Originally published in Kerrang magazine 1604 · January 2016
My First Gig – Mike Portnoy, The Winery Dogs
Who: Kiss, Madison Square Garden, New York City, December 14, 1977
ArticleMike Portnoy1 min read
He wanted the best, and he got the best! Mike Portnoy recalls the gig that changed his life forever...
“By 1977, my Kiss fanaticism was at an all-time intensity. My rooms were covered floor-to-ceiling with Kiss posters, I was a rabid member of the Kiss Army, and although I was a drummer, [guitarist] Ace Frehley was my hero. My nickname throughout elementary school was Ace – even my teachers called me Ace!
“Love Gun was released earlier in the year and they had just released Alive II, and were coming through New York for a three-night stand at Madison Square Garden right before Christmas. So, the chance for me to see them live was finally going to come true!
“The opening band were Billy Squier’s Piper, but I was too transfixed on the silver metallic Kiss sign behind them.
“The lights went out and suddenly the familiar introduction filled the world’s most famous arena: ‘You wanted the best, you got the best... the hottest band in the world... Kiss!’ and they opened with ‘I Stole Your Love’.
“It was the quintessential Kiss show – Gene [Simmons] blowing fire in ‘Firehouse’ and spitting blood in ‘God Of Thunder’, Ace’s smoking guitar during his solo in ‘Shock Me’, Paul [Stanley] smashing his guitar at the end of ‘Rock And Roll All Nite’, and Peter Criss’ elevating riser at the end of ‘Black Diamond’.
“This wasn’t just a show; it was a religious experience. This concert really changed my life.”