Kiss - NZ footage 1980 (RARE!!)

As a live rock band Kiss were something of an unknown commodity in New Zealand - their image was hard to miss but despite TV and airplay, their records hadn't sold in comparative numbers to overseas markets. In this rare clip Roger Gasgoine presents an article as the Kiss show rolls into Wellington in December 1980. Kiss followed the Wellington concert with a show at Western Springs in Auckland and many will recall the 70-foot drum riser ascending then towering high above the stage. all part of one spectacular stage show...

[@clemlowes9417]

I sensed that Paul was worried, perhaps even disgusted that Ace was so drunk. Paul was probably thinking "here we go again".

[@kurtstachnik7242]

I went to the concert that night. It wasnt 12,000. It was nearly 20,000. Awesome show.

[@nissansentraglx]

that few seconds of gene is the only time he has ever been shown to actually smile and laugh. wow!

[@haysfordays]

And utter the word "putz"!!!

[@homer1738]

I think that was Eric who messed with Gene .Gene said one time Eric was a prankster!

[@nicholaslamb1262]

Fucking love Ace. According to his book this is about the time he really started getting out of control

[@balkee42]

Yep. A true american legend

[@ChadBest-ug8uo]

watch your language

[@ToruKun1]

"This show needs all the help it can get." Paul with a zinger!

[@marial.rapaglia4041]

he's the singer.

[@snuffy166]

@@marial.rapaglia4041 he meant he's buzzed lol

[@customtattoosbyrobby2064]

its sick how serious paul was, like nobody was allowed to have fun or be humane, lighten up dude, your band has sucked since ace left.

[@ToruKun1]

@@snuffy166 "Zinger" means "A striking or amusing remark"

[@killshot8663]

Paul Takes things very serious and he has every right to. Paul wasn’t happy you can tell. If you listen to him just before Gene saids something . Paul said . I’m not going back out there sorry .. there is a time for fun and there is a time for work

[@hayden2897]

Wish I was there. We love kiss from New Zealand

[@mkl62]

40 years and still going.

[@timglover5358]

Eric Carr is and always will be my favorite (RIP)

[@DrTomoculus]

Ace is so damn funny. That whole thumb up wobbly Jack in the Box, is drunk but putting on a drunk show, half mocking, half send up of rock and roll. That dude. He's just so damn funny.

[@MrLemmy2000]

He was bombed

[@gruntaguitar]

I went to that concert..great night...just saw ACE in wellington Cpl ov months ago....

[@rickr2029]

Me too. It was a special special night! Open arm treatment for the newest member Care!

[@Ramatx]

Paul always professional

[@jsaktube]

I was at this concert. I still have the tour book.

[@southplnk]

me too i remember getting kiss ice blocks at the store on the way to the show

[@jsaktube]

southplnk hell yes I remember the kiss iceblocks

[@Warchief01]

How did Ace do during the show?

[@xflnx756]

sell it to me !!

[@jsaktube]

Warchief01 Can't remember exactly. but there was lots of Pyro works

[@KISStributeNYC97]

Love this footage! Thank you!

[@ODPTV1]

Ace is drunk in all the interviews from the 70s/early 80s and I love it.

[@paulcolville5972]

Yeah it's always great when drink ruins your career, causes you to miss planes and schedules and generally be unprofessional! Rock on!! 👍 👌 Hey what about Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix dead at 27, oh that was drugs hey that's great too right it's all rock n roll eh.

[@tomwaldo9556]

@@paulcolville5972 ace is 70.

[@paulcolville5972]

@@tomwaldo9556 Correct. I was just talking about wasted talent and how it's so often lionised and held up as some cool thing that's all.

[@dgcmusi]

I would have thrown him out of the band...you can tell even back then Paul was really in a loss of words about the situation...but crazy things like being voted top guitarist in magazines probably caused the band to keep him because they were afraid of losing their momentum...or album sales...I know Gene and Paul had problems with members getting so wasted they couldn’t play well...so much so that other musicians had to come in to lay down tracks....WHY did they put up with this crap for so long ?.because it’s Rock and Roll...? This became a big big business and you just don’t have members that are going to bring down the best you can be..

[@tomwaldo9556]

@@paulcolville5972 I agree with that. I guess I misunderstood.

