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December 3, 1985 |
Convention Center Arena
Promoter: Stone City Attractions
Other act(s): Black 'N Blue
Reported audience: ~5,100 / 12,000 (42.5%)
Set list(s):
Unknown.
Notes:
- A new local ordinance that prevented children under 14 from attending concerts without parental supervision was suggested to have affected attendance at this show, though it was reportedly not being enforced at the time -- and didn't apply to the show since it had been booked prior to ordinance's passage. The problem for both authorities and promoters was defining what "obscene" actually meant. According to the city attorney's office, "the performance must involve depictions of bestiality, sadomasochism, sex with children or corpses, rape, incest or 'vulgar, indecent references to sexual relations.' 'But a song about rape isn't enough,' said Assistant City Attorney Pat Bernal. 'It must also meet the Supreme Court test that it appeals to prurient interests, does not meet community standards and has no serious artistic merit'" (Dallas Morning News, 12/26/85). According to Bob Orbin of Stone City Attractions, "The ordinance is so vague; we don't think any of our concerts will be subject to it." Footage from inside and outside the venue at the show was filmed by TV crews along with brief segments with the band.
- From a local review: "Critics can line up from here to New Zealand and take turns savaging the group for its sound, its image, its lyrics, its very reason for existence; but no one can say KISS doesn't give its audience a show for its ticket money. Tuesday's concert had just about everything a rock fan could want -- lights (hundreds of them), clothes (the kind of outfits that could only drape Liberace in a sweaty nightmare), music (thundering), solos (guitar, bass and drum) and speeches (anti-anti-rock). Tuesday's concert also had just about everything rock music detractors could want -- all of the above plus profanity, the aforementioned speeches and a declaration by KISS guitarist Paul Stanley that 'we're not goin' away...' There's nothing fancy about KISS music. Call it hard rock or call it heavy metal, but what it is, is thunder and lightning-style three-or four-chord rock 'n' roll played at maximum volume. It's basic, primal, somewhat profane and a bit juvenile -- but it's not particularly dangerous" (San Antonio Express-News, 12/4/85).
Of Interest:
- From a local review: "Critics can line up from here to New Zealand and take turns savaging the group for its sound, its image, its lyrics, its very reason for existence; but no one can say KISS doesn't give its audience a show for its ticket money. Tuesday's concert had just about everything a rock fan could want -- lights (hundreds of them), clothes (the kind of outfits that could only drape Liberace in a sweaty nightmare), music (thundering), solos (guitar, bass and drum) and speeches (anti-anti-rock). Tuesday's concert also had just about everything rock music detractors could want -- all of the above plus profanity, the aforementioned speeches and a declaration by KISS guitarist Paul Stanley that 'we're not goin' away...' There's nothing fancy about KISS music. Call it hard rock or call it heavy metal, but what it is, is thunder and lightning-style three-or four-chord rock 'n' roll played at maximum volume. It's basic, primal, somewhat profane and a bit juvenile -- but it's not particularly dangerous" (San Antonio Express-News, 12/4/85).