On December 1, I attended my first live event at Madison Square Garden and my final KISS concert. I enjoyed six shows on KISS’ End of the Road Tour, and being part of the band’s final shows in its birthplace, New York City, was the icing on the cake. Read on for my thoughts on this momentous milestone, and enjoy the many videos and photos.
I didn’t start attending KISS concerts until 2003, yet I’ve had the good fortune to see the band live more than 20 times over the past 20 years, including three KISS Kruises. I’ve interviewed all current band members, including Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons multiple times. I’ve also interviewed Ace Frehley more than once, Bruce Kulick, and many other vital figures in KISStory. I’ve received photo passes and all-access backstage passes for multiple tours, and the band has always treated me exceptionally well.
I never thought I’d attend one of KISS’ final concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York City because I figured getting a ticket would be impossible. I participated in the KISS Army fan club presale and was lucky enough to get an excellent seat for night one of the band’s two-night stand at Madison Square Garden for $90 (including taxes and fees). While at the show, I learned that fans sitting beside me paid $300 for their tickets. To say I was lucky is the understatement of the century. Right time, right place, I guess.
I changed my Amtrak train to New York to an earlier time once I heard that Andy Moyen was doing a walking tour of famous KISS landmarks in New York at 9 a.m. After dropping off my luggage at my hotel, I went to Madison Square Garden. I ran into Julian Gill, a friend whom I’ve had the distinct pleasure of co-hosting the KISS FAQ Podcast with numerous times but never met because he lives in San Francisco. It was a delight to finally meet Julian and speak with him face-to-face.
Andy’s walking tour was a fun time. It went on all morning into the afternoon, and I hung out with everyone for several hours before getting in line for the KISS pop-up store. On this tour, Andy provided us with information about places where Ace and Peter bought equipment to play their instruments on the first album, venues where KISS performed live, and more.
Fans from around the world were with us for this walking tour, and a few of them knew who I was because they had read my interviews with the band. One guy from Sweden said to me, “You’re that interview guy, right?” I laughed and said, “Yes, I am!” He said he enjoyed my interviews with Paul, Gene, Eric, and Tommy, and I thanked him for his kind words. Moments like this are precisely why the KISS Kruise was so much fun: fans coming together from around the world over something we all love: KISS. In a world where most people are divided, music can always bring us together.
I waited in line for two hours to get into the KISS pop-up store, which was part museum and part store. While in line, I had a great conversation with a couple behind me: Casey and Molly. I learned that this was Molly’s first time seeing KISS and that she’s a musician. We bonded through the cold and the rain, making the most of our time together. Behind them was Mike Nixon, a friend from the United Kingdom I met on one of the KISS Kruises. When he spotted me, he introduced himself, and we chatted briefly.
When I finally got inside the KISS pop-up store, I was blown away. It was worth the wait! Seeing the band’s boots, instruments, and costumes up close was fantastic. KISS music was blasting throughout the venue as members of the KISS Army filed in and out with big smiles on their faces.
They had one of those 360-degree ring light podiums you stand on, with your phone spinning around you. I got up there and did it because I was up for a fun new experience. I felt a bit like a fool while doing it, but I made the most of the moment.
After doing my 360 video, I got in line to head downstairs, where the merchandise was located. On the way, the walls were lined with KISS posters, building the anticipation for what was in the basement ahead.
Once I got down to the basement, I was presented with a small room jam-packed with KISS fans and KISS merchandise. The KISS scarf I wanted was sold out. However, I quickly ran into several friends while I was there, including Matt Porter, Eric Alberty, Julie Wessner Ullman, and Bobby Dreher. We hung out, talked, took photos, and had a blast spending time with one another. It was like an impromptu KISS party at the KISS pop-up store. Knowing I needed to squeeze in a nap before that evening’s concert, I left and returned to the hotel.
Before going to the hotel, I walked down to the subway station Julie told me she went to and picked up a KISS MetroCard. Then I hit up Wendy’s for a Baconater on a pretzel bun and took a nap at my hotel. After waking up, I called my wife and son, showered, and dressed for the KISS concert. When I left the hotel, it was pouring rain, so I popped up the hood on my winter coat and stepped out onto the streets of New York.
Madison Square Garden is the strangest arena I’ve ever been to. I had to go up six stories to reach the venue’s ground level because Penn Station is underneath it. My seat was on the 300 level on the sky bridge, which made for a great view and a comfortable open space. My seat was on wheels in front of a glass countertop, with USB ports and a place to charge my phone. Had I known it would be such a unique space, I would have brought my charger.
In short order, I ran into members of my KISS family I hadn’t seen in years or never met before, including Steve Wright, Steve Zall, Gil Garcia, Les and Dana Hiatt, Grace Terrell, Amy Wolfson, and my buddy Jason. I even became fast friends with the guys next to me who let me get a photo with the KISS Prince Street Pizza box they picked up earlier that day.
At each of our seats were these bracelets. During the show, they lit up at different times (and in different colors) to create a festive atmosphere.
KISS played its standard set for this tour, including staples like “Detroit Rock City” and “Deuce.” The song that made me a fan, “Shout It Out Loud,” was also featured.
I went into this concert not expecting any surprises. I was simply looking to experience KISS in all its glory one last time, and that’s exactly what I got.
There were a couple of unexpected songs: “Heaven’s On Fire” and “Makin’ Love.” It was nice to see the band dust off a couple of KISS classics for their final farewell.
Having a bird’s-eye view of Paul sailing across the crowd to his stage to sing a few songs was pretty cool. On this tour, I’ve seen that from many angles, including being right in front of Paul’s stage. Taking it all in from up above made for a unique experience.
During this show, I held nothing back. I was standing 99% of the time and dancing and singing along like it was my first KISS concert. At one point, I did a 1980s Paul Stanley music video jump, where I kicked my legs out sideways. It was my last time with my favorite band, so I made the most of it and had an absolute joy doing so.
The only time I got choked up during the concert was when the droning sound hit at the beginning, and the monitors showed KISS walking from the dressing room to the stage. At that moment, I realized I was seeing KISS for the last time.
After the concert, I grabbed a late dinner with my friend Peter Vassallo. We reminisced about the show and our fandom, and then I went back to my hotel to crash after a jam-packed day.
The following day, I put on the new KISS varsity jacket I was fortunate to have, packed up the KISS New York Post I snagged the day before and checked out of the hotel after having some breakfast. On my way to the train station, I reflected on my time as a KISS fan and the closure I received by attending the band’s Madison Square Garden concert on December 1. I’m one of the lucky ones for various reasons, and I’m grateful for everything I’ve received and experienced over the past 20 years.
I watched the December 2 KISS concert from home on PPV, and I enjoyed it. However, it didn’t have the same energy as the first night, and the avatar announcement resulted in the band going out with a whimper instead of a bang. Even Paul Stanley said that the first show was the best one, so I’m glad I was there for it.
One week later, on December 8, I went to The KISS Room with my buddies Matt and Bobby to talk about our experiences in New York City seeing KISS for the final time. Make sure to listen to the full episode below. It was a lot of fun!
I became a KISS fan when I saw them perform at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1996 under the Brooklyn Bridge. I was too young to see the original lineup live, but I made up for that over the past 20 years. The tours, interviews, kruises, music, friends, and more I’ve experienced along the way will stay with me for a lifetime. Thank you, KISS, for all of this and more.
I look forward to what’s next for each band member as they pursue solo endeavors, and I’ll be there to cheer them on. KISS may be over, but the band’s music lives on, and so does the KISS Army.
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