Los Angeles may still get two NFL teams, but professional football finally returned to Southern California on Saturday night as Gene Simmons’ Los Angeles KISS, the Arena Football League team, made its home debut at Anaheim’s Honda Center.
As the Los Angeles Times reported, the KISS won their first home game in Anaheim, 44-34, “in front of 12,045 fans,” and the win improved the team’s record to 2-1.
The night was what many expected from a team owned by Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, of the legendary KISS band:
The night was a complete rock and roll event. From the national anthem played on an electric guitar, to the bikini-clad dancers suspended in midair throughout the game to fans walking around in KISS makeup and flame orange Mohawk wigs. Before the first down was played fans had already seen indoor fireworks, a laser show and a performance by heavy metal band Steel Panther.There was even a special appearance by Motorhead lead singer, Lemmy, who performed the pregame coin toss. With tickets to a KISS concert included in the season-ticket deal, the rock band name was a big draw for many of the fans in attendance.
The festivities — and the win — were not enough for one fan, who had a slight problem with team’s name.
“The only thing that is a little off-kilter is ‘L.A’ KISS,” Greg Gerstung told the Times. “It should have been O.C. KISS. That would have better represented Orange County.”
Tell that to Arte Moreno’s Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.