Buzz Magazine

The “Hottest Show on Earth” returned to the Chicago area last weekend at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, with KISS reminding everyone what made them the rock gods that they are. Though the band received strong support from The Envy and The Academy Is, they didn’t need it. Despite the fact that KISS has been rocking the world for over 37 years, Paul Stanley (a.k.a. “The Lover”) and Gene Simmons (a.k.a. “The Demon”) still carried out the showmanship that made them one of the most famous acts in rock and roll history. With newer members Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer taking on the identities of “The Spaceman” and “The Cat”, this full-on rock show gave fans the chance to experience KISS as though they were still in their height of popularity – in fact this show may have been bigger.

 

From the opening number, “Modern Day Delilah” off their latest release Sonic Boom, when Simmons, Stanley and Thayer were airlifted over the towering drum set and placed at the front of the stage, it seemed as though the band incorporated something in each song that made the crowd think, “Holy Shit”. Whether a flurry of explosions, giant bursts of fire, or segments of the stage rising to propel a band member, nearly each song was a spectacle in its own unusual way. But not to be overshadowed by the incredible stage effects, was, of course, the music. In a set that lasted two hours and ten minutes, KISS included such songs as “Detroit Rock City”, “Love Gun”, “Calling Dr. Love”, “Firehouse”, “Black Diamond” and “Say Yeah”, also from their latest album.

 

KISS pulled out all the stops. Tommy Thayer shot fireworks from his guitar ala Ace Frehley and Gene Simmons breathed fire. Not long after, blood oozed from Simmons’ mouth during a haunting bass piece just before he was carried over 50 feet high, above the stage lights, to perform “I Love it Loud”.

 

The band went on with a six-song encore that kicked off with Eric Singer taking on former drummer Peter Criss’ ballad, “Beth”. While Singer stood center stage to sing, the other three members huddled to his right, quietly jamming in the background. KISS followed up with a couple more big hits before “I Was Made for Loving You” in which Paul Stanley glided across the audience on a cable and landed on a small platform with a microphone in order to perform to the people toward the rear of the arena. When Stanley returned to the stage, the band broke into “God Gave Rock ‘n’ Roll to You” as images from vintage KISS were displayed onto the jumbo projection screens. Finally, white confetti shot out from the stage, transforming the arena into a mega snow globe for the duration of the show, as the band jammed out to “Rock and Roll All Night” amidst thunderous explosions and high-flying stage theatrics – including an ascending drum riser.

 

KISS’ live show is not just a concert; it’s an experience – an experience that should be had by all rock and roll fans. Should KISS return anytime soon, make a point to catch this amazing show.      

 

  

ROCK 'N ROLL FANTASY CAMP

The ULTIMATE Backstage Experience

As VIP Packages Saturate the Ailing Concert Industry, Rock 'n Roll Fantasy
Camp Offers the Most Genuine Value at Recession-Busting Rates During Weekend
Warrior Adventures
IN CHICAGO, THE EXCLUSIVE MIDWEST CAMP,

YOUR ONCE-IN-A-LIFE-TIME ROCK STAR EXPERIENCE COMES TO YOU

ALLMAN BROTHERS LEGEND DICKEY BETTS

TO LEAD ROCK STAR COUNSELORS AND LOCAL CAMPERS

Mitch Ryder and Teddy Andreadis (Guns N Roses) added to Chicago!

More special surprise guests to be announced.

It's a true rock 'n roll awakening that only campers attending this fall's
four Weekend Warrior Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camps can truly understand. Simply
put, there is no VIP offer any concert promoter can make anywhere that compares
to the ultimate backstage experience campers get at ROCK 'N ROLL FANTASY
CAMP (RRFC) especially at the Recession-busting rates of the Weekend
Warrior camps.

That's why Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camp is going on tour this fall to just four
U.S. cities, with an exclusive Midwest camp in Chicago (Nov. 19-21 at the House
of Blues). Campers will be traveling across state lines to live out their rock
'n roll fantasies while having the ultimate backstage experience of their
lives with head counselor Dickey Betts (co-founder of the Allman Brothers
Band), along with camp counselors Mark Farner (formerly of Grand Funk
Railroad), Mark Hudson (Aerosmith), Kip Winger (Winger), Rudy Sarzo (Quiet
Riot, Ozzy) and Sandy Gennaro (Joan Jett).

