KISS Rocks on David Letterman

Closing the "Late Show with David Letterman" tonight was epic rock group KISS. With a new CD, tour and commercials the 70's rock band is on the comeback. Performing "Modern Day Delilah" from their new CD Sonic Boom , KISS took the Letterman stage by storm in full costume and big hair. There were really no missteps by the aging band, even though they wore the giant platforms.

The performance of "Modern Day Delilah" was loud, as it should be. Paul Stanley carried the vocals pretty well. The song seemed to drag though, I wish it had a better hook. It reminded me of a slow version of "Lick It Up".

View the KISS performance on "Late Show with David Letterman" here.

Ever the showman/salesman, Gene Simmons led the show even if Paul Stanley led the vocals. Paul Stanley does still have the pipes to carry a KISS tune. He bobbled the final scream, but you could not hear him anyway. Let's face it, when this rock band takes the stage the vocals are the last thing on our minds. The stage show is something to behold, inviting a raucous party.

I was too young to be a member of the KISS Army, the 70's fan base for the band. Every teen goes through a phase of 'hair band' music though. Sooner or later they will experience KISS and "...rock and roll all night!".

Gene Simmons has been the mouth, literally, and bass player for the band since the beginning. A self pronounced business genius, Simmons has mastered the art of marketing an image. Oh, and Gene Simmons has an enormous tongue that he loves to show regularly. Paul Stanley has been the vocals and guitarist for KISS since the start, adding the sullen sexiness every metal band needs. Tommy Thayer is the latest lead guitarist, Ace Frehley had this original spot. Eric Singer has been the drummer since 1991 (replacing Eric Carr), Peter Criss was the original.

KISS appeared on MTV for the first time without makeup on Sept 18, 1983. A genius move (surely by Gene Simmons) with the big hair bands becoming popular. They moved to a slightly more pop style while retaining their metal band roots. Now the aging members have returned to the full makeup and leather. It conceals the age perfectly.

David Letterman seemed to get a kick out of the production of the KISS performance. Letterman looked so small standing with the high boot wearing rock band. Gene Simmons had been wagging his tongue for us throughout the entire performance. The camera kept cutting away from him. Simmons' tongue finally got out of control when it landed nearly in David Letterman's ear. With a jump Letterman quickly wrapped up the show. Looks like another "Kiss-ing" scandal for Dave.

Source:
www.kissonline.com
KISS Chronology