After spending nearly 50 years touring the world and performing at major Soccer stadiums and iconic arenas, Gene Simmons treated us Western New Yorkers with a special solo concert at the Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda, New York. Joining Simmons were guitarists Brent Woods, (formerly of Wildside, Sebastian Bach, Vince Neal) , Jason Walker as well as drummer Brian Tichy, formerly of Lynch Mob, The Dead Daisies, Whitesnake, and Billy Idol.
These musicians are professionals. Both guitarists showcased their skills through impressive lead guitar solos, and the drummer also had a solo performance. It was an enjoyable experience to see these talented musicians let loose. The theme of the night was all about the Marshall amps, killer cymbals, ripping leads, and getting back to the roots.
The band performed 13 classic KISS songs and some hidden gems from Gene's illustrious career. There were also interactions with the crowd, including inviting KISS fans on stage to sing background vocals. At one point, Gene even answered questions from the audience. It was a treat to see Gene without his costume or makeup, just focusing on playing the guitar and entertaining the crowd.
Interestingly, the band had just come from Italy for their last concert of the European tour and had to borrow new equipment because their own instruments were misdirected and ended up in California. The setlist included favorites like "Deuce" and "War Machine," as well as an old demo from '78 called "Are You Ready?" They also covered songs, paying homage to the late great Lemmy Kilmeister with a Motorhead cover of "Ace of Spades" and performing the original version of Van Halen's "House of Pain," which Gene helped produce in '77.
The evening was filled with classic KISS songs such as "Shout It Out Loud," "Parasite," "Cold Gin," and "Rock and Roll All Nite." They even played around with a rendition of "I Was Made for Loving You." Overall, it was an excellent night of pure rock and roll.
The show opened with an acoustic duo performance by Whitesnake's Joel Hoekstra and Devil City Angels' Brandon Gibbs. Their setlist included a variety of songs, from Poison's "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" to AC/DC's "Dirty Deeds," and classic Whitesnake songs like "Here I Go Again," "Is This Love," and "Love Ain't No Stranger."
As a veteran of over 40 years of rock and roll shows, I've seen thousands of performances, but this was a night to just enjoy the music. I would go back in a heartbeat, and if you have the chance to see it, don't miss out. This is Gene having fun, and it's infectious.
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This past Sunday, August 18, 2024, Mayor Robert Restaino of Niagara Falls and Mayor Austin Tylec of North Tonawanda presented Gene with a “Key to the City” for both municipalities in a special ceremony held in front of City Hall. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer received the honor for his commendable contributions to the local economy through his partnership with the Rock Steady Sodas company. Moreover, Mayor Restaino declared that a downtown street in Niagara Falls will be named “Gene Simmons Boulevard” in recognition of Simmons’ significant investment in the local business community.
Watch The ceremony Here:
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