Introduction

Simply put one of the best Kiss concerts on video.

Background

This show was the second last show of the Rock and Roll Over tour. The tour lasted 70 shows and 10 of these shows took place in Japan. The band wears the Rock and Roll Over outfits but they use the Love Gun stage. This is the first time on video that we get to see the Love Gun stage. This concert is the second of two shows that the band played on April 2/1977. Paul makes a cryptic reference to this during this show when he says “ this is good day for rock and roll ’’. This show is recorded and shown on HBO in 1978.

Video Specifics

This is the second of two pro-shot videos from the Rock and Roll Over tour. The other is a show from New York City on February 18/1977.

The audio and video are nearly flawless and the camera work is top-notch. In-between songs, the tapers did not have distracting photos or other annoyances to fill the “ dead-air ’’. The video from San Francisco 1975 cuts to the candelabra in-between songs and the Houston 1977 video shows a still photo from the previous song. This show has none of those things and because of it, the flow of the show is greatly improved.

The Show

Detroit Rock City- the band races down the stairs instead of being lowered down by the platforms as was custom during the entrance on the Love Gun tour. Naturally, Ace is the last one to make it down the stairs. This version is filled with energy and is one of the better versions ever recorded on video. At the end of the song, Paul changes the lyric from “ I gotta laugh cause I know I’m gonna die, Why ? ’’ to “ I gotta laugh cause I gonna die & I don’t care ’’.

Take Me- the version is played a little more up-tempo than the album in large part due to Peter’s sped up playing. The backing vocals seem a little high at the beginning of the song but it is a minor point. Before the next song, Paul asks the crowd if they are “ Alright ’’. He asks them again before Firehouse and Cold Gin.

Let Me Go Rock and Roll- a ‘70s setlist staple. This version is played more straight-ahead than the previous versions because the band excludes the bass solo.

Ladies Room- this song was never really that strong to begin with and this version is merely pedestrian. Probably the weakest song of the show.

Firehouse- no surprises here. Paul puts on a red fire hat at the beginning then quickly throws it off once the song starts. Heaven forbid his hair get messed up ! The typical sirens and fire end the song. Gene blows one fireball, in case you keep track of such things.

Makin’ Love- a great version. Good vocals by Paul and solid work by Ace help make this version much better than the studio version.

I Want You- is it just me or does Paul’s makeup appear to be coming off around the right side of his face ? I prefer the Revenge era version of this song with the audience participation. During the song, the camera cuts to a few shots of the crowd. It is interesting to note that the crowd is sitting down during the show not standing up. The song ends with Paul doing his normal vocal flexing similar to the Alive II version

Cold Gin- this version starts with the generic Paul rap about alcohol then the song starts with no toggle intro. by Ace. The song ends with Ace’s solo complete with smoke.

Do You Love Me ?- Paul screws up a few of the lyrics but one might miss the mistakes if not paying attention. While played well, it as not as crisp as the New York City version from February of 1977 that can be found on the Kiss My Ass home video.

Nothin’ To Lose- the best version of this song ever captured by the band. The song has a call-and-response feel to it with Paul and Ace singing backing vocals to Gene’s lead. The best song of the show !

God of Thunder- Gene starts off with his blood spitting routine which seems a little rushed. Unlike the Detroit 1976 video (as seen in the numerous official videos) where he prolongs it this version is not as “ evil ’’ as it should have been. I don’t think a truly bad version of this song exists and this version is very well played. Peter’s drum solo is highlighted in the middle of the song, which is better than most Peter solo’s I have seen or heard. The song ends with fire shooting up from columns at both sides of the stage.

Rock and Roll All Nite- not much to say about this song except that it is played faster and a little sloppier than usual complete with the required amount of pyro and confetti. In the middle of the song, the camera cuts to a crowd shot of two Japanese women wearing Paul and Ace makeup.

Shout It Out Loud- the band seem to be in great spirits especially Paul and Peter who are smiling at the beginning of the song. Also, throughout the song the camera cuts to a few crowd shots which is nice to see an enthusiastic Japanese audience enjoying themselves. A good version that comes across better on video than it would strictly on an audio.

Beth- Three songs that were used on Alive II were recorded in Japan during this tour. Makin’ Love, I Want You and Beth. This version of Beth seems extremely similar to the version on Alive II. However, since there is little to differentiate one version of this song from the other, I’ll let the reader be the judge.

Black Diamond- the members come down the stairs carrying big white balloons that get thrown into the crowd (Ace is last down the stairs, again). Peter’s vocals seem a little low which distracts from an otherwise solid version of this classic. The song ends with the levitating drum kit and the usual amount of pyro.

Overall

Other shows may have more pyro or better setlists but this concert perfectly showcases a great live band. This show is a favourite of mine and should be amongst the one or the two first purchases for anyone starting a video collection. Overall, a 9.5 out of 10.