[@patton303]

Oh look....Ace is hammered.

[@ErikDeMann]

I saw this show in Copenhagen as a 16 y/o, Iron Maiden with Paul Di'anno was the opening act.

[@Klaus80804]

Me, too - same show in Munich/Germany - Iron Maiden when they just had their debut album out. I think they even had Dennis Stratton on guitar back on that support tour.

[@ErikDeMann]

@@Klaus80804 Correct. That was the year Kiss started using the weird looking ZZ's in the name, for the German audience only.

[@turdblasterken6781]

seen them 38 times since 1976

[@adammontre7944]

2:12 ace drunk

[@marial.rapaglia4041]

♠drunk, drugged or both!

[@prraliaross9858]

@@marial.rapaglia4041 😵😲😲😲 I see it and don´t believe it

[@deuce1231]

Wow, Paul with a double-neck guitar for Detroit Rock City...interesting...

[@cehayes74]

deuce1231 I believe that’s his Hamer he was playing Hamer Axes around this time !!!

[@MrMaximoo01]

hilarious - thanks for posting.

[@KeniWilliams]

Awesome!

[@leokimvideo]

Ace drunk as a skunk and Paul can't help saying something against that. And Gene still wears the same leather jacket to this day.

[@wesbeach69]

Ace did the most accurate Christopher walken impression

[@chloenkitty]

$12.50 for a ticket, but I miss those days. I just paid $1200 for a ticket to see the Eagles

[@Ray_____]

Lol

[@SpaceWithAce]

In Germany DM 16.00 for the greatest show on earth!

[@derrickcalvert5264]

This was during the first wave of covid when they got off the plane but got the vaccine before the show.

[@angel55945able]

Keep'on kiss, all Right!!

[@rafaelperalta3340]

Awesome

[@carlalyles]

Ace totally rocks!

[@korgond]

Ace is high as always

[@troutmask1970]

Ace is drunk off of his you know what. Great clip.

[@starchildslover]

i was there somewhere up the front

[@MAARBAND]

SPACE ACE!!!

[@houseofshuffles449]

Actually he's a Plumber.

[@madpioneer]

So this guy/reporter states 12 to 15,000 and that KISS won't make a profit on that night's show? How the hell does he know?! Typical media reaction to KISS back then. Always hating on them with negative uncorroborated statements.

[@royski9]

true.

[@Strive1324L]

Wow, Paul looked like he was on the Tom Snyder show again! 2:08

[@kynansmusic9724]

$12.50!? they are like $80 now

[@charleslamoureux3008]

@KISS4 ever Now you need to get a second mortgage on your house AND sacrifice your first born to Gene Simmons...

[@kuriakilee8003]

It's crazy Kiss is still going after all these years

[@gstevens6948]

140$ a ticket here in Tulsa for feb 22, 2017.

[@johncounts3390]

A KISS shovv for $12.50? VVOVV that vvas a long time ago!

[@dceballos067]

Yup, that's how much my ticket cost to see KISS at what was formerly known as the Anaheim Convention Center here in southern Cal back in 79/80 on their Dynasty Tour...I was in the 8th grade back then, damn!!

[@edwardjohnson8933]

+Don Ceballos 8.50 providence Rhode Island 1976...they Scorched the ceiling in the civic center(pro-hockey stadium)

[@frankbrazil7918]

that like $40 today w inflation. el cheapo

[@kylepritchard5771]

Frank Brazil no that like120 today

[@Assimilator702]

Frank Brazil It was STILL easier to get ahold of $12 back in 1980 as a kid than it is to scrape up $40 today.

[@daverain1967]

the shows from this period are really really good, too bad the US didn't get to see any of it lol

[@MrLemmy2000]

Ace was bombed i wonder if they used back in tracks back then

[@Christine16425]

J y connais rien, ça veut dire quoi utiliser des pistes ? Merci

[@celine_ch2567]

God Ace was so drunk😂

[@dennydarkko]

He was high on heroin

[@a.l5962]

nevertheless he was one of the best ! ! ! love Ace

[@ariaggieamyahhoy3548]

ace is drunk again

[@soulgonerogue9]

And.... He shouldn't be?

[@carlintorres8485]

what?

