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KISS Rocks Detroit On Stage And On The Little Caesars Concourse

Well, I got more than I bargained for when I got to my broadcast location on Friday afternoon. As I walked in, I looked to the left and saw a…

KISS

KISS rocked Detroit one last time Friday at the LCA.

Alec Robinson

Well, I got more than I bargained for when I got to my broadcast location on Friday afternoon. As I walked in, I looked to the left and saw a stage being built on the concourse. I wasn't sure what was going on, but I found out soon enough. Normally, the KISS V.I.P. experience thing happens on the actual stage. The problem Friday was that the crew got in late, and that stage takes a major effort to complete. The stage was still being built, so they decided to put the V.I.P. show on the concourse.

Lucky me! About 300-400 fans filled in the area in front of the stage. Just after 5 p.m., KISS was on that stage! Gene, Paul, Tommy, and Eric. They went through five songs for the fans in attendance. Opening with the classic "Plaster Caster" then going into "Hotter Than Hell", followed by "Shock Me", "Parasite" and wrapping it up with "She". Really cool!

After that finished, we waited for the doors to open, only to be pushed back because the stage and floor were still not ready. Paul Stanely's son's band was supposed to go on at 7:30 but was pushed back to almost 8.

KISS went on around 9 p.m., and it was AWESOME! Opening with "Detroit Rock City" and blasting through hit after hit spanning their whole legendary career. All the eras were hit on, and all the usual KISS Staples were also. Paul flying to the back of the arena. Gene singing "God Of Thunder" about 5o feet above the stage as blood dripped from his mouth. On and on. It was your tyipcal KISS show, but is any KISS show really typical? No. It's a bombastic, loud, fire-filled, spectacle that is hard to top.

Check out some pictures from the concourse show and the concert below, that RIFF photog, Alec Robinson took.

-Meltdown

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KISS plays the LCA on October 20, 2023


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Tommy Thayer of KISS soloing during the VIP performance on the LCA concourse.


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This is what it looked like from behind. About 300 KISS fans packed in to see the VIP performance.


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Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley performing for the VIP KISS fans before the show on October 20, 2023.


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Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley as KISS played 5 songs on the LCA concourse for the VIP fans.


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Gene Simmons tossing guitar pics into the VIP crowd.


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Even Full House's Dave Coulier was on hand to see KISS at the LCA in Detroit Rock City!


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KISS opened up with Detroit Rock City on their stop at the LCA.


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Gene Simmons, Tommy Thayer and Paul Stanley from KISS.


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A packed crowd witnessed what could be the final KISS show in Detroit.


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Gene Simmons on stage at the LCA in Detroit Rock City! As Gene once told me "Detroit welcomed us with open arms, and with open legs I might add"


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As with any KISS show, fire is a must!


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Paul Stanley of KISS on stage at the LCA in Detroit.


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Paul Stanley of KISS giving the WRIF photog, Alec and great shot!


KISS

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Gene Simmons and his iconic tongue. Tough to find someone who epitomizes the word "rockstar" more than Gene Simmons.

Tough to find someone who epitomizes the word "rockstar" more than Gene Simmons.


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Gene Simmons on stage at the LCA in Detroit Rock City! As Gene once told me "Detroit welcomed us with open arms, and with open legs I might add"


KISS Little Caesars Arena

KISS-10.20.23-LCA-04.jpgAlec Robinson

Wow! What an amazing photo. I can't wrap my head around it. The whole night can be summed up in this one picture. Thank you, KISS!

It's hard to top a KISS show....especially in Detroit Rock City!


KISS

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Tommy Thayer of KISS on the LCA stage. That guitar was sounding loud and crisp. Excellent show.


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Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley rock LCA. KISS performed in Detroit as a part of their End Of The Road Tour. Were you there? Legendary stuff.

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley - Legends!


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Gene really loves his bass! LOL


Tommy Thayer KISS

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Tommy Thayer of KISS gets the crowd going at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Safe to say we rock and rolled all night. Awesome show.

Tommy Thayer of KISS in Detroit Rock City!


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Paul Stanley of KISS on stage at the LCA in Detroit.

MeltdownEditor
Meltdown started on the mighty WRIF on the evening of Halloween, 1995. Technically, his first on-air shift was the morning of November 1st. Moving to the Motor City from Buffalo, N.Y., he has built a career and family. Over his almost three-decade stint at RIFF, he's had the privilege to work with some of the biggest personalities in Detroit radio history. He boasts of being just the second-afternoon drive jock in the station's illustrious 53-year history. Along with his love for rock music and attending concerts, he's also an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast and hockey player. He plays year-round and manages to squeeze in a few charity games throughout the year. Meltdown writes about the Detroit Red Wings, rock music, and Detroit concert venues.