It Begins With A Kiss

This is my life as were. It struck me that whilst I've been blogging away on livejournal and others about the now, the past is missing.

This is all about me to be honest. I know that at some point I'll start forgetting things and I hope to record some of my memories here. Random happenings from the last forty years all from my perspective.

Let's start with 6th October 1984.

Kiss were playing the Edinburgh Playhouse. It was going to rock. I was sixteen years old, brimming with hormones and now in my 5th year at school. I'd aced my O Grades and this was in part a gift for doing so well. I was dressed in my finest Italian Combat Jacket, stonewashed jeans and black cap sleeved T. My parents dropped me off at the top of London Road and I went in.

After buying my tour t-shirt I wandered into the auditorium. A bit lost I took my seat. The crowd built up and suddenly I was roused by the shout of "Scummy!" from a few rows back. It was my mate Kev from air cadets. I knew he coming but hadn't expected to bump into him. He'd obviously had a head start on the booze front and he got me a beer. The support act was starting, Bon Jovi.

The was Bon Jovi's first visit to the UK and only their sixth gig there. I'd heard there single Runaway on Radio 1's Friday Night Rock Show and was quietly impressed. They weren't disappointing. I remember a number of brassieres were thrown at Jon Bon Jovi, I don't recall many of the songs though.

Next up was Kiss. This was the second tour after they Unmasked the previous year. No make-up but still exciting. They opened with Detroit Rock City, the bass thundering into my chest. I was no more than four metres from centre stage banging my head with the best of them. War Machine was awesome and the bass solo by Gene during I've Had Enough (Into The Fire) is indelibly etched into my dura mater such was the ferocity of the sonic assault. The set climaxed with Rock and Roll All Nite with Lick It Up and Black Diamond as encores.

And so I left ears ringing, high on adrenalin and beer. My parents drove me home and hence to my bed. What a night.

I never owned a Kiss or Bon Jovi recording ever. Still one of the best concerts I ever saw.