And look who now will be making special guest counselor appearances in Chicago:
Mitch Ryder and Teddy Andreadis (Guns N Roses). With more to be announced!

Rock pundits from Rolling Stone to the New York Times are noting with anguish
this summer that while vast numbers of people are losing their jobs and homes,
the VIP packages once reserved for megastars like U2 and the Rolling Stones are
trickling down to the rank-and-file of live performers to prop up a struggling
industry . As artists desperately try to maximize grosses in an ailing economy,
they're giving you the opportunity to pay even more than the already inflated
ticket prices to feel like you're getting closer to them. But how much more do
you really get?

As the New York Times recently noted, Bon Jovi has been offering an $1875 VIP
package that includes a leather bag, a catered meal and a take-home folding
chair with the band's logo. But where's the genuine band interaction?

By comparison, for $1999, Weekend Warrior campers gain admission to a
three-day camp with over a half-dozen rock star counselors, two lunches, a
ticket to the final night concert opening night cocktail party and dinner, a
swag bag and most of all  learning and playing all weekend long with the rock
star counselors. Pay a little more and you get things like autographed guitars
and drum heads, a DVD of the final concert (with YOU in it), the opportunity to
write and record original songs, take Master Classes, and receive concert
tickets and private meet-and-greets for 10 of your closest friends and family
members. Consider all of your rock 'n roll fantasies truly fulfilled. Chair or
no chair, these three-day camps will change your life!

No top-dollar VIP package being offered by an act on tour this summer even
comes close: Not by the Black Eyed Peas, not even by Justin Bieber. Sure, you
can grab a quick picture with KISS for a $999 concert ticket; but the Eagles
won't even let you snap a single shot. Some rockers will take a quick pic
with VIP's who've stood in a long line waiting for that brief few seconds of
face time. Some will offer a glass of wine. Almost all will guarantee you a
seat in the first 10 rows and a free t-shirt but would you expect a seat any
further away at that price?

ROCK 'N ROLL FANTASY CAMP shows you what a real VIP package looks like, giving
you everything those other packages offer (well, maybe not the take-home
chair), with the true promise of the most genuine rock star interaction you
could imagine. And with your favorite rock legends. YOU and the rock stars are
the concert, and you work together with your rock star counselors to attain
that moment, the grand finale, at a renowned rock concert venue.

ROCK 'N ROLL FANTASY CAMP has never been more accessible, thanks to these new,
Recession-busting Weekend Warrior packages. For that once-in-a-lifetime
experience, a deposit of just $299 will save you, a friend or family member a
limited spot. It's an irresistible combination that affords the opportunity to
embark on a widely acclaimed adventure, as TV viewers around the world will see
this fall when VH1 Classic's weekly hour-long docu-series premieres. Each day
is a new thrilling challenge for the rock campers. Weekend Warrior packages
start at $1999 for this once-in-a-lifetime weekend-long experience.

For more information, please visit: [4]www.rockcamp.com.

About Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camp

Since 1997, Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camp has been giving individuals--regardless
of their musical ability--a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live like a rock
star and jam with their idols. The sessions begin with an opening night party
and include intensive rehearsals with rock star counselors and jams, master
classes and Q&A's with rock legends, recording an original song at historic
studios and conclude with a sold-out, closing night performance at a legendary
club. It's a dream come true for any music fan. Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camp
takes place annually in London at Abbey Road Studios and Los Angeles. Other
camp locations have included New York and Las Vegas. For information, please
call 888.762.2263 x2 or visit [5]www.rockcamp.com.

35 years? Wow. It’s not so hard to believe that KISS has been around since forming in New York City in January of 1973, but what’s so amazing is their ability to still rock as hard as ever. Known for their spectacular live shows, KISS reminded everyone why they’ve always had a larger than life image