The third installment of the KISS Kruise again led off with a sail away show that left many fans wanting more. Hot off an extensive tour of Japan, the band dusted off some old classics that haven’t been played in a while and also tackled tunes that have never been played by any incarnation of any KISS lineup throughout their 40 year career.
Upon taking the stage, bassist Gene Simmons was sporting a blue & white Hawaiian type of shirt. Rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley kept making pot shots about it until the point when Simmons offered the shirt for sale and proclaimed that the proceeds would go to charity. The band obviously was in a great mood to start and this provided some memorable moments. Kiss played for about an hour and 25 minutes. Drummer Eric Singer provided vocals on “Nothin’ to Lose” and “Hard Luck Woman,” while guitarist Tommy Thayer (who helps formulate the set list) didn’t miss a note on the 6-string acoustic.
Hearing “Love Theme from KISS” for the first time ever anywhere was a real treat being a longtime KISS fan. The boys also played “Hide Your Heart,” which in my opinion is one of the best written songs by Paul Stanley. It was a nice addition to the set. It was funny that the band didn’t really know “Creatures of the Night” but gave it a shot after numerous fans were requesting it. Other highlights included “Let Me Know,” which hasn’t been played in many years, and “Love Her All I Can.”
Throughout the entire show, you will never see KISS in a more relaxed atmosphere. With many talks about the band possibly getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, “Will or won’t they play with the original members?” keeps getting rehashed in many music circles. Well, I must say this band has great comradery and it shows on and off the stage. You cannot deny that, and the fans that keep coming out to these Kruises are proof of it!
Setlist:
Comin’ Home
Christine Sixteen
Hide Your Heart
Nothin’ to Lose
Got to Choose
Cold Gin
Goin’ Blind
Hotter Than Hell
Take Me
Love Her All I Can
Parasite
Rock Bottom
Hard Luck Woman
All the Way
C’Mon and Love Me
Love Theme from KISS
Creatures of the Night (short version)
Let Me Know
Every Time I Look at You
We would like to thank Benjamin Ferguson and Anthony Diaz of Sixthman for the credentials to review the show.
