Last week I had the chance to watch Kiss live in concert from Staples Center in Los Angeles, it was excellent! What was more cool was watching with my 17 year old son, who is a fan of classic rock, and also my bands sound man.

It was very nostalgic for me. My very first concert was KISS back in 1979 on the Dynasty tour at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix Arizona. There was plenty of lead-in to the show, including a potty mouth Nick Simmons. I was guessing that they would start the show with Detroit Rock City.. I always thought that would be a great song to start a show with. However, obviously they feel that they know more than me so they started with Deuce!

The one thing that really stood out to me was how much I miss arena rock shows. Man, those were great times... when bands knew that your $7 (what I paid for KISS) was worth... much more than just watching a group of stoned, slacking 20 somethings playing some depressing crap that noone will remember in 10 years. They showed signs of age, but with all of that cool makeup... who really frickin cares? :).

To be honest, since it was a live feed, we hung in for about 10 songs and then we both went and did our own thing. But we kept the feed cranked on the computer and checked in every once in a while to rock out with them. Really, thanks to KISS for offering this online! That was too cool, and splendidly relevant. Hopefully more bands will understand how the viral marketing thing works and offer their shows for free online... with a casual obligatory pimping of various advertisers, of course ;-). Kudos to KISS! You guys still rock!

If you want to watch the KISS concert live from Staples Center in Los Angeles, check out the Ustream KISS concert. Full disclosure, there is a ton of lead-in.