On January the 9th 1975 it marked 50 years since KISS did their "Hotter Than Hell” Tour in Vancouver, Canada. Commodore Ballroom to be more specific. No lights, no logo … I just love audience photos like these. For some reason they feel more ”real” than professional ones.
They played two shows that day. One at 9 and then 11 p.m. The venue, Commodore Ballroom had a 1000 capacity, but it's not clear if it was sold out.
"Strange Ways" was purportedly performed at the second show this night, indicating that it may have been in other sets during the period. Which is a topic often discussed.
The opening act had been billed as Sam Hurrie's Diamond Reo, but due the existence of a band in New York already named Diamond Reo a change was required.
From a local review: "And KISS members are not totally inept as musicians. The sound is the usual wall-of-guitars, Rolling Stones as diluted by Bachman-Turner Overdrive, and yet underneath the hard-rock exterior beats a heart of solid pop. 'Nothin' To Lose' sounded like the Beatles playing a little loud... All true rock fans must recognize KISS for what it is, a healthy counterweight to the creeping intellectualization of rock. But any moron can understand the police sirens and flashing red lights and flame-throwing that makes up KISS' act, any moron at all. Remember, they once laughed at Alice Cooper" (Vancouver Sun, 1/10/75).
Photos: Kim D Barnatt
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