Friday, September 10, 2004
Sept. 10, 1979: First KISS concert
Wow. I just realized that it has been 25 years to the day since I attended my first KISS concert at the Huntington Civic Center in Huntington, WV. They were supporting the "Dynasty" album and featured Judas Priest as their opening act.
Because I was only 8 years old, my mom (who was less than thrilled) had to take me. Actually, she tried her best to avoid taking me. Several weeks prior, we had heard that KISS was playing in Lexington, KY. My mom made some offhand comment like, "If they come any closer than Lexington, I'll take you to the concert." Well, a couple of weeks later, as I was dozed off in the car, a commercial for the KISS show in Huntington came on the radio. My mom practically ran off of the road trying to turn off the radio; however, it was too late. I had heard enough.
Of course, the show was like nothing my 8-year old eyes had ever seen. The makeup, the pyrotechnics and the incredible volume of the music and the crowd (luckily we brought earplugs) were almost overwhelming. I think I spent the entire next day showing off my ticket stub and tour book (which cost an outrageous $5!) and recounting all of the details for my classmates who probably couldn't have cared less.
I've seen KISS probably 10 times since then (including a 1998 Halloween trip to L.A. for our honeymoon); however, this show is the one I still remember best. It's probably the reason I still go to their shows even though I stopped listening to the music years ago.
Wow. I just realized that it has been 25 years to the day since I attended my first KISS concert at the Huntington Civic Center in Huntington, WV. They were supporting the "Dynasty" album and featured Judas Priest as their opening act.
Because I was only 8 years old, my mom (who was less than thrilled) had to take me. Actually, she tried her best to avoid taking me. Several weeks prior, we had heard that KISS was playing in Lexington, KY. My mom made some offhand comment like, "If they come any closer than Lexington, I'll take you to the concert." Well, a couple of weeks later, as I was dozed off in the car, a commercial for the KISS show in Huntington came on the radio. My mom practically ran off of the road trying to turn off the radio; however, it was too late. I had heard enough.
Of course, the show was like nothing my 8-year old eyes had ever seen. The makeup, the pyrotechnics and the incredible volume of the music and the crowd (luckily we brought earplugs) were almost overwhelming. I think I spent the entire next day showing off my ticket stub and tour book (which cost an outrageous $5!) and recounting all of the details for my classmates who probably couldn't have cared less.
I've seen KISS probably 10 times since then (including a 1998 Halloween trip to L.A. for our honeymoon); however, this show is the one I still remember best. It's probably the reason I still go to their shows even though I stopped listening to the music years ago.
¶ 7:52 AM 
Comments:
Brian,
Great story. Thanks for posting it.
I never even considered that there might be footage from that show.
Now that I think about, I do seem to remember that there was some footage on the local news. Some guy was trying to sue the band after they tossed out the fire helmet after "Firehouse."
Let me know if you ever find it. Would love to check it out.
Great story. Thanks for posting it.
I never even considered that there might be footage from that show.
Now that I think about, I do seem to remember that there was some footage on the local news. Some guy was trying to sue the band after they tossed out the fire helmet after "Firehouse."
Let me know if you ever find it. Would love to check it out.
posted by 
sMoRTy71 : 7:23 AM
sMoRTy71 : 7:23 AM kisss u rock!!!!!!!!!!!! i want to see you i am your biggest fans. iam 12yearsold
posted by 
armand joseph.moreno : 10:43 AM
armand joseph.moreno : 10:43 AM i whent to see KISS in fort wayne,ind in"79" i still have the concert book i sitll listen to them i like the old kiss better GOD OF THUNDER is my fav
posted by dragonfires5 : 3:26 AM
dragonfires5 : 3:26 AMblog comments powered by Disqus
About Shawn Morton
Married father of 4, social media strategist at Nationwide, consumer electronics enthusiast, hair metal aficionado.
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My mother had taken my younger brother and I to the first show and, although she didn't care for the music, she admitted finding the show somewhat entertaining. For the 9/10/79 show, however, she was steadfastly refusing to take us again, so we lied and told her that my best friend's adult sister offered to take us along with my friend. I was twelve at the time and my brother was ten. We were there very early and among the first in the place. Luckily we decided to go for mid level seating nearest to the stage rather than joining the crowd near the stage. I doubt my brother would have come out in one piece.
KISS was way ahead of thier time when it comes to showmanship and I thought these shows were the greatest experience that I would ever encounter for the rest of my life! It's funny to think that I initially found their appearance quite repulsive and it was actually the music that swayed me. I seem to recall it being the other way around with most of thier fans back then who were most often wowed by the image of the band.
There is bootleg footage out there of this show. Even though it's only a few minutes, I would love to get my hands on a copy. I found a guy on the internet who would only trade for other concert footage. I explained my reason for wanting a copy and that, because I'm not a collector, I had nothing to trade. He eventually agreed to send me a copy but it never found its way here so my search continues.