Over the course of their illustrious five-decade career, Kiss has released an impressive total of 20 albums and more than 200 songs, yet only a select few have had the privilege of opening the band’s electrifying live performances. The opening moments of any rock concert are crucial, especially for a band known for its grand theatricality, as is the case with Kiss. When performers descend from the rafters amidst an explosion of flames and sparks, the opening track must provide the perfect auditory backdrop to such a spectacular visual display.
While hits like “Creatures of the Night,” “Psycho Circus,” and “King of the Night Time World” have their merits, let’s delve into the Top 5 songs that have consistently set the stage for Kiss concerts:
“Modern Day Delilah”
From: Sonic Boom (2009)
Tours: Sonic Boom Over Europe (2010) / Hottest Show on Earth (2010-2011)
After a lengthy hiatus of over a decade without a new studio album, Kiss triumphantly returned with the 2009 release of Sonic Boom, a project that was refreshingly free of gimmicks. The lead single, “Modern Day Delilah,” showcased one of the band’s most compelling compositions in years, making it an ideal choice for a concert opener during their subsequent tours. The innovative ferris wheel-style entrance employed during these tours only amplified the excitement surrounding this dynamic track.
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“Love Gun”
From: Love Gun (1977)
Tours: Crazy Nights (1987-1988) / Revenge (1992)
The title track from Kiss‘s final golden era album had a long gap before it reemerged as a concert opener, but when it did, it fit beautifully into the fast-paced, keyboard-heavy atmosphere of the Crazy Nights tour. In subsequent years, “Love Gun” found an even more impactful place in the setlist, serving as the soundtrack for Paul Stanley‘s iconic flight to a second stage amid the audience.
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“I Stole Your Love”
From: Love Gun (1977)
Tours: Love Gun (1977) / Alive II (1977-1978) / Hot in the Shade (1990)
“I Stole Your Love”—the second entry from the Love Gun album—was expertly crafted for the stage, featuring a powerful guitar riff and an irresistibly catchy chorus. Although it initially enjoyed the lead-off spot during the band’s tours, it didn’t remain in rotation long enough in later setlists. However, during the 1990 Hot in the Shade tour, Kiss reclaimed this gem, utilizing it as an opener once more, fully embracing their legacy as the hottest band in the land.
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“Detroit Rock City”
From: Destroyer (1976)
Tours: Destroyer (1976)/ Rock and Roll Over (1976-1977) / Alive II (1977-1978) / Unmasked Tour (1980)/ Animalize (1984-1985) / Asylum (1985-1986) / Farewell (2000-2001)/ World Domination (2003) / The Tour (2012) / Monster (2012-2013) / 40th Anniversary (2014-2015) / Freedom to Rock (2016) / End of the Road (2019-2023)
The extensive list of tours featuring “Detroit Rock City” as the opening track underscores its significance within Kiss‘s catalog. The sophisticated and cinematic production techniques introduced by Bob Ezrin on the 1976 album Destroyer made this song perfectly suited for the opening act, providing ample opportunity to showcase each member of the band—from Gene Simmons‘ distinctive R&B-style bass line to the captivating guitar interplay between Stanley and Ace Frehley.
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“Deuce”
From: Kiss (1974)
Tours: 1973-1974 club dates / Kiss (1974) / Hotter Than Hell (1974-1975) / Dressed to Kill (1975) / Alive! Tour (1975-1976) / Alive Worldwide (1996-1997) / Alive 35 (2008-2010) / KissWorld (2017-2018)
The close competition for the top spot between “Deuce” and the previous entry highlights the distinction between the raw energy of Kiss‘s early albums and the polished sound of their later works. “Deuce” is an exhilarating blast of rock and roll that kicks off with a frenetic pace and maintains its momentum throughout. This track was the go-to opener during the band’s ascent to fame and features some of Ace Frehley‘s finest guitar work. It’s also the song where Simmons, Frehley, and Stanley perform their iconic choreography during the electrifying final riffs. During the 1996-1997 reunion tour, this track was selected as the first song to welcome back fans, and in more recent performances, it often serves as the initial number sung by Simmons each night.
(While I acknowledge that “Deuce” wasn’t the opening song in the concert featured below, it boasts superior audio and video quality compared to other clips available on YouTube.)
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Gallery Credit: Matthew Wilkening
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