American Entertainment 1978: New York Night Fever

Chapter 93: Love at First Sight?

The heavy, violent drumbeats pounded down, each one landing precisely on the heartbeat, like bombs exploding one after another in the chest, making one's whole body numb and blood surge.

Amidst dazzling lights and fireworks, four rock stars with explosive makeup and wild looks stood in the center of the stage, like triumphant kings, receiving the worship and cheers of tens of thousands of people, their aura sweeping across the entire venue.

Prior to this, Zeke had never seen KISS perform live. Everyone said their live performances were incredibly amazing, and he still couldn't understand why this band could become so popular across America and achieve legendary status in the music scene. The few songs he had heard sporadically hadn't left a deep impression on him.

But at this moment, having witnessed the scene firsthand, he finally fully understood the ultimate dominance of KISS.

Their performance was like a rock circus!

On stage, Gene Simmons' signature blood-spitting and fire-breathing stunts were performed one after another, thrilling and eye-catching:

Paul, in particular, is a top-notch live singer who has a natural talent for engaging the audience and igniting their emotions from beginning to end.

The seamless integration of pyrotechnics, aerial propulsion, and stage stunts creates a visually stunning experience.

All four were wearing seven-inch platform heels, leaping through the air and landing steadily, running back and forth on the steep steps, putting in high intensity and giving it their all.

At the same time, they also had to interact with the audience while maintaining perfect breath control, flawless performance, and stable singing. Such extreme physical strength and professionalism command our utmost respect.

A glance swept across the audience below, where a dense sea of ​​ten thousand people were going wild, with countless people shouting, jumping, waving, and shedding tears, completely immersed in this grand spectacle.

Suddenly, an incredibly strong thought popped into Qi Ke's mind, clearer than ever before: If I were the one standing in the spotlight right now, holding a guitar and singing a melody, would the twelve thousand audience members below the stage also shout for me, buy tickets for me, and go crazy for me?

In a flash, Peter's words echoed in his mind: "Believe me, once you've witnessed the allure of the grand stage, you'll never be content to remain behind the scenes again..."

Yes, he doesn't want to be just an unknown songwriter or a respected competition judge; he's even less willing to spend his life as a wealthy man selling merchandise.

He wanted to stand on the stage, to be the center of attention, and to personally enjoy the glory and revelry that belonged to the stage.

The experience of watching the performance from the side of the stage is very unique, like staring into an extreme and distorted magic mirror.

The thousands of young audience members below the stage almost all had KISS's signature black and white battle makeup painted on their faces, replicating their idols' stage looks, and wearing self-made studded leather jackets and performance costumes, chasing the light in their hearts in the most sincere way.

The four superstars on stage were already used to being adored by the masses, skillfully manipulating fame, fortune, and desire amidst the extreme revelry.

As Zik was engrossed in watching, he suddenly noticed a slight commotion on one side of the stage.

During a break in the performance, Paul's gaze precisely locked onto a spot in the stands amidst a series of dazzling drum solos.

He didn't stop interacting with the audience; he simply tilted his head slightly and whispered something into his earpiece.

A few seconds later, a blonde girl in a sequined vest was gently touched on the shoulder by a security guard who approached her. The girl looked up in surprise and was then led to the backstage passage.

Zik frowned and subconsciously asked JR beside him, "Whose relative is that? Or a fan we knew before?"

JR chewed his gum, shrugged his broad shoulders, and chuckled, feigning nonchalance. "Relatives? No, kid. It's 'love at first sight.' You know, love at first sight."

Zik was stunned for a moment, and before he could think about it, there was a new commotion on the stage.

This time it was Peter. In the shadows behind the drum kit, he subtly gestured towards the other side of the stands as he wiped his sweat. Soon, another girl was led away from the crowd by bodyguards.

"Is it love at first sight as well?" Zeke turned to look at JR, his eyes filled with suspicion.

JR's facial muscles twitched slightly, and he chuckled awkwardly, "Uh—maybe tonight will be—a particularly romantic night?"

""

Immediately afterwards, Gene Simmons, with the most flamboyant aura, ran to the side of the stage, stuck out his long tongue and licked his lips, then turned to JR.

The bodyguard behind him ordered in a deep voice, "Arrange for all ten of them."

He then continued playing his instrument while watching his bodyguard walk through the crowd to speak to him, then turn around and give a coded signal, everything understood without being said.

Zeke almost bit his tongue.

Ace, who had been silent all along, was leaning against the speaker, strumming the strings. He barely looked down at the audience, only casually raising his chin and saying to a passing staff member, "Just those three."

Zik fell completely silent.

He turned to JR, stunned. "Just how many 'love at first sight' moments are there?"

