This was my 3rd concert ever.

And my second time seeing my favorite band ever:  KISS!!

Ted Nugent and the newly reformed Skid Row opened.

Skid Row opened with a solid set.  The band included original members Dave “Snake” Sabo on Guitar, Rachel Bolan on Bass, and Scotti Hill on Guitar, along with new singer Johnny Solinger (he sadly passed away in 2021) and drummer Charlie Mills, at the time.

It was a shame they could not reunite with Singer Sebastian Bach and Drummer Rob Affuso, but they were still great.

They’re still going strong in 2023, as I type this, with a different singer, Erik Gronwall, and Drummer Rob Hammersmith.

Then Uncle Ted himself came on after them.

Ted is controversial to a lot of people because he is very outspoken, but musically, he’s always delivered, in my opinion.

His band included himself on Lead Vocals and Guitar, Marco Mendoza on Bass and occasional Lead Vocals, and Drummer extraordinaire Tommy Aldridge!!

This was my 1st time seeing Ted (I’ve seen him 3 times as of 2023.) and he rocked!!

Then my favorite band played:  KISS!!!

This was what was billed as “The Farewell Tour”, or as I now call it The Farewell Tour of the Original Lineup.  Which is what it was.

Singer/Bassist Gene Simmons and Singer/Guitarist Paul Stanley have never left the band, but this was the last tour both Drummer Peter Criss and Guitarist Ace Frehley were on together. 

Peter would leave or was fired in 2001 while Ace stuck around until 2002, then Peter returned in 2003, and was gone again by 2004.

Since then, the lineup has been the same (Gene and Paul, along with Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer).

Oh and I’m glad they never stopped (although they are now “supposed” to stop at the end of 2023).

But anyway, back to 2000.

This was and always will be a very special show for me.  This is because I got to see the original lineup of KISS (I first saw them in 1998.), and I got to see Ted and Skid Row.

Also, this was the night before I was to sing in the talent show of my junior year of high school.

So, this show was inspirational and motivational for me.  I took that inspiration/motivation into the talent show(s) the next few days.

Anyway, KISS were awesome as always.  I have soooooo many favorite bands, and luckily have seen a lot of them, but they are the one band that always makes me feel 16 again (I’m 41 as I type this). 

I don’t know what it is because I definitely don’t agree with everything they say and do.  However, musically and in concert, they’re always my favorite and always will be. 

I love all albums and all lineups.

I will  love them to my grave.

Thank you guys for everything. 

I love you all!!