Gene at Donington '96
On August 17th, after 10 hours of standing around, I finally got to see KISS live at Donington '96. Unfortunately Bruce and Eric weren't there, but I guess we can't have it all our own way. This page contains a few reviews of Donington from several different fans.
Paul and Ace at Donington '96
Hello everyone So this unique Monsters Of Rock event in Donington has passed by last saturday, and I was one of the happy persons to be in the front rows. Let me give you a short review of it. After a long day of waiting KISS appeared finally at about 21:20, after 10m sized KISS dolls grew up at the right side of the stage and a few big fires in the back have been lighted. They were late, it seemed that there had been stage problems. Smoking machine and keyboards were on the wrong side short before the show started! The stage looked modern styled, the logo was kind of a mixture between the 76 and 78 logo. Below the logo they have installed a big video screen, filling half the stage. They started with Deuce. The sound was very clear although it was loud, really loud like we all need it and love it. King of the night time world followed. Paul seemed to be nervous, wasnt even able to sing the first phrase but the crowd helped him out of this and sang it all. But then he sounded great, too. It all seemed to pass by extremely fast, although they played the songs almost in original speed (not like they did in 84 or 88). So they played Do You Love Me, Let Me Go Rock And Roll, Shout It Out Loud, Love Gun, Firehouse (with usual Gene's fire breathing), God Of Thunder with Gene spitting blood & flying on the top of the 20m high stage, Shock Me with Ace's smoking guitar solo, 100'000 Years with Peter's drum solo, which sounded different to any drum solo I've heard of Peter, but interesting too, although it was slower than earlier. Watching You, Calling Dr. Love, Strutter were other smashers, and Ace sang the part 2 of Cold Gin. As there were press people photographing around for the first few songs, one man did not leave the press stage and shot pictures for two more songs. Paul was very angry about that and signed him different times to leave the stage. I did not like Ace's playing. It was not always correct, sometimes too slow or he even missed some notes. Peter did his job straight, tight and steady. Paul was nervous but did a real great guitar playing and singing. Gene was happy like always and did his show with professionality. After Black Diamond and 1 hour and 30 minutes the show was already over. They just appeared for Detroit Rock City and Rock And Roll All Nite with the raising bottoms where KISS moved 2m above the crowd. And that's it. A great show, steady, tough, but much too short! A 7 minute firework followed, but KISS did not appear again. They didn't even play Beth, I Stole Your Love, Nothing To Lose, Hotter Than Hell, Cmon And Love Me or Makin' Love. I was a little bit disappointed as I came from Switzerland to see them in Donington. There was something missing and I dont know what. The usual kick that grows up during a show between the kids and the masters didnt exist. Was it because of the fans that didnt all come to see KISS but some of the other 12 new bands? Or was it because they learned about the decision of Bruce and Eric to leave KISS? Anyway, we loveem in good or bad times and as long as there is KISS we keep alive! And, KISSers: So take care of you and KEEP KISSIN JJ
Drop me (Paul Finn) an e-mail.