JR finally couldn't hold back anymore. He awkwardly touched his bald head, chuckled, and no longer hid: "Okay, don't look at me like that. Just think of them as lions in this hunting ground. There's a saying out there: 'Kiss into town, keep an eye on your girl.'"

Qi Ke withdrew his gaze, his heart filled with doubt. He really couldn't understand how these people, while shining brightly on stage, could be distracted by so many people, and how they were going to deal with these so-called "love at first sight" encounters.

Time flew by amidst the ultimate revelry, and the concert gradually came to an end.

Qi Ke was filled with mixed emotions.

In the past, being a top-notch songwriter and producer, sitting on the judging panel to score songs, and being admired and respected was already a glamorous and respectable job in his eyes.

When he first took on the job of judging the campus dance competition, even if it was just a simple task of scoring and commenting, he would feel happy and satisfied seeing the admiring eyes of the high school students.

But nothing gets your heart racing like stepping onto the stage and facing 12,000 screaming fans and a spotlight.

This soul-stirring experience is even more exhilarating and emotionally stirring than receiving divine revelations or unlocking new songs.

He left the stage with an unprecedented sense of exhilaration, which made him understand to some extent why countless people would go to great lengths and give their all to stand on the stage and become a star in the public eye.

As the stage curtain falls, the backstage area becomes a chaotic place where desire and fanaticism intertwine, a scene both utterly absurd and utterly real.

Countless fans thronged backstage, queuing for photos, autographs, and even touching their idols. Some held their children and begged their idols for kisses and blessings, while others frantically tugged at the stars' clothes and clung to them tightly, refusing to let go.

In front of everyone, the young girl lifted her skirt to reveal a large, ostentatious KISS tattoo on her buttocks, brazenly displaying her passion and obsession.

Fans with heightened desires aren't picky about food; they'll even accept tour staff if they can't see the band members.

Behind the scenes, in every nook and cranny, every corner was filled with unrestrained desires. Reason was crushed by fervor, and the entire venue descended into extreme madness.

But within this extreme indulgence and absurdity lies a rare warmth and heartache.

Many parents, their faces filled with despair, pushed wheelchairs and waited backstage with their children suffering from terminal illnesses and rare diseases. In their desperate situation, with no way out and no medical treatment available, they regarded the radiant KISS on stage as a savior, stubbornly believing that as long as their idol reached out to touch them and offer a blessing, he could dispel their pain, bring them life, and cure their terminal illness.

Most of the parents came to Peter. This was because his stage persona was that of a "cat man," and people believed that cats had nine lives. In the hearts of people in dire straits, he carried the meaning of continued life and good fortune, becoming their last spiritual support.

Peter gently hugged the children, signed autographs for photos, and patiently comforted and encouraged them.

Although Zeke knew that this behavior, which didn't even qualify as feudal superstition, was somewhat far-fetched and probably a product of a hybrid of American Christianity and pagan folk culture, he was still quite moved. After everything was over, he said to Peter, "What you did was really heartwarming."

Peter hadn't removed his makeup yet, but Zeke sensed he was forcing a bitter smile. His voice was hoarse, almost on the verge of collapse: "Zeke, you don't understand how hard this is... We've been touring for years, returning to the same city time and time again, but each time we come back, one or two familiar faces are missing. Those kids... they ultimately couldn't overcome their illnesses. These repeated separations of life and death are really tearing my heart apart."

"We are just ordinary people, not gods, and we can't save anyone's life. This endless drain on empathy is almost crushing me."

Zik also sighed. He suddenly realized what a heavy and unacknowledged price was hidden beneath that dazzling costume and makeup.

In that instant, a genuine sense of sympathy swept through his heart...

But it was fleeting.

JR stepped forward and patted Peter on the shoulder heavily: "Don't be discouraged, man! Tonight is the final show, all the fatigue is over, now it's time to enjoy yourself!"

Peter snapped back to reality, the gloom in his eyes vanishing instantly:

"YES!"

Zik was pulled away by him and left the venue, following the band to their hotel.

By this time, the hotel was already completely surrounded by a massive crowd of fans. Large numbers of teenage fans, mimicking KISS's makeup and making their own stage costumes, filled the hotel lobby and the street below, belting out "Firehouse" and "Black" on repeat.

Classic tracks like "Diamond" and "Rock and Roll All Nite" echoed the stage names of the four members, lingering for a long time.

With the help of layers of security personnel, the group managed to break through the crowd and successfully enter the elevator.

The elevator slowly ascended, the atmosphere in the enclosed space ambiguous. Unable to suppress his curiosity, Qi Ke smiled and asked, "How are those girls you arranged for the performance doing now?"

As soon as the words were spoken, the members of KISS exchanged glances, simultaneously revealing knowing, mischievous smiles, and said in unison, "You'll find out soon enough."