“You wanted the best, you got the best: the hottest band in the world - Kiss!” That infamous self-introduction that has kicked off thousands Kiss concerts across the globe rang through Bridgestone Arena Tuesday night for the last time.
Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and company have officially declared their decadent rock group has finally reached the “End of the Road,” as their farewell tour name suggests.
Rock icons brought their psycho circus to Nashville for one last exhibition of all things rock n’ roll. With over four decades of loud and unapologetic success under their studded black leather belts, the band unleashed their full arsenal at Bridgestone Arena as they descended to the stage from a gigantic platform behind massive flames and explosions.
The 1976 hit “Detroit Rock City” was the opening song to that set the stage for a nearly two and half hour set that covered the band’s catalogue and hits throughout their decades of reign as one of the world’s most successful rock bands.
Of course this is the second “final” Kiss tour. Fans thought the foursome was officially hanging up their platform boots back in 2000. Thankfully for younger generations that wasn’t the true end. Now 19 years later, Paul Stanley asked for a show of hands for those attending their first Kiss concert. As hundreds of hands reached for the ceiling, he promised to make it a memorable show, adding “nobody forgets their first Kiss!”
As the band entertained the packed arena throughout the night they delivered all the classics such as “Calling Dr. Love,” “Rock and Roll All Nite,” and “Shout it Out Loud,” as well as later releases including the heavy-hitting “War Machine” and “Psycho Circus.
No Kiss show would be complete without the over the top antics that made them a pop sensation. Even in their 60s, the band members spat fire, dripped blood, blew up guitars, and flew through the air causing a spectacle of rock glory for all in attendance.
After a three song encore, Paul Stanley smashed his guitar signaling the final curtain as a fitting gesture of farewell for a true rock n’ roll legacy.
Set list:
Detroit Rock City
Shout It Out Loud
Deuce
Say Yeah
I Love It Loud
Heaven’s On Fire
War Machine
Lick It Up
Calling Dr. Love
100,000 Years
Cold Gin
God of Thunder
Psycho Circus
Let Me Go, Rock ‘N’ Roll
Love Gun
I Was Made For Lovin’ You
Black Diamond
Encore:
Beth
Do You Love Me
Rock and Roll All Nite