Bret's KISS Page

I-Bash KISS

Narrative by: Bret

While at the WCW wrestling event in Las Vegas on 8-23-99 (more to come on that later), I met an employee of Pixelon who told me of an upcoming event featuring KISS- a private concert in Las Vegas. I told others, but few believed me - since Paul was in the Phantom at the time. It was soon announced that KISS indeed would be at a private concert at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, on 10-29-99, and not open to the public. This was very disappointing, but all hope was not lost.

My friend and I decided to go to Las Vegas, meeting some of our other friends there. We flew into Las Vegas on 10-29-99, and checked into the MGM Grand. The clerk behind the desk told us that KISS was definitely not open to the public, and we would not get in. She said if we came for that, she was sorry.
About 1 hour later, I was in an elevator with several men wearing "I-Bash" VIP passes. They were drunk, and did not look like KISS fans. I asked what their pass got them. They said- KISS, the Who, all the food you can eat, etc. I offered $ to buy 2, and he accepted, saying his date never came. I quickly found my other friends, and off we raced to Kinkos. Moments later, we had several laminated VIP passes.

I should also note that we saw KISS loading into a van to make the short trip from the hotel to the theme park, where they were playing (see picture at van). Paul had short hair (which was long a few hours later). Tommy was with them. We asked Gene if they could sign some items, but Gene apologized, saying they were late for the show. Paul said "hi" but they quickly drove off.
We rushed to the theme park at MGM Grand, trying to find the entrance to KISS. At the 1st door we walked into (at the theme park- where KISS was) a security guard said the fire marshal stated the crowd was too large- and no one else to be let in. We ran to the other entrance, and walked right in. We were given a gift bag, which had a Who t-shirt. Our "VIP" passes allowed us into the free buffet/ bar area, where Shannon Tweed and the actor who was the kid on ET were. I was so relieved to be in at this point, after being told hours earlier this was impossible.

We missed Sugar Ray, but saw the KISS stage all set up. Since it wasn't really a KISS crowd, I was able to walk right up to Gene's side. The stage had 1 KISS sign, and odd statues on both sides. KISS soon came out and started their (pre-recorded) performance. They actually played 5 songs- only 4 are on the DVD "Live in Las Vegas." The 5th song was DRC. We were so happy to get in (see smile on my face in picture- just after getting in). I almost immediately caught a guitar pick from Ace on the fly, and soon a 2nd one. Pre-recorded or not, the show was great. At the end, the confetti storm was enormous, and blew mostly back onto the stage. The crowd was having a good time, even the corporate types that just happened to be there. the mini-show soon ended, and we spoke to Shannon a bit as she stood around.

The next morning I saw Gene walking around the hotel, and he signed autographs for whoever asked. I had a couple items signed and I told him I just bought a Punisher. He gave a salesman-type spiel about the great quality of that guitar (I didn't tell him I bought it second-hand). We flew home that morning after a great trip.

WCW KISS Concert

August 23, 1999

Narrative by: Bret

On Monday 8-23-99, KISS was to appear on WCW Monday Nitro, the live weekly wrestling show. This week was set in Las Vegas, and KISS was promoting the appearance of the (1st) Demon wrestler. My friend and KISS traveling buddy JK and I were able to get tickets from a broker that were basically front row for the KISS set-up.

We flew in to Las Vegas in the early afternoon and went straight to the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The event was to start at 4:30 p.m., meaning we could fly there and back in one day (from San Jose). We looked for KISS ahead of time but didn't see them, so we went into the arena. Our seats were great- right next to the KISS curtain where we could see workers working on the stage set-up as the wrestling matches began. Tommy Thayer was walking around with his WCW lanyard/pass on. We spoke to him briefly about the show.

As we watched wrestlers like Buff Bagwell, Sid Vicious, Hulk Hogan, Goldberg, etc., I couldn't keep my eyes off the KISS stage action. This was the best (or worst as some would say) of both worlds- wrestling and KISS, and I had a front row seat! After high-fiving Hulk Hogan after his match, the curtain dropped and KISS started. They "played" God of Thunder (I honestly didn't know it was lip-synced until later). The Demon wrestler emerged from a pod-like contraption toward the end of the song. There was lots of fire, lights, etc., and we were right there. It was over before we knew it, and KISS hammed it up on the stage with the Demon, then left. The event was over at this point, and we left. They were selling event only t-shirts, which we bought.

Before heading back to the airport, my friend JK played 1 hand of blackjack, winning several hundred dollars. It was a nice day!