The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, October 09, 2000, Page 8, Image 8
%U ©amtcock
You wanted the best...You got it
by John Huiett
and Jonathan D iJ n a g i n
The Gamecock
KISS exploded onto the stage amidst tire and
smoke Saturday night at the North Charleston Col
iseum for their last-ever American performance.
This show capped a career that spanned 27 years,
produced 21 gold and platinum albums and thrilled
millions of fans. And if the slogan proclaimed by
KISS on the back of their Farewell Tour T-shirt,
“Legends Never Die,” is any indication of their stay
ing power, they will be recognized by generations
to come.
The four Ieather-and-makeup-clad rock veter
ans descended, as if front the heavens, for their clas
sic show-opener “Detroit Rock City,” and then pro
ceeded to kick up their seven-inch heels for.a two
hour and 15 minute set.
They stormed through song after song from their
extensive repertoire including “Deuce,” “Lick it
Up” and “Shock Me.”
While critics and sour-faced rock elitists have
historically panned KISS, their fans have re
iuaiiieu luym anu biuauiabi.
This fact was not ignored by the band’s ring
leader, vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Paui Stanley,
who chose to make it the theme of tltfc evening.
“In 1996, when we were going to do the reunion
tour, they said it would never work,” Stanley shout
ed. “Well, Charleston, you proved them wrong!”
Stanley, 50 years old but not looking a day over
25, paid homage to the fans between every song,
while the words “We love you” flashed on giant
video screens on either side of the mammoth stage.
But when the band wasn’t expressing gratitude
for fans’ support, they were grinding out raucous
rock anthems set to an amazing stage show.
In fact, the show itself was more impressive than
the band’s musical ability.
Dressed in steel and spikes, bassist/vocalist Gene
Simmons breathed fire during a siren-capped “Fire
house” and vomited blood before being flown to a
lighting truss above the audience to growl through
“God of Thunder.”
Additionally, lead guitarist Ace Frehley’s guitar
started smoking and was flown above the stage. Lat
er, he shot lasers from the headstock of his sparkling
guitar, exploding portions of the overhead lights.
Drummer Peter Criss, with a single black tear
added to his Catman makeup to convey sadness that
this tour would be the band’s last, served as the
snow s tpundation.
He never missed a beat as he wore a wide grin
throughout the setTand he displayed a gripping abil
ity for vocals during his performance of “Beth.”
Despite the highlights from other band mem
bers, the night belonged to Stanley, whose power
ful pipes belted out song after song, waling through
high notes with rich vibrato as his body slithered
and humped across the stage like a cross between
a cobra and a Vegas stripper.
He took to the air during “Love Gun,” flying
out' to a smaller stage in the midst of the crowd
where he entertained and excited fans into a fren
zy.
Unfortunately, the show wasn’t free of disap
pointments. While Frehley began the set playing
with precision, his performance disintegrated its the
show progressed.
He missed cues, played sloppy guitar solos and
was wobbling on his platform boots and shouting
gibberish into the microphone by the end of the
show.
The explanation for this c;une from Stanley, who
pointed to Frehley near the end of the show, and
said simply, “So drunk.”
But sloppy guitar playing did nothing to detract
from the overall performance and meaning behind
«
Special to The Gamecock
Rock ‘n’ roll legend KISS performed its final American concert on Saturday at the North
Charleston Coliseum.
Mia s last snow. 1 ne atmospnere it prouuceu was
felt throughout the crowd and alluded to several
times by Stanley as “the spirit of rock and roll.”
This spirit took hold of the band, who, near the
end of their set, began toying with the audience by
launching into a hilarious set of aborted song efforts.
Included among these were attempts at “Wild
Thing,” “Secret Agent Man,” the James Bond theme
and even a few of KISS’s own tunes, while Stanley
pleaded for help from the audience. Simmons, Frehley
and Criss even treated the crowd to a few square
dance steps as they let down their guard and do-si
doed between their final few songs.
As the show was wrapping up, many in the crowd
begged to hear the song that had become KISS’s
trademark.
With a sly grin, Stanley led the band into their
final American performance of “Rock and Roll All
Night,” which ended with both Stanley’s guitar and
Criss’s drum kit in pieces.
However, the band’s reputation as one of the
most exiting and powerful live acts in the history
of rock ‘n’ roll remained well intact.
The spotlight desk am he reached at
gamecockspotlight@hotniail.com.
