Hi

[Mattshannon]

My name is Matt...new to the board (obviously). Just wanted to take a moment and say hello to everyone. I am a Kiss fan from Destroyer on...(I was only seven when it was released--but it was a land mark Lp for me).

Now I sort of have a love/extreme dislike take on Kiss and where they are now. But they are doing what they do and making money -- so any criticism I may throw out there is with that disclaimer in mind.

I saw Vinnie with Kiss on The Creatures Of The Night tour in Nashville --Super bowl Sunday 1983 and on the Lick It Up tour in Memphis. Both great shows, but the Creatures show was actually sold out in Nashville and this was the first time I had seen Kiss since the Dynasty tour so it was amazing.

When I saw the Lick It Up tour in Memphis the venue was barely half full...no make up...Paul and Gene were obviously pissed at the low turnout and Paul made no secret of this fact--as he made several smart ass comments regarding the lack luster attendance. Also it was hard for me to believe, as well, when I looked around the coliseum with so many empty seats. It was a "sinking feeling" and unfortunately the shape of things to come for the eighties. Vinnie and Eric gave it their all and Paul seemed to settle in and put on a great show. However, Gene, never stopped putting his hand over his forehead and scanning the crowd or lack thereof. He seemed angry and disappointed till the very end...not to mention his awkward demeanor without his normal suit of armor.

Oh well....enough for now.

Again, hope all is well with everyone and glad to be a new member.

[doublev2]

hi welcome. Thats interesting because Lick it up had a higher turn out overall . Creatures was a real low point in tour sales. So in Tennessee it was different. Thanks for that.
I was just watching old footage and Vinnie was great back then wasn't he?

[Mattshannon]

Thank you for the welcome. Yes Vinnie was on fire. If you ever get a chance or can locate the file of Kiss Live in Nashville on the Lick It Up Tour (I believe it was on King Biscuit as well) --definitely download it. The solo Vinnie rips on "Love Gun" is absolutely amazing.

They played Nashville the night after or maybe before Memphis and unfortunately at the time I was too young to make both shows. Some of my friends were there and said it was practically a full house. Nashville has always been a strong Kiss market. Memphis -- only on the Reunion, Psycho Circus and the Farewell Tours -- and of course, in the 1970's.

[doublev2]

I was too young. I was locked up in religious boarding school being molested while VV was touring the States in 84 showing people how its done. . I laugh only now.

[Genebaby]

Welcome Matt, and thanks for the insight into the shows you saw.

I don't understand why someone would berate the people that are at the show about the people that didn't turn up. What is the point? You should have been commended for showing up!

[doublev2]

i was at a kiss show in Casper Wyoming of all places and it was very empty and I felt that Paul was not exactly happy. He usually is a real pro. Crazy Nights tour with Anthrax. Not a big selling tour anyway.

[Slayer]

Welcome here Bro!

[shramiac]

Yo!

[PinkWiz]

Welcome!

[poserboy71]

A pleasure to have you here. I can tell you are going to contribute some great posts.

Peace--Rick

[Brooklyn_Born]

Welcome Matt! Thanks for the interesting info for the tours you saw Vinnie live! You guys in the US were so lucky to see that amazing era of kiss In Australia it was all about the original line up, Kiss were dropped like a fad once the make up was gone, us remaining fans were like a secret society over in Oz!

[Mattshannon]

Thanks everyone. Happy New Year!

[metatron]

Hi Matt.
[youtube][/youtube]

[KissMyAss]

Dear Matt

Welcome. That was an awesome description of The Lick It Up tour.

[Mattshannon]

Thank you!