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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 25, 1996)
■ . Many Kiss fans have waited almost two decades to see their favor ite band in concert again. So it shouldn’t be surprising that the Kiss army began congregating outside the closed doors of Omaha’s Civic Auditorium 11 hours before the doors opened at 7 p.m. More than 1,000 fans, young and old, waited. For some, this would be their first Kiss show. Others have been to so many shows, they could not remember the number. Unknown to fans, Kiss had a sound check at 5 p.m. While Kiss was playing (without makeup), two people in full makeup dressed as Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley drove by in a white limousine. “Simmons” popped his head out of the sunroof for a second, stuck out his tongue and disappeared back into the limo. “That’s got to be them,” one fan said. “Did you see Paul’s feath ers? No one else would have feathers.” Although most fans’ costumes were not as elaborate, they were just as dedicated to the band. The doors opened late, but Kiss started on time at 9 p.m. Early arrivers with spots about five feet from the stage were driven into a frenzy every time Simmons or Paul Stanley stuck out their tongues or pointed to the crowd. : Kiss ended the show with “Rock and Roll All Nite” at 11 p.m. — not quite aU night, but they’re older now. Nevertheless, they still gave the 11,000 fans what they wanted — they brought back memories for some, and made memories for others. Please see review on page II. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Bassist Gene Simmons raises the 11,000 fans to their feet Wednesday at Omaha’s Civic Auditorium. Always the actor, Paul Stanley poses for the audience. Every move of the band ignites the crowd. Greg Nelson (left), from Pierre, S.D., and Quentin Nelson, from Schuyler, both dressed like Gene Simmons, have met each other at Kiss concerts before. The tongue that started it all^ Gene Simmons makes his famous face for the crowd. Photos and essay by Matt Miller _ _ Photo courtesy of Atlantic Records HOOTIEAND THE BLOWFISH, whose members are (from left) Jim Sonefeld, Dean Felber, Darius Rucker and Mark Bryan, will play at Omaha’s Civic Auditorium Saturday night. Hootie to play at Civic Saturday By Cliff Hicks StaffReporter Although they’ve won two Grammys, sold ova: 13 million records and become one of the most popular bands in America, Hootie & The Blow fish say success hasn’t changed them all that much. “We’re still just four guys hanging out,” lead vocalist Darius Rucker said. On Saturday night, Hootie & The Blowfish will play at Omaha’s Civic Auditorium. The band specifically re quested the city on its tour itinerary. The last time Hootie & The Blow fish played in Omaha was 2Yi years ago when they were opening for Toad The Wet Sprocket, with whom the band remains good friends. “We loved Omaha,” Rucker said. “It was one of those places that when I saw it wasn’t on the summer schedule, I asked why it wasn’t there.” Rucker said the band thought Omaha was a bright spot in what he described as virtually six years of straight touring. “We’ve never taken off more than two or three months off,” Rucker said, “and that was to do a record.” The band’s history can be traced back to the late ’80s, when all four members of the band were University of South Carolina students. The group’s name was derived from the nicknames of two of Rucker’s friends. Four members comprise the band: Rucker, lead vocals, guitar and dobro; Mark Bryan, guitar, mandolin, piano and background vocals; Dean Felber, bass and background vocals; and Jim “Soni” Sonefeld, drums, percussion, piano and background vocals. After three independent releases — “Hootie & The Blowfish,” “Time” and “Kootchypop” — the band signed to Atlantic Records and released Please see BLOWFISH on 11