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Movie Times
Camlike Wynnsong 10
5320 Forest Drive, 782-8100
Autumn in New York (PG-13) 2:00,
7:30
Bring It On (PG-13) 2:00,4:30,7:15,
9:30
The Cell (R) 2:00,4:30,7:00, 9:15
Get Carter (R) 2:00,4:30, 7:00, 9:15
God’s Army (PG)4:30,9:30
Hollow Man (R) 1:00,4:00,7:00,9:30
Nurse Betty (R) 2:00,4:30,7:00,9:15
Scary Movie (R) 1:30,4:15,7:00,9:15
Space Cowboys (PG-13) 1:00,4:15,
7:00,9:30
The Watcher (R) 1:30,4:00,7:00,9:15
What Lies Beneath (PG-13) 1:30,4:00,
7:30,10:15
Columbia Mall Cinema 8
7201/802 Two Notch Road, 788
7664
The Art of War (R) 2:15, 4:50, 7:15,
9:50
Backstage (R) 9:40
Rut (R) 2:10,4:40,7:10,9:45
Bring It On (PG-13) 2:30,5:20,7:40,
10:00
Nutty Professor 2 (PG-13) 2:40,5:10,
7:30
The Original Kings of Comedy (R) 2:00,
4:30, 7:00,9:30
Turn It Up (R) 3:00, 5:00, 7:20, 9:20
Urban Legends 2 (R) 2:50, 5:30,
7:50, 10:10
The Watcher (R) 2:25,4:45,7:05,9:25
Columbiana Grande
Stadium Cinemas
1250 Bower Parkway, 407-9898
Almost Famous (R) 1:30,2:15,4:40,
7:15,9:50,10:00
Bless the Child (R) 1:45,4:20, 7:20,
9:40
Bring It On (PG-13) 1:15,3:20,5:30,
7:45, 10:00
The Cell (R) 1:45, 4:25, 7:10, 9:50
Coyote Ugly (PG-13) 1:15,3:30,5:45,
7:55, 10:05
Digimon (PG) 1:20,3:15,5:10, 7:10,
9:00
Duets (R) 2:15,5:05, 7:20,9:45
Highlander: Endgame (R) 1:15, 3:30,
5:30,7:30,9:35
Hollow Man (R) 1:25,4:15,7:15,9:50
Nurse Betty (R) 2:00,4:30,7:05,9:30
Saving Grace (R) 2:00,4:30,7:15,9:30
Space Cowboys (PG-13) 1:20, 3:50,
6:45,9:20
The Watcher (R) 1:45,4:00,7:30,9:45
Dutch Square 14
800 Bush Rivfer Road, 750-3576
Almost Famous (R) 1:40,4:10, 7:00,
9:30
Bait (R) 1:50,4:45, 7:15,9:45
Bring It On (PG-13) 2:10,4:30,7:40,
9:50
The Cell (R) 1:40,4:10, 7:40, 10:00
Digimon Digital (PG) 2:00,4:10,7:10,
9:15
Get Carter (R) 2:10,4:30,7:30,10:00,
Meet the Parents (PG-13) 1:50,4:30,
7:20.9:45,
The Original Kings of Comedy (R) 2:00,
4:40,7:20,10:00
Remember the Titans (PG) 1:30,4:00,
7:00,9:30
Scary Movie (R) 2:30,5:00,8:00,10:10
Space Cowboys (PG-13) 1:30, 4:20,
7:10,9:50
Urban Legends 2 (R) 2:00, 4:20, |
7:50,10:00
Tire Watcher (R) 2:20,4:40,7:30,9:45
What Lies Beneath (PG-13) 1:30,4:15, i
7:00,9:40
Nickelodeon
Main at Pendleton, 254-3433
The Color of Paradise 7:00, 9:00
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Check these out...All Week!
“These Hands Don't Hurt”
Interactive display supporting efforts to end domestic violence
Monday - Friday, I tarn - 1:30pm, Greene Street
Sponsored by Sexual Health and Violence Prevention
Voice Your Opinion! Message Boards
Student opinions on current campus issues
Monday - Thursday: Ham - 5pm, Russell House, 2ni Floor Lobby
Sponsored by University Housing & Residence Education
Creed Week Film Scries
Monday - Thursday: Check your WRHA listings!
“The Insider" and "City Hall" , (;
Sponsored hv University Housing A RHA
'
Clothing Drive
Donate clothing for the Salvation Army
Monday-Friday, boxes in Residence Hall lobbies
Sponsored hv Alpha Phi Omega
1
Banner C ontest in Kesiaence nail lobbies
Sponsored by National Residence Hall Honorary
'_
- - -
Tuesday
•“Decorate Halls for the Fall” - Community Service Project for Christopher Towers Retirement Facility
6 - 8pm, Blue Room, Russell House, next to Golden Spur
Sponsored bv Omega Phi Alpha ' 'rif
T, 11
•“The Birdcage, Gamecock Style”
8pm, Russell House Ballroom
Sponsored by Carolina Productions and the Bisexual Gay Lesbian Alliance
•Community Media Literacy Series: “Killing Us Softly 111” - Advertising’s Image of Women
7:00pm and 9:00pm: Panel discussion following the 7:00pm show Nickelodeon Theatre
(corner of Pendleton and Sumter Streets)
Admission is free but a $5 donation is appreciated!
An ongoing community series organized by the Columbia Film Society, made possible by funds from
The Nord Family Foundation, South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support lrom the
National Endowment for the Arts, and the Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties.
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■MH >!>'iUi]lit1 iV1!ji ^.;^ ^f ;■ ^ i■.
Thursday
•Coffee House: Discussing our Differences by Sharing Our Common Experiences
6 - 7pm, Towers (Moore/Snowden) ...
Sponsored by the University Housing Diversity Team j Wjn Q free junch ^ t^e |
| Faculty House if you’re]
Sponsored by Omicron Delta Kappa j One 01 three Students
----1 spotted wearing your U
p |. » . , n Saturday I Creed Week Ribbon! |
•Rally Against Domestic Violence
8:30 - 11 ant y meet in Finlay Park and march to State House grounds [.j
Sponsored by Sexual Health and Violence Prevention and Sistercare
1 —■- ■ ■ ——— - —-- -^ i
|p Carolinian Creed Week is sponsored hv the Carolina Student Judicial Council.
\\i University Housing and the Office of Student Judicial Programs. For more information,
please contact the Office of Student Judicial Programs.