Text by: Carlos Ferracin
KISS 's in 1999. If in doubt, ask any rocker over fifty which band started their journey in this universe, and the answer will, in most cases, be KISS during their visit to Brazil in 1983.
After these performances, the members opted to "remove" their classic makeup, and several musicians passed through their ranks, but the desire for a return with the original lineup, and of course, in makeup, always remained among the fans. The dream began to take shape at the 1995 MTV Unplugged Ace Frehley , Gene Simmons , Paul Stanley , and Peter Criss played together. With the positive reception, they announced the following year the return with the original lineup for shows and the release of a new album. Psycho Circus was released in September 1998, with the tour reaching Brazil for two shows: April 15th in Porto Alegre and two days later at the Interlagos racetrack in São Paulo.
Rammstein , making their debut in Brazil . While they are currently very popular, the situation was quite different back then. Those who were able to see them praised the German band's performance highly.
But of course, everyone was there for KISS, and the opening with "Psycho Circus" already showcased all the theatricality and pyrotechnics that have always been their trademarks – seeing Paul Stanley sing "Welcome To The Show" live was something many had dreamed of. This tour was the first to feature 3D images and effects. At the entrance, the audience received glasses – carefully preserved to this day – which were used during some songs, something that caused a loud 'ohhhhhhh' the first time the effect was used in "Do You Love Me".
With a setlist focused solely on songs where all four performed, the barrage of classics was intense, with space for everyone to shine individually. Paul Stanley acted like a master of ceremonies, moving around every corner of the stage; Gene Simmons embodied his character, "spitting blood" and "flying" to the ceiling of the stage to perform the iconic "God Of Thunder"; Peter Criss levitated with his drums in the – economical – solo.
Ace Frehley was the perfect "spaceman," acting as the band's musical technician who always seemed to follow his directions. His solos in "Shout It Out Loud," "Parasite," "Deuce," and "Firehouse" are part of history. "Into The Void" and "Shock Me" are where he shines with his raspy voice and, of course, the always anticipated solo where his guitar shoots sparks into space.
When Paul Stanley announced “Rock And Roll All Nite,” we knew the party was coming to an end, but there was still the encore with the thrilling “Beth,” the audience “singing” the solo along with Ace Frehley in “Detroit Rock City,” and the grand finale, “Black Diamond.”
This tour ended up marking the only time the original KISS lineup came to Brazil. Ace Frehley only returned once more in 2017 with his solo band, and KISS has appeared here several other times.
