KISS IN SPRINGFIELD, IL ON MONDAY NIGHT

By BRIAN MACKEY THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER

(AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

You always remember your first time.

For Mike Austin, it was in St. Louis at the old Checkerdome.

“I had to sneak out of the house and lie to the parents to get to go,” he said. “I had to catch a ride with other people who had tickets.”

He was 14. It was the autumn of ’79. It was Kiss.

“After I saw them once, that was all it took,” he said.

Austin, who was living in Pawnee at the time, saw his first Springfield Kiss show in 1983.

He saw the band three times on that tour. Then he began seeing them more. A lot more.

Check out this clip of the Pledge of Allegiance from last night's record-breaking concert at Moondance Jam in Minnesota!

Thanks to the author for sharing his article with KISSOnline!

by Dave Reffett

Here is where my story with Kiss began. I was in the seventh grade and was a young hell-raising thrash kid into Megadeth, Testament, Anthrax, Overkill and Metallica.

One day my best friend had a Hit Parader magazine that he brought to school, and he said, “Dave, check these dudes out." When I saw Kiss on the cover, they had that whole "Japanese Kabuki meets outer-space warrior" vibe to them, and as a 12- or 13-year-old kid, I thought they ruled instantly. I didn’t even really care what kind of music they played or if they even played music at all. I was hooked.

To me, Kiss is the most underrated band of all time. I know some of you out there reading this are saying, WHAT!?!?! But here goes.

When I talk music, I always bring up Kiss because, pound for pound, they are probably my favorite band of all time. It’s a toss-up between them and Megadeth. But from a lot of people what I hear is, “Oh man, I could just never get into Kiss." I really feel like a lot of people are missing out on the greatness they have to offer.

Here's KISS with over 35,000 fans last night at the Moondance Jam in Walker, Minnesota.

Check out this tweet sent out by the Festival:

KISS rocks! Biggest Moondance crowd ever! This place is CRAZY!!!!

_{Photo by Dean Snowden}

Here are a few photos from the KISS Meet & Greet in Manchester, NH last Tuesday.

_{Photos by Keith Leroux for KISSOnline.}

Here are two great KISS tattoos spotted back stage recently at a KISS Meet & Greet.

_{Photos by Spiro Papadatos for KISSOnline.}

Hello KISS,

My name is Lou and I was one of the press photographers from Connections Magazine that was in attendance at the concert in Mt. Laurel. I wanted to thank everyone involved for putting on an outstanding performance. From the sound and lighting guys to KISS themselves. After 35 years, they still rock like day one.

Again, thank you for your time,
Lou Pereyra

LETTERS

I just want to express my thanks to KISS for being around for all of these years. I'm 20 years old, have been a fan since I was five, and just saw them for the 5th time last night in the Poconos. Each time I see them they just keep getting better.

I watch them and think to myself how amazing it is that they're still out there and touring and even continuing to make new music for all of us. I can't say how grateful I am for being able to still go and see this band I grew up with; or should I say, this band who my parents grew up with! It's incredible. Paul, you've been my favorite rock star since I was a little girl and I'm still hoping to meet you one day. For now, I'll have to do with this cardboard cutout I bought at a KISS Expo :) I just really love you guys so much.

Thank you Paul, Gene, Eric, and Tommy from the bottom of my heart for all that you continue to do for the KISS Army.

Lisa

LETTERS

Here are a few photos taken by OZFM before the KISS show in Newfoundland last weekend.

CLICK HERE to view more KISS photos from in OZFM's before the show gallery.

Check out these great photos of the Newfoundland KISS Army!

All photos by OZFM.com

Here are a few of OZFM's KISS Newfoundland concert photos.

CLICK HERE to view the full OZFM KISS Concert photo gallery..

They’re called “The Hottest Band in the World” for good reason, and on the night of July 9th in Grand Falls-Windsor, a massive sea of screaming Newfoundlanders witnessed an incredible, explosive, fire-breathing rock ‘n roll extravaganza unlike anything we’ve seen before…

Iconic rockers KISS played for a packed-solid crowd, with special guests Smash Mouth, Down With Webster, The Orchestra (featuring original members of ELO), and Fefe Dobson. Gene Simmons tweeted “The KISS conquest of Planet Earth… Here in Grand Falls-Windsor… population 15,000… concert attendance 25,000.” It was truly a monumental, unforgettable event.

The weather was sunny and gorgeous all day, right up ’til KISS took the stage… and then, as if on cue, the heavens opened up and the rain came down. And nobody cared, because not even nature can compete with the sheer energy and fire power of KISS. An almost electric “we’re all in this together” vibe coursed through everybody there, as we shook off the rain and partied on the grass while KISS blasted through hits including “Rock & Roll All Nite,” “Strutter,” “Cold Gin,” Shout It Out Loud,” and “Detroit Rock City.” There were explosions. There were huge columns of fire. There was spitting of blood. It was bombastic rock ‘n roll at it’s finest.

Paul Stanley declared onstage, “Tonight, I’m a Newfie!” (He also pronounces “Newfoundland” the correct way.) The whole band showed much love and appreciation for the audience, whose spirits could not be dampened by rain, and we loved KISS right back. As the show ended, Paul promised “We will see you again!”

KISS, at the Salmon Festival Mega Concert in Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland, was proudly presented by NTV, The Newfoundland Herald, and the Rock of the Rock, Newfoundland’s OZFM!

Check out these clips of "God Of Thunder" and "Rock and Roll All Nite" from last night's KISS concert in the Poconos! Special thanks to Russell Dannecker for sending these videos to KISSonline.

Thanks to our friend, Matt Porter for taking these photos of the KISS Army out in full-force last night at the KISS show in Bushkill, PA.

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Last night, to celebrate the international rock and roll day, the Sport Center hosts, Paulo Soares and Antero Grecco wore the makeup of Gene and Paul!

Thanks,
João

LETTERS