# Lick It Up World Tour

The Lick It Up World Tour was a concert tour by American hard rock band Kiss, in support of their eleventh studio album Lick It Up. It was the last tour to feature lead guitarist Vinnie Vincent.

## Background

It was the first tour the band performed without wearing their trademark make-up, following the reveal of the members without them on MTV in September 1983, basing it on how bands, fans and the times change. The tour began in Cascais, Portugal on October 11, 1983 when they performed for the first time without the usage of makeup. According to Simmons, fan reaction in Europe was 'greater than ever' and had sold out in advance. When asked if the removal of the makeup meant that it was a farewell tour, Simmons stated that it was not, saying "If that were the case, I'd rather let the thing fade away. We're only doing this because, after the tour and making Lick It Up, we feel stronger than ever."
The "tank" stage design from the preceding Creatures of the Night tour was used again, keeping all the same gimmicks. The January 11 show in Nashville was recorded, and an edited version aired on The King Biscuit Flower Hour. At the January 27 show in Long Beach, Kiss were presented with their first gold records since 1980 for the Lick It Up album.
Lead guitarist Vinnie Vincent was fired after the European Tour due to "unethical behavior". Kiss did not have enough time to search for another guitarist, so they re-hired Vincent for the North American leg until his firing became permanent after the tour ended. Bass guitarist Gene Simmons stated in various interviews that Vincent's dismissal was because he never signed his contract as an official member of Kiss and for unethical behavior. Stanley later admitted that Vincent had to go, stating that he was getting worse and stalling the shows with lengthy guitar solos. There were also issues regarding Vincent over his salary, who wanted a better deal and complained about the contract and working conditions, who eventually drove Stanley and Simmons to fire him when they accused him of trying to hijack the band.
In the tour program for the band's final tour, Simmons reflected on the tour:
   The Lick It Up tour was a challenge, at least initially, as it was the first tour we did without makeup and I had to re-calibrate from being the fire-spewing Demon with eight-inch heels to a mere mortal playing rock and roll music. But Kiss are survivors. We survived in makeup and out of makeup; we survived all different kinds of music-thrash, disco, dance, grunge, new romance and we survive, persevere and thrive. It means we win! Kiss has always marched to the beat of their own drum.

## Reception

A local reporter who attended the Lakeland performance on December 29, 1983, opened their review by stating that before the removal of the make-up, it was easy to laugh at Kiss - referring to them as clowns that weren't amusing. However, they noted the positivity of the changes in the band's personnel and the band's hopes to retake the lead in the heavy metal industry. They praised the song "I Love It Loud", citing it as a song to capsulize the revitalized band's performance to 6,000 fans that night.
Chuck Gates, a reporter from the Deseret News, who had attended the Salt Palace performance on February 5, 1984, opened his review by stating that the band was 'mediocre then and still is'. He noted on the inclusion of songs from the band's album Lick It Up, but had inquired about the exclusion of the band's two hit songs "Beth" and "I Was Made for Lovin' You". Regarding the stage, he acknowledged the lack of theatrics and makeup, and the absence of both Ace Frehley and Peter Criss - to which he stated that all that was left was a mediocre heavy metal band playing at deafening volumes.
John Laycock from the Windsor Star who had attended the Cobo Arena show opened their review by stating that the band continued to roar without their makeup. He acknowledged the usage of Simmons' fire-breathing effects and the new wave haircuts that band members had. Even with the sight of no makeup, he reported the sturdiness of the band's songs during the performance, as well as noting on how the band's clothes had changed and not the music. He concluded his review, saying that the show remains a vividly staged break from sanity.

## Setlist

These are example setlists of what was performed during the tour on each leg, but may not represent the majority of the tour.