[@FrehleyFan3988]

2:09 best advice you could get from ace frehley😂

[@97warlock]

somebody at 1:28 showed thier face getting in the limo,had to watch it slow

[@scotty3034]

RADIO WINDY EIGHTY NIIIINNNEEE......

[@mautufaraniioapo2515]

mautu ioapo kiss nz footage 1980 rare thonk you youtube videos in my loaptop compter goodday thonk you 19.2.2015

[@7777Scion]

On a serious note, while it may bring a brief smirk to your face, Ace's self-destruction is evident here and that had to be very hard to deal with day after day after day. Many fans like to just shrug it off as "Ace being Ace." Nothing funny about drug and alcohol addiction. It totally ruined him. He looks like Leatherface these days.

[@markc5771]

Four guys in drag costumes covered in makeup warrants a serious "note?" I don't believe any of the stories surrounding this band because the two Jews running the thing have already proven themselves hostile witnesses.

[@oldschoolpunkguy1]

@@markc5771 What the fuck does them being Jews have to do with anything?

[@icuabc1235]

Ace was making a total ass of himself, If you missed it He is the one that threw Genes cape up while Gene was talking. If your gonna get fucked up keep it to yourself, don't embarrass the rest of the band... I was righted about this comment, it wasn't Ace it was Eric doing the Cape flip.

[@1959blantz]

icuabc 123 Even when Ace was fucked up he had more talent than Gene and Paul combined.

[@1959blantz]

Joseph Nickell that’s a good one. Paul Stanley has nowhere near the talent of Ace. The only talent Paul had was his voice, and he doesn’t even have that anymore. Paul Stanley never came close to Aces’s ability as a guitarist.

[@FORNICATOR1981]

Ace looks sauced 😂

[@JoanPaulBerthi]

Paul... with a double neck?

[@409STMinority]

Ace Is so funny when he is drunk! R.I.P. Eric Carr ( The Fox)!!

[@linusfotograf]

Mr Spacefox Not funny in the long run I’m betting.

[@carlintorres8485]

not fun for gene and paul...i tell you.

[@wickedcurve]

I am not sure if at the end where they're playing Detroit Rock City and it seems it's at the opening of the show which they typically did at that time but Paul's playing a double neck guitar. I've never seen him open up at the beginning with that...

[@linusfotograf]

Steven Hoefgen Images from a different song set to DRC.

[@carmenowens3375]

@@linusfotograf no

[@CuteLesbo69]

Why was Paul playing a double neck?

[@JerichoMile4]

Uh...KISS worldwide 👍

[@chrishellams1755]

Ace 80s tor up from the floor up

[@eatdrinkbe1323]

12.50 huh? Cool!

[@lanigirl8289]

Really Paul

[@kissklassics]

Ace drunk off his ass.

[@1959blantz]

I'd say more on Coke. Not Coca Cola.

[@cainsmale5988]

I think that was the Wellington concert..I went to the Auckland show .. the 2nd show

[@juliusschwencke142]

..was that the show when Gene and Paul stopped playing, and called out the gang members who were forcibly taking scarves off the fans that had caught them, and then formed an inner ring, circling and goading the crowd to do something about it. Disgusting. Only in New Zealand.

[@cainsmale5988]

@@juliusschwencke142 that's exactly what happened .. right in front of me.. the Headhunters gang .. they actually stabbed a man that was pushed into the circle.. or that's what appeared to happen .. I'll never forget that ..

[@sarahcarroll1495]

Choice as!!!!

[@stevepwnz]

Wellington

[@THECLARENCES]

The Clarences love & support Kiss!

[@johnlee7479]

You can see Paul is just had enough of Ace and his drunken ways

[@33neptun]

But without Ace they are NOTHING but an average teenage band, And they are very well aware of that. ACE made them famous. More than any of them.

[@vaiman7777]

@@33neptun They done 8 albums after kicking him out. All done well. So whilst fun, he wasn't a driving force of Kiss lol. Vinnie had more input into Kiss for that matter. He was an average guitarist at best, but got pissed and people enjoy a clown.

[@Christine16425]

@@vaiman7777 guitariste moyen 🤔 ?

[@Ray_____]

@@33neptun 🙄

[@RokDAWG1]

I'd love to know what Paul's playing in this clip

[@groovydjs]

It's a double neck Hamer, both 6 strings, top neck has a capo on it.

