KISS: The Final Show Experience
I was only six or seven years old when I was introduced to the face painted rock stars, KISS. I still remember the first song I ever heard, sitting in the car with my father on a hot summer day in July. My father shuffled through the CD’s he had in the car, and found one with these scary looking guys on it.
“Who are those guys Dad?” I asked.
“KISS,” he responded.
I had no clue who they even were, but little did I know my musical life would change forever in that moment. My dad slid the KISS: Alive! CD into the player, and skipped a few songs until we got to “Rock And Roll All Nite”. I will never forget hearing that song for the first time, and it was always one of my favorites.
Never would I have thought that years later, my father and I would be in attendance for the band’s final show of all-time at Madison Square Garden on December 2, 2023. But when we bought our tickets just three hours before showtime, I felt all the excitement I had felt when I had heard them for the first time back on that summer day.
We took the subway to the Garden – as we were already in the city – and arrived just in time for the doors opening. We got on line and got in no problem, and headed towards our seats in the 200’s.
For me, it was my second time seeing KISS, and for my Dad, it was his third. We saw them on the same “End of The Road Tour” at the Prudential Center in 2019 and my Dad got to see the original band back on the “Psycho Circus” tour of ‘98.
The scheduled time for the show to start was 7:30, but everyone and their mother knew that the band would keep us waiting in excitement for a while in order to make their entrance all the more iconic.
The opening band was Amber Wild, who was led by Evan Stanley, son of KISS lead singer Paul Stanley. After a very solid performance by Amber Wild, the crowd was ready.
They had a crew of people who were hosting the livestream of the show, and interviewing people in the crowd. It was pretty cool to see all of the die hard KISS fans ready to see the final show they would ever see from their favorite band.
Then, when the clock struck the time of 8:45 p.m., Madison Square Garden ascended to a new level of Rock n’ Roll greatness. The lights went dark, and Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll” blared through the speakers. All fans know what that song means. KISS is here.
The announcer came on for the last time announcing: “The Hottest band in The World… KISS!!!!!”
The light up wristbands, which were given out to each guest and synced to the beat of each song, lit up as the opening chords of “Detroit Rock City ” shattered through the big black KISS curtain covering the stage. Down came the curtain and out came Gene, Paul, Tommy and Eric, ready for the final show in the legendary band’s 50-year run.
They played so many great songs in the night, and the setlist can be found here. With fireworks blazing across the stage, and the old hits being played, all those inside the World’s Most Famous Arena knew they were witnessing history.
The show left all in attendance in awe of the final performance we would ever see of KISS. The livestream of the show did the band no justice, being there was simply different. As always, they finished with “Rock And Roll All Nite” and it was very symbolic for me.
My KISS journey started and ended with the same song.
Were they lip synching? Probably. Backing tracks? Most likely. But that does not matter. This show was special because of the significance it had on the music world.
KISS has always represented those who are different from society because they were very different when they first started. They have reached across generations and inspired many with their catchy songs and iconic looks.
Leaving Madison Square Garden, I couldn’t help but shed a tear on a part of my life that is now over. I am a senior in high school and will be starting a new chapter in my life, but I feel that another new one was started with KISS now not performing live anymore. This year is filled with goodbyes with being a senior, but this was a goodbye I was not expecting to say just yet.
When I was younger, the only concert I ever wanted to go to was KISS because I thought they looked very cool and I liked one or two songs. Now having witnessed their final show, it’s safe to say that it was the greatest concert I got to see on multiple levels.
On the train ride home, I looked at myself in the train window, and saw that young kid who heard KISS with his Dad for the first time years ago. That was the moment I realized I witnessed the best concert I have even been to. Besides the sheer emotion of the performance and the show itself, it was the best because I got to see it with my Dad, who has been with me since the beginning.
For the memories, legendary songs, iconic outfits and fantastic times…
Thank you KISS.
