A fond farewell to the mighty Kiss!

HAVING grown up during the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) in the late 1970s American rockers Kiss were sadly never really on my wave length.

I knew of their existence, some of my school pals enthused about them a little but when they first arrived in the UK at Manchester Free Trade hall on my 13th birthday, they were sadly not on my radar.

Even after being won over by the big hit in the 80s “Crazy, Crazy Nights,” it was until the Sonic Boom Over Europe tour of 2010 that I first got to see them in the flesh – and of course once you have witnessed the spectacular stage show, you are hooked for life.

I was due to see them again in 2017 in Manchester but missed out due to the bomb attack on the arena, eight days before the band was due to perform. It clearly left its mark as the band made several mentions of the tragedy during the concert and also helped raise £300,000 for a MRI scanner at a local hospital. The fund-raising hasn’t ended there as two special guitars, to be autographed by the band and both Manchester United and Manchester City squads, are to be auctioned off in September.

It is good to see that these American superstars have big hearts, as well as big hair, big boots and a big stage show with big fireworks!

Seeing the final curtain call left me wishing I had got into Kiss in a big way during the school days and taken the time to check them out earlier.

But having seen them twice, both at Manchester, I can honestly say they are one of the best live rock shows you will ever see. If you like the music (and I do!) it is a bonus.

Looking around the audience, a lot were middle aged men like me, but there were also families, with youngsters adorning Kiss face paint.

I’m sure if Kiss wanted to carry on they would easily win over a new Kiss Army – but they insist this is the farewell tour.

It may well be a final world tour, but with their 50th anniversary on the horizon it wouldn’t surprise me if they didn’t rock up for a few more big gigs before they call it a day! I certainly hope they grace our shores again!

The show pretty much speaks for itself – packed with “Kiss Klassics” from the opening notes of “Detroit Rock City” to the final “Rock ‘n’ Roll all Nite” – and boy we certainly did.

What a night! Thank you for the memories!

Probably witnessed the end of the road for one of the greatest ever #rock acts of all time 🎸🔥🎸👏🏻 @KISSOnline ❤️ pic.twitter.com/xcWX8jq7kU

— Gary Skentelbery (@GarySkent) July 13, 2019