## Tour dates

| Date | City | Country | Venue | Opening Act(s) |
| Europe |||||
| October 11, 1983 | Cascais | Portugal | Pavilhão de Cascais | Helix |
| October 13, 1983 | Madrid | Spain | Pabellón de Deportes del Real Madrid | Helix Tigres de Oro |
| October 14, 1983 | Madrid | Spain | Pabellón de Deportes del Real Madrid | Helix Tigres de Oro |
| October 15, 1983 | San Sebastián | Spain | Velódromo de Anoeta | Helix Tigres de Oro |
| October 16, 1983 | Barcelona | Spain | Palau dels Esports de Barcelona | Helix Tigres de Oro |
| October 18, 1983 | Toulouse | France | Palais des Sports de Toulouse | Helix |
| October 19, 1983 | Clermont-Ferrand | France | Maison des Sports | Helix |
| October 21, 1983 | Leeds | England | Queens Hall | Helix Heavy Pettin' |
| October 22, 1983 | Stafford | England | Bingley Hall | Helix Heavy Pettin' |
| October 23, 1983 | London | England | Wembley Arena | Helix Heavy Pettin' |
| October 24, 1983 | Leicester | England | De Montfort Hall | Helix Heavy Pettin' |
| October 25, 1983 | Poole | England | Poole Arts Center | Helix Heavy Pettin' |
| October 27, 1983 | Glasgow | Scotland | Glasgow Apollo | Helix Heavy Pettin' |
| October 28, 1983 | Edinburgh | Scotland | Edinburgh Playhouse | Helix Heavy Pettin' |
| October 29, 1983 | Newcastle-upon-Tyne | England | Newcastle City Hall | Helix Heavy Pettin' |
| October 31, 1983 | Paris | France | Espace Balard | Helix |
| November 1, 1983 | Offenbach am Main | West Germany | Stadthalle Offenbach | Helix |
| November 2, 1983 | Munich | West Germany | Löwenbräukeller | Helix |
| November 3, 1983 | Basel | Switzerland | St. Jakobshalle | Helix |
| November 4, 1983 | Sindelfingen | West Germany | Messehalle | Helix |
| November 6, 1983 | Neunkirchen am Brand | West Germany | Hemmerleinhalle | Helix |
| November 7, 1983 | Linz | Austria | Linzer Sporthalle | Helix |
| November 8, 1983 | Vienna | Austria | Wiener Stadthalle | Helix |
| November 9, 1983 | Graz | Austria | Eisstadion Liebenau | Helix |
| November 10, 1983 | Essen | West Germany | Grugahalle | Helix |
| November 11, 1983 | Kassel | West Germany | Eissporthalle Kassel | Helix |
| November 12, 1983 | Lille | France | Palais de la Foire | Helix |
| November 13, 1983 | Brussels | Belgium | Forest National | Helix |
| November 15, 1983 | Lausanne | Switzerland | Halle des Fêtes de Beaulieu | Helix |
| November 17, 1983 | Risskov | Denmark | Vejlby-Risskov Hallen | Helix |
| November 18, 1983 | Gothenburg | Sweden | Scandinavium | Helix |
| November 19, 1983 | Stockholm | Sweden | Johanneshovs Isstadion | Helix |
| November 20, 1983 | Malmö | Sweden | Malmö Isstadion | Helix |
| November 21, 1983 | Hillerød | Denmark | Frederiksborg Center | Helix |
| November 23, 1983 | Helsinki | Finland | Helsinki Ice Hall | Helix |
| November 25, 1983 | Oulu | Finland | Oulu-halli | Helix |
| North America |||||
| December 26, 1983 | Atlanta | United States | The Omni Coliseum | Axe Pat Travers Band |
| December 28, 1983 | Augusta | United States | Augusta-Richmond County Civic Center | Axe |
| December 29, 1983 | Lakeland | United States | Lakeland Civic Center | Axe Pat Travers Band |
| December 30, 1983 | Pembroke Pines | United States | Hollywood Sportatorium | Axe Pat Travers Band |
| December 31, 1983 | Jacksonville | United States | Jacksonville Memorial Coliseum | Axe Pat Travers Band |
| January 1, 1984 | Tallahassee | United States | Leon County Civic Center | Axe |
| January 6, 1984 | Birmingham | United States | Boutwell Memorial Auditorium | Vandenberg Riot |
| January 7, 1984 | Memphis | United States | Mid-South Coliseum | Vandenberg Riot |
