The story starts in 1979 when my brother ,Michael, was going to see Kiss in Richfield,Ohio on the Dynasty Tour.
I was so upset that I couldn't go. I cried for days before the show.He came home with a t-shirt (which I still have ), a whistle necklace (with that glow-stick shit in it) Hearing the stories from my brother about exploding guitars, blood, fire, flying guitars and Gene flying, how they started the show... ...It blew my mind.
Fast forward to 1983. I was 11 years old and in 5th grade. I knew that my other brother ,Steve,was going to see Kiss. Again, I was so upset that I wasn't allowed to go. For weeks my nerves were shot. Watching the local commercials on Cleveland's channel 43 only drove the nail further into my heart.
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The day of the show came and I went to school. The thought that I wasn't old enough to go see Kiss consumed me. As soon as I got off the bus after school, I flew into my house to throw on my ripped-up clothes to play in a neighborhood football game. I still have a vivid picture of layering on clothes with the last piece being a dark blue football jersey.It was a generic jersey(I believe it was #11) that looked similar to this:
Steve was the only one home when I got there. He watched me get dressed and stood there as I bitched about not being able to go. He then let the BOOM come down on me. He told me that I WASN'T ALLOWED TO GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY FOOTBALL WITH MY FRIENDS. My heart sunk further. I let him have it.I yelled at him that he wasn't being fair and that he had no right to do that because he was going to see KIss tonight.
While the tears and insults towards my brother were flying, Steve held up the Kiss tickets. It infuriated me even further because I thought he was teasing me. The insults grew until he finally had mercy on me and told me that I WAS GOING TO SEE Kiss WITH HIM AND HIS FRIENDS. In an instant, he became the greatest person alive with me attacking him with hugs and laughter.
I remember my brother's friends being a little less than pleased that LITTLE BROTHER was tagging along.We went to the show. Being that this was my first show EVER, Everything looked HUGE.
The crowd while we walked into the Coliseum was hectic and intimidating. We stopped at one of the T-shirt stands and noticed something different.... ...SOMEONE DIFFERENT. The talk between all of us was that Ace must have changed his makeup.
took our seats in what was called the Coliseum THEATER (because they cut the Coliseum in half because of attendance).We were in the stands basically dead center in front of the stage The guy that was sitting in front of me had a tour book and he let me look at it. This was my first introduction to Vinnie Vincent. That fucking tour book looked so cool and it smelled incredible.
The show starts with the Plasmatics. Tits & tape, mohawks,, sledgehammering a TV, sawing through a guitar...
One can only imagine what my 11 year old face looked like.
Time for Kiss. Total BOMBAST !!!! I remember during DRC , I kept standing and sitting during the part of the song. Each song was delivered with total hunger and conviction. Paul Stanley saying "FUCK" throughout the night He told the crowd that whoever tells you that Kiss sucks, you can tell them to "FUCK OFF". He had the crowd chanting it while the blinding Kiss sign emphasized and punctuated each "FUCK" .
Gene's blood routine was one of his best ever (on recent tours, he has gone back to this very routine with the bell and cowering from the light...)
Eric Carr's drumming was solid and energized. The new guy owned the stage. I didn't feel bad at all that Ace wasn't there. This Vinnie guy was incredible.
The concert ended with the Tank drum riser shooting out the PA Cabinets above the stage .
NOW imagine the same 11 year old kid's face after The Plasmatics being totally annihilated by FUCKING Kiss !!!!
As we were leaving, My brother took me back to the t-shirt stand . I wanted the full color baseball jersey and a tour book but I got the black tour shirt instead. OH WELL. That's like getting a hand job from a hot chick when you wanted a blow job. I believe the shirt was something like $7.00. The shirt is now worn by a big teddy bear that sits on my couch. Sometimes my life-size Bela Lugosi cardboard cutout gets to wear it.
I was so worn out that I fell asleep on the car ride back to Youngstown.
The next day at school, I PROUDLY wore my new shirt as a testament to one of the greatest nights in my life.
Funny thing is, NO ONE BELIEVED THAT I WENT TO SEE Kiss. It makes my memory even sweeter because I saw the band during an era where they last displayed an honest hunger and drive to be the best.
My introduction to Vinnie and his playing only made me want to play guitar more. He still inspires me . Thankfully I have this great memory . THANK YOU, Vinnie !!!!
These are pictures of Vinnie from this exact concert. My spirit and excitement are in that very same air.
you lucky bastard
