So, here comes another tour from KISS speculated to begin in 2019…and since the band has recently trademarked the phrase “The end of the road”, most are figuring this will be the FINAL tour. And Gene Simmons recently came out and hinted that if former band members appeared along such a tour, they would NOT be allowed to appear “in make up”. KISS as THE band I first really got into as a kid in high school. Besides the music, I LOVED the mystery of who was behind that make-up!! I remember seeing those occasional magazine or tabloid pictures that would get snapped of the guys with there faces at least partially covered when they were caught out in public. I know there’s the whole “story” or persona or each member and their “character”, but for me (and I think plenty of others), it was just that mystery of what in the world did these guys really look like without the makeup! As crazy as it may seem, it wasn’t until their “Farewell” tour in 2000 that I finally FIRST got to see them live in concert…with the ORIGINAL line-up of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss…at the Rose Garden (now named the “Moda Center”) in Portland Oregon, July 24, 2000. It was AMAZING, and add to it the opening act of Ted Nugent, who was just blazing (first time seeing him as well), and it was one concert I’ll never forget! I saw the guys here in Boise as well back in 2016, and while it was exciting, and a good show…they just didn’t quite have that sound like I heard in 2000 (makes since, 16 years later though, right?). So with the prospect of the guys really calling good next year (or even beyond), I have no desire to see them again…why ruin good memories, it’s just kind of the “been there, done that” I guess, and while I’m sure they’ll put on a hell of a show (they always have), I’d rather just sit down and be able to end a live DVD from the real GREAT days of this band! I was going to post a video from that show I saw in Portland, but then I came across this cool piece (watch below)…Ted Nugent as a “reporter” for the very first show of that farewell tour, as it kicked off in Phoenix! He’s even wearing the exact outfit he was also wearing when he hit the stage in Portland. If KISS is set to do a farewell tour, all I have to say is “thanks for the memories” guys…from the REAL great days of one of America’s GREAT iconic rock bands.  ~ Ron