KISS dazzles in farewell

By GINA VIVINETTO

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 14, 2000

TAMPA -- You may think those are the staged shenanigans of concert videos, but no, grown women really do lift their tops and show their wares to rock stars. Granted, this was more prevalent in the late 1970s and '80s -- the glory era of arena rock.

Then again, Wednesday night's KISS concert at the Ice Palace in Tampa was like being in a time warp. When's the last time you saw bras and panties thrown onstage? A drum platform perched atop mountains of amplifiers? Pyrotechnics?

KISS, known for its over-the-top theatrics, costumes and naughty ways, made good on its 25-year legend. Billed "The Farewell Tour," this year's round of concerts, which the band claims is its last, included all four original members, in the classic make-up, playing the hits.

KISS burst onstage with Detroit Rock City, the powerhouse tune that whipped the crowd into a frenzy. KISS choruses are big and stupid, and delicious for just that reason. For two hours fans, many of them made-up themselves, screamed along to Deuce, Shout It Out Loud and Calling Dr. Love.

The band also ripped through Heaven's On Fire and Lick It Up, hits from its "unmasked" days, when the spooky makeup came off and fans realized all four members looked a heck of a lot like comedian Garry Shandling.

Not Wednesday. Gene Simmons, resplendent in demon makeup, spiked shoulder armor, leather-studded wings and thigh-high dragon boots, taunted the audience with impressive tongue gymnastics. Simmons did what we all expected: he spit blood, blew fire from his mouth and mysteriously rose from the stage while playing bass. Well, not so mysteriously; those wires were pretty visible.

Paul Stanley played his lover role to the hilt, saucily licking his index finger and pointing it at women in the audience. Stanley did the glamor poses, holding his guitar behind his head, slowly swiveling his hips.

Drummer Peter Criss descended from his platform to treat the audience to Beth, sung to recorded backup music since KISS neglected to bring along a string section and piano.

The show highlighted guitarist Ace Frehley's special talents, too. Frehley, dressed in outer space attire, sang Shock Me and 2000 Man -- penned by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards -- and did a lengthy solo resulting in his Gibson billowing smoke and emitting flames. You just don't get theatrics like this from today's rock, where stripped-down stage shows prove you take your art seriously.

KISS takes it seriously -- in the band's unique way.

Stanley closed the show with a speech, urging fans not to give their hard-earned money to rock bands that don't love them like KISS does. For more than two decades, Stanley said, that has been KISS's message. That, and how rock 'n' roll can save your soul.

Then finally, through a blizzard of confetti and stage lights, with the monstrous pummel of Rock and Roll All Nite, KISS said goodbye.