[@vansims3032]

It still sucked to not see Peter Criss with them

[@user-we8us2ik6n]

rare

[@misstery5942]

Eric the FUX 😂

[@roman14032]

they where doing detriot rock city then...........xanadu

[@jimmystinky7775]

So whatever happened to Scott? That was 34 years ago?

[@klistarf]

It would be interesting to know (38 years ago now). It was so endearing to see how he was genuinely at a loss for words trying to describe what meeting his heroes meant to him. I would've been exactly the same! Tbh, i would probably be something like that today if i met them, and i'm now 52 yo! Lol! \m/ (:o)

[@venom-dq4rb]

He had a sex change and changed his name to Jean

[@larsbambi1575]

For a moment kiss hired him for the band.. he wore Spaceace's makeup and costumes

[@BrunoCAGAS]

last frehley concert til nine6

[@97warlock]

this isnt really rare, i watched it about 3-4 years ago.

[@drummerkid71]

Ace sounds like Borat...lol.

[@anna2k2]

Detroit rock city

[@cellblocknine5385]

$12.50 for KISS tickets?!

[@melissatucker179]

the hottest band in the entire world....(Kiss)

[@avolite719]

The gayest band in the entire world ....... KISS!

[@TheLeadSled]

AVOLITE the dumbest comment in the world.....AVOLITE!!!

[@seabassseabass8835]

@@avolite719 You're the biggest dumbass in the world 😂

[@DCB728]

Maybe in your dreams!

[@lozarok]

ACE The greatest thrashed guitarist in the World LOL

[@markwombles5716]

Haha! Ace sooooo drunk

[@Christine16425]

J adore ça met de l ambiance du moment qu il tient la guitare 🎸 👍

[@ukrpgfan4029]

Were is Scotty now?

[@marial.rapaglia4041]

who cares!

[@marial.rapaglia4041]

should ask where is eric carr now.

[@misstery5942]

Scott loveday is love struck lol

[@mockbattles]

Phil O’Brien!

[@CARETAKER89able]

Fish and Chips Hey Kiwis.Whats.. New..Haha!!!

[@RokDAWG1]

You post that like you do better daily

[@mjgal5936]

Ace is fucking drunk ! X)

[@vlada_sx1525]

it's just Ace😂

[@33neptun]

I always wonder how Ace was able to play in such drunk condition ??? And play it actualy more less pretty good. I am musician and i know that there is NO WAY that you can play drunk. Yes,you actualy can, but you can't call it playing. Only member in the band who can allow to himself to be a little drunk, is a singer. But of course, not too much. Otherwise, it's disaster....

[@GlamRicke]

Bibber Ace, sad to see.

[@scottgilleland3039]

nothings rare on youtube

[@misstery5942]

How the fuck did KISS go to Wellington? That's fucking hilarious 😂 I remember going to rotorua airport arrivals in shock ... walk off plane into a duty free the size of local newsagents with a Maori lady strumming her guitar and got through CUSTOMS in five steps lol and Wellington was not much better 😂

[@IronhorseSara]

Oh my, Ace is very drunk I'm afraid :(

[@drumstixx1976]

@Joseph Nickell Without Ace there would be no such thing as the band KISS.

[@ShottyAndreas2012]

HAHAHAH!! ACE IS FUCKED UP IS AUSTRALIA!! :p

[@fabianacosta9420]

Kkkkkkkkk

[@beatrixblitzer747]

Was ace ever fucking sober?

[@WeedVulva]

ACEEEEEEEEEEEEE LMAO

[@THEELDER1]

I'll take a spaced out Ace Frehley over a very mediocre Thayer anyday!

[@whitecloud_94]

Let's just rename every Kiss video by adding the word Rare.

[@donbrashsux]

Roger gascoin

[@stanleye.9038]

Newsflash! It ain't *"Rare"*, if anyone with a computer -- other than those in a third-world country -- have access to view it, etc., on the -- get this -- "world-wide web".

[@augustusdiablues2843]

WTF!?

[@saint7370]

that was a pretty gay wave paul

[@bobmilin]

I stopped following Kiss right around now when they put out that piece of trash Unmasked.