytime he wants one which is just part of putting on a great show. Keeping the crowd involved. There sure weren't very many people sitting during the set and if they did, it was usually just for one song. Actually I like Vince's voice a lot better now than I did back in the day; age has mellowed it just a little bit and he sounds great. His band is Jason Hook, guitar; Brent Fitz, drums, and Alan Vine, bass. Vince's set list was Shout at the Devil, All in the Name of Rock, Too Young to Fall in Love, Girls Girls Girls, Same 'Ol Situation, Home Sweet Home, Wildside, You're Invited (But Your Friend Can't Come), Looks That Kill, and Dr. Feelgood. He came back to do a two-song encore to huge crowd pops with Teaser and Kickstart My Heart.

Poison

Finally it was time for Poison and they did not in the least disappoint. They did a great show at Burlington, but the performance at Bonner Springs blew that one away by far. They played a very similar set list to past years, but yet they performed the songs as if it was the first time they had ever played them on tour. They had added 2 "new" songs this year to the set: I Won't Forget You and Stand. I was thrilled to FINALLY hear them do I Won't Forget You live. Am I gonna date myself if I say it was my class song when I graduated from high school? Bret said he always gets requests for it every year, but they had not done it live since the LWTCDI tour. Hopefully they will keep it the set from now on. I like the original version of Stand, but I LOVE the version w/C.C. I really think they should re-record it with C.C. and release it as a single. I bet it would do better this time around. If you love the pyro, this is the show for you; they are using more than they ever have. All 4 of them are having a great time on stage and it shows. This is the way a rock 'n roll show is supposed to be: one giant party. So those who have concerts yet to come, bring your dancing shoes and hold on tight. It will be one hell of a night :D

The After-Show

After the show was not much of a wait for once: maybe 15 minutes. Apparently having a pass from Club Rockett was like having the Holy Grail for getting back with any speed. The MnG took place in the dressing rooms, which was a first for KC. I got to meet "Big John" from the Tour Diaries and he was really nice. Bret was in the hall coming out of Rikki's dressing room. He was asked by one of the girls why he didn't acknowledge her when she flashed him during the concert. He told her sorry, he didn't see them or he would have. She asked him if he'd like to "see her tits now" which put a smirk on Bret's face kinda like that was a really dumb question to ask him. He said of course he would, but strictly for "aesthetic purposes." He told her she had "nice titties" and gave her a hug. Bret gave several others hugs and shook hands with the guys and left. I know he signed some autographs for some radio contest winners, but from what was said later, his bus left the venue shortly after that. Then the group was taken into Rikki's dressing room. Rikki was such a nice guy to everyone. He gave everyone a hug and a kiss (well, the females at least LOL), took pictures, autographs, and took the time to actually talk w/everyone for a few minutes too. He made sure everyone got another hug b4 anyone left. Apparently I must have had a really strange look on my face by the time it was my turn to talk. I got asked if I was gonna cry or needed a tissue. I managed to say no and get my autograph and picture. It was just one of those "Holy Crap" moments as I call them. One of those times where you have just enough time for your brain to start thinking and realize that you're in the dressing room or someplace else of someone that you were just listening to onstage a short time ago. And start wondering what you're doing there. I am so not the type that would normally get backstage to meet anyone if not for the fan clubs. I know I'm not alone in appreciating them for helping make dreams come true.