Introduction

Regarded by most collectors as the best show currently on video and for good reason.

Background

This show was the 30th show of the approximately 32-date Love Gun tour. Also, Gene burnt his hair while attempting the fire-breathing stunt during one of the Los Angeles shows only days earlier. As a result, the left side of his hair is longer then the right side. Numerous songs from this show have appeared in the official home videos over the years. According to Kiss Alive Forever, the amount of pyro was drastically reduced for this show (probably for fire hazard reasons).

Video Specifics

A pro-shot show with mint quality audio and video. In between songs, there are still pictures from the previous song, which I found to be a tad annoying. However, there are two good

slo-mo parts in the show. One is of Gene’s blood spitting and the other is during his fire breathing.

The Show

I Stole Your Love- the band is lowered to the stage with lifts with copious amounts of smoke. The smoke is so thick at the start that it is difficult to see the band members. A high-energy opener.

Take Me- a decent but not great version of this song is highlighted by some good lead work by Ace. Paul’s is wearing a garter on his left thigh. Can someone explain the significance of this ?

Ladies Room- one of the weaker ‘70s tunes by the band is given a decent treatment here.

Firehouse- Paul begins this song by saying “ Is this going to be better then last night ? Is this going to kick ass ? ’’ then starts in with the usual “ we’re going to have to call out… ’’. I’m sure you know how the rest of the sentence goes. The band plays a rather energetic version, highlighted by some nice lead work by Ace. The song ends with Gene blowing 1 fireball. Prior to the next song, a slo-mo replay of Gene’s fire-breathing bit is shown, which looks amazing.

Love Gun- during this song, Ace quickly wipes something from his eye. You have to watch closely since it happens quite quickly. This is the only time I can recall seeing band member touch their face with the makeup on during a show. Also, Paul’s makeup is becoming a little undone as well with his lipstick smudging. A hydraulic platform lifts Paul up and he sings part of the song from this platform. Not the greatest version I’ve ever heard.

Hooligan- this version is seen in the Kiss My Ass home video. Paul plays a double-neck guitar for this song and the next. Peter’s vocals are grating and I can’t help but wonder what illegal substances he consumed prior to the show. You might be tempted to fast-forward through this song.

Makin’ Love- a decent version with the echoes (Makin' love (makin' love), makin' love (makin' love) / Makin' love (makin' love) all night long) during the chorus actually working and sounding rather good.

Christine Sixteen- Gene’s screws up the lyrics to the first verse by saying “ she drives me crazy, she has me in her hands ’’, which is a combination of parts of the first and second verses. Gene gets the vocals back on track and delivers a rather spirited version outside of the early mistake.

I Want You- something about this version leaves me cold. The song ends with the usual vocal flexing by Paul that is heard on the Alive II version.

Shock Me- “ I’m going to turn the mic over to… ’’. A decent vocal outing by Ace. His voice isn’t powerful but it is clear. The song ends with the requisite Ace solo with lots of guitar smoke.

Callin’ Dr. Love- another spirited vocal outing by Gene. His vocals have a distinctive bullfrog tone to them for some odd reason.

Shout It Out Loud- Peter and Paul smile throughout most of this song. Prior to the next song, Gene’s blood spitting is good but not as good as the Detroit ’76 shows. The slo-mo replay is shown on the left side of the screen during the first verse of God of Thunder and is very cool.

God of Thunder- a rather pedestrian version that has Gene biting the dragon’s (the totem located on Gene’s side of the stage) tongue just prior to Peter’s solo. The song ends with fire shooting up in columns at the sides of the stage.

Rock and Roll All Nite- Paul says “ it is good to see everyone on there feet for the rock and roll national anthem ’’. Gene’s vocals are still in bullfrog mode. Paul makes the only effort of the show to stand on the stairs albeit rather briefly. The storm of confetti and Paul smashing his guitar end the song.

Detroit Rock City- a decent version that has Paul attempting to give Gene a “ little tongue ’’ early on in the song, which makes Paul laugh since he can’t compete with Gene.

Beth- a decent job by Peter who throws roses out to the crowd at the end of the song.

Black Diamond- the band descends down the stairs, of course Ace is last and he throws is cuff links to the audience. Paul is wearing a black satin jacket. This version is well played and has more energy then some of the songs in the show. The song and the show end with the drum riser rising, the band on the hydraulic lefts and lots of pyro similar to the gatefold of Alive 11.

Overall

In simple terms, a must have show of a band at their peak. The actual performance was not the sharpest by any means. I think the Tokyo ’77 and Detroit ’76 performances are better musically. However, this show is probably the one show, you’d give a non-fan if they asked about Kiss. Overall, a 9 out of 10.