KISS KRUISE LANDLOCKED IN VEGAS!

YOU WANTED THE BEST YOU GOT THE BEST!

And that’s exactly what happened KISS took over the Virgin Hotel for “Kiss Kruise LandLocked in Vegas” November 2025! KISS was the first band to get a Cruise ship on the Ocean with their KISS Kruise and then so many other Cruise ships did the same thing. And Cruise ships have to be reserved so far in advance that apparantly KISS could not get a ship! But hey that works for me! I don’t like the ocean so bring KISS to my town for a 3 day spectacular event anytime!

And I have to say this was my most favorite event ever! It wasn’t just a show it was a unique 3 day experience of panels, Q&A,s Meet and Greets, games, concerts and special private events! I was lucky enough to obtain a media pass thanks to Doc Mcghee (Kiss’ Manager) and Lynn Barstow. But I am embarrassed to admit that I felt I was kind of “over” KISS after all these years and I was skeptical about the event being so expensive. But everything changed right away when I entered the Virgin Hotel and heard loud cool 80’s music blasting throughout the lobby with KISS fans from all over the world all buzzing around with excitement. There were incredible KISS murals and artwork everywhere you looked throughout the hotel from the floor to the ceilings that were just incredible!

The first day’s big event was KISS doing an acoustic show outside and fans went absolutely crazy as Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer took to the stage. Before they started a man handed out candles to me and the crowd to hold up to show a remembrance and to acknowledge the recently departed Ace Frehley with a moment of silence.

I recognized Evan Stanley (Paul’s son) immediately and told him I really enjoy his performances with Nick Simmons (Gene’s son) on Tik Tok. The guys played so many of their cool hits including my favorite “Hard Luck Woman”.

After their performance, I was in the front row and both Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons came right over in front of me to where I was standing to say hello to their fans. Paul graciously

accepted a gift from a boy

and Gene talked to a young girl and I captured it for my social media. I ran into so many people I knew and I was anxious to come back the next day.

On Saturday, Day two, I was there at 10am for Meet and Greets with RATT, Quiet Riot, Chris Jericho, Mr. Speed and Kiss Nation.I took photos with Mr. Speed and then told them to fix the back lighting that was putting them in the dark, which was taken care of.

Then the crush of fans came in and I helped take photos for the fans for awhile. It was great to see my friends there which included Warren Demartini, Stephen Pearcy, Jizzy Pearl, Alex Grossi, Rudy Sarzo and meeting Chris Jericho again.

Paul Stanley did a cooking show with Criss Angel and Q&A’s from the fans in the theatre, Tommy Thayer did a listening party in the Shag Room for his new CD “Bombshell” with Jamie St. James from Black N’ Blue (Thayer -St. James). I loved their music and Tommy chatted with fans after the listening party and signed CD’s. I took a photo with Tommy after the event. Tommy is always so nice and I always love running into him. Tommy also did two sold-out sesssions for his new Rock & Soil Wine. Luckily my Media Pass let me in everywhere so I was able to join the party! I don’t drink but the crowd seemed to really enjoy his wine. It was great running into Marc Ferrari there who I hadn’t seen in years!

My friend Comedian Craig Gass sure was in demand at this event! Every time I saw Craig he was racing through the lobby like his pants were on fire to get onstage for an event!

He hosted the Pick Throwing contest with Gene Simmons and they both were hilarious! Both Craig and Gene are so quick witted and the comedy between them was comedy magic!

Craig also hosted a panel on Sunday with Chris Jericho and Bruce Kulick as well as a KISS look-alike contest. I attended every panel because I enjoyed them the most. So many stories and interesting history came to life.

My friend the legendary Doc McGhee did a Q&A and it was outstanding. Doc was asked if he was going to write a book. Doc answered that he was “The Dad” and “These are all my kids”. Meaning he would never rat out or do a “Tell-All” about his clients. Does this man have integrity of not?!? Doc also talked about the first time he saw Motley Crue in 1982 and he thought he was being “punked”. “They were rolling around on the floor and blowing things up and lighting themselves on fire and I thought to myself: What the F#%K is this? This is terrible. And then I looked around and saw 3,000 kids going Ape S%#t. And then I realized I didn’t know a thing about music! Since then I watch the audience, not the band. Because if the audience doesn’t like them, it doesn’t matter what I like.”

