KISS - "New Zealand 1980" Western Springs Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand December 3rd, 1980

Opening Act: Iron Maiden

Notes: this was the last show of the Unmasked Tour. It was the first tour not to feature original drummer Peter Criss, and the touring debut of his replacement Eric Carr. The Unmasked tour was the first time that Kiss only played in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, with only one show played in the United States. The Australian and New Zealand shows are usually the only places where KISS play "Shandi", which was a hit single down there. This would be the last tour that Ace Frehley would perform with Kiss until the 1996 reunion tour.

Paul Stanley, vocals & guitar
Ace Frehley, vocals & lead guitar
Eric Carr, vocals & drums
Gene Simmons, vocals & bass

CD 1
d101 Intro/Detroit Rock City
d102 Cold Gin
d103 Strutter
d104 Shandi
d105 Calling Dr. Love
d106 Firehouse
d107 Talk To Me
d108 Is That You?
d109 2000 Man
d110 Ace solo

CD 2
d201 I Was Made For Lovin' You
d202 New York Groove
d203 Love Gun
d204 Gene solo
d205 God Of Thunder/Eric Solo
d206 Rock and Roll All Nite
d207 Shout It Out Loud
d208 King Of The Night Time World
d209 Black Diamond

Posted: November 4, 2010 by rockbrat in Rockbrat Wonders:
Who would ve thought that guitarist Ace Frehley would perform in make-up for the final time at Auckland, New Zealand in late 1980 ? Nearly 9000 miles is a long way from the NYC bars of 1973 when the Spaceman Make-up was still in its earliest stages. But so it came to pass, that after the hugely popular tour of Australia in November, KISS would jet over to New Zealand from some shows. Western Springs Stadium is located to the West of Auckland in the suburb of Western Springs. History buffs will find it interesting that the Stadium dates back to 1929 and has been used for Athletics, Cycling and is currently being used as a Speedway, and for Rugby Union during the football season.
Rock geeks will find it interesting to know that many big acts have played this venue over the years including Zeppelin, the Stones, McCartney, Bowie, AC/DC and Bowie. However New York s finest commanded the stage for the final show of their Unmasked World Tour at this venue on a warm Wednesday evening of December the 3rd, 1980. Frehley, along with his band mates and crew would have no idea that it would be the final time Ace performed live in concert with Kiss under his trademark Spaceman persona ! Sure the re-union of 1996 saw him don the big white boots once again, but that was different. This was the end of an era. For the band were soon to embark on the doomed The Elder project and their popularity would momentarily take a hit. With the murder of Lennon some five days away, the world of rock n roll was about to be shaken upside down.
Frehley would in fact (rock) soldier on for some time and officially depart in 1982, but this night is a significant night in Kisstory. The set-list was similar to the songs played live on the Aussie tour: Detroit Rock City, Cold Gin, Strutter, Shandi, Calling Dr. Love, Firehouse, Talk to Me, Is That You, 2000 Man, Ace Frehley s Guitar Solo, I Was Made For Loving You, New York Groove, Love Gun, God of Thunder, Rock N Roll All Nite, Shout It Out Loud, King of the Night Time World, Black Diamond.
It would be seventeen long years (1997) before KISS performed live for their New Zealand fans once again strangely not scheduling any shows there following the 1995 Kiss My Ass Australian Tour. 1980 was a different time for Kiss a very different time in rock n roll in general. There is an excellent soundboard show of this gig doing the rounds which is well worth chasing down. It s a good show. Frehley s guitar work is amazing as is his working of what has become his signature tune New York Groove. It is apt that Frehley s final song he performed Black Diamond would be one which was written from the earliest KISS days of 1973. In the hectic and heady years that followed they rose from the roach-infested rehearsal rooms of the Big Apple to pretty much conquering the world s biggest stages. Stages like the Western Springs Stadium where a true rock n roll icon took (what was to be) his final bow with the band that made him a superstar.