Doc also admitted the guys were so anxious to come and play again they offered to come out a week ahead of time! Doc said they had just been “Uber Dads going to the Home Depot for two years and they couldn’t wait to perform again!

As the evening progressed the theatre kicked off it’s concert with Sebastian Bach and he was incredible! I am used to seeing Sebastian on smaller stages around town since he lives here but his performance on a concert stage was an entirely different experience. Sebastian ruled the stage with Skid Row classics he helped make famous and paid homage to rock stars who passed which included Eddie Van Halen, Ozzy, Vinnie Paul, Ace and even Gordon Lightfoot!

And them the moment came that everyone was waiting for! Criss Angel gave an outstanding introduction as KISS took to the stage after a two year hiatus! I was sitting down at first but when they belted out “Black Diamond”, “Detroit Rock City”, “Shout it Out Loud” I was up on my feet rockin’ out like I was 14 years old again! About this time a young girl had joined me and stood beside me. She knew every word to every song and was screaming at the top of her lungs and singing. I asked her how old she was. She said she was 15 and from Argentina. I asked her if this was her first KISS concert and she said “Yes”.

She was at their concert when she was three but she didn’t remember anything but she was so excited and happy to finally see them and her excitement was clearly contagious. When I was her age I was backstage at KISS taking photos. In America we don’t realize how good we have it!

Bruce Kulick joined the guys on stage and I liked how Tommy Thayer waived Bruce over to come and join everyone else in the middle. Bruce wasn’t introduced but I just happened to look up and there he was!

Paul Stanley admitted he forgot Bruce was joining them. It was clear they were all caught up in the moment and playing and singing their hearts out! The confetti rained down on the crowd all through “Rock and Roll All Nite” and Paul smashed his guitar like always at the end of the show to the delight of the fans. What an incredible show!

On Sunday, Day three, I came to the hotel in the morning all sentimental and sad it was the last day. Meet and Greets included Sebastian Bach and Bruce Kulick and Craig Gass with fans lined up all through the hotel. Out in the Lawn area Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer did a “Name That Tune” contest with fans and it was very entertaining and funny. Tommy or Eric would start a song with a short intro and the contestants had to guess what song it was. I never realized Eric was such a great singer! Eric was clearly taken with the pretty German girl who was one of the contestants and he revealed he was German as well.

But the highlight was clearly the KISS Q&A with all the band members. Fans lined up to ask questions and there were so many entertaining and funny stories.

Eric complimented Gene on his playing and Gene proceeded to pass him a hundred dollar bill. Then Paul agreed with Eric on Gene’s bass playing and Gene then handed Tommy a hundred dollar bill to pass on to Paul.

He then took out a stack of bills out of his coat pocket which he threw out to the crowd at the end of the panel! The guys all came to the edge of the stage to sign autographs for the fans who flocked to the front of the stage and I found myself packed in like a can of sardines as fans fought for autographs from their heroes. this was clearly the most interesting Q&A I have ever attended!

I had planned to go backstage to take photos of Tommy Thayer and Black N’ Blue with my friend Marc Ferrari but fate intervened. I had gone to the bar to get a few of the KISS Kruise cups that I liked for souvenirs and the bartender gave me a whole stack! So I had this stack of plastic cups in my hand as Marc said he might not be able to take me backstage as they were being very military about who went backstage. That was fine with me because I didn’t know what to do with these cups in my hand. So I walked down the hallway to my car and I came upon a crowd in front of the Wentworth Gallery where Paul Stanley’s paintings had been on display throughout the event. I asked if Paul Stanley was in there and the guard said yes. I showed him my Media pass and he said no and that it was only for the customers who purchased Paul’s paintings. But lucky for me here came Doc Mcghee who was just leaving and told them to let me in. I took a photo with Paul who was always my favorite in the band.I have taken dozens of photos with Gene and Paul over the years but this one was special and a great ending to a spectacular event! Paul is always so sweet and accomodating to his fans! Thanks Doc!

Throughout the years since 1975, KISS has been a big part of my life, seeing them at private and public events and this last show felt very special.

I would like to thank Emily Bender for credentialing me for this historic event and thank you to Doc McGhee and Lynn Barstow for putting in my request!

And thank you to Pop House and Vibee and everyone else involved that made this amazing event happen! The staff at the Kiss Concierge and everywhere else throughout the event were very nice and professional!

Please Please do this event next year guys! I will be waiting!

Sally Steele

Photos: Sally Steele

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