| January 8, 1984 | New Orleans | United States | Kiefer UNO Lakefront Arena | Vandenberg Riot |
| January 9, 1984 | Biloxi | United States | Mississippi Coast Coliseum | Vandenberg Riot |
| January 10, 1984 | Knoxville | United States | Knoxville Civic Coliseum | Vandenberg Riot |
| January 11, 1984 | Nashville | United States | Nashville Municipal Auditorium | Vandenberg Riot |
| January 13, 1984 | Dallas | United States | Dallas Convention Center | Vandenberg Riot |
| January 14, 1984 | San Antonio | United States | HemisFair Arena | Vandenberg Riot |
| January 16, 1984 | Austin | United States | Palmer Auditorium | Vandenberg Riot |
| January 17, 1984 | San Angelo | United States | San Angelo Coliseum | Vandenberg Riot |
| January 18, 1984 | Houston | United States | Sam Houston Coliseum | Vandenberg Riot |
| January 19, 1984 | Corpus Christi | United States | Corpus Christi Memorial Coliseum | Vandenberg Riot |
| January 21, 1984 | El Paso | United States | El Paso County Coliseum | Vandenberg Riot |
| January 22, 1984 | Albuquerque | United States | Tingley Coliseum | Vandenberg Riot |
| January 23, 1984 | Odessa | United States | Ector County Coliseum | Vandenberg Riot |
| January 25, 1984 | Denver | United States | University of Denver Arena | Vandenberg Riot |
| January 27, 1984 | Long Beach | United States | Long Beach Arena | Vandenberg Riot |
| January 28, 1984 | Las Vegas | United States | Thomas & Mack Center | Vandenberg Riot |
| January 29, 1984 | Fresno | United States | Selland Arena | Vandenberg Riot |
| January 31, 1984 | Reno | United States | Lawlor Events Center | Vandenberg Riot |
| February 1, 1984 | Berkeley | United States | Berkeley Community Theatre | Vandenberg Riot |
| February 2, 1984 | Bakersfield | United States | Bakersfield Civic Auditorium | Vandenberg Riot |
| February 3, 1984 | San Bernardino | United States | Orange Pavilion | Vandenberg Riot |
| February 5, 1984 | Salt Lake City | United States | Salt Palace | Vandenberg Riot |
| February 8, 1984 | Sioux City | United States | Sioux City Municipal Auditorium | Vandenberg High Fever |
| February 9, 1984 | Omaha | United States | Omaha Civic Auditorium | Vandenberg Heaven |
| February 10, 1984 | Milwaukee | United States | Milwaukee Auditorium | Vandenberg Heaven |
| February 11, 1984 | Dubuque | United States | Five Flags Center | Vandenberg Heaven |
| February 12, 1984 | Bloomington | United States | Met Center | Vandenberg Heaven |
| February 14, 1984 | Green Bay | United States | Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena | Vandenberg Heaven |
| February 15, 1984 | Chicago | United States | UIC Pavilion | Vandenberg Heaven |
| February 16, 1984 | Indianapolis | United States | Market Square Arena | Vandenberg Heaven |
| February 17, 1984 | Saginaw | United States | Wendler Arena | Vandenberg Heaven |
| February 18, 1984 | Detroit | United States | Cobo Arena | Vandenberg Heaven |
| February 19, 1984 | Columbus | United States | Battelle Hall | Vandenberg Heaven |
| February 21, 1984 | Trotwood | United States | Hara Arena | Vandenberg Heaven |
| February 22, 1984 | Richfield | United States | Richfield Coliseum | Vandenberg Heaven |
| February 24, 1984 | Worcester | United States | Centrum in Worcester | Accept |
| February 26, 1984 | Hampton | United States | Hampton Coliseum | Accept |
| February 28, 1984 | Baltimore | United States | Baltimore Civic Center | Accept |
| March 1, 1984 | New Haven | United States | New Haven Coliseum | Accept |
| March 3, 1984 | Upper Darby Township | United States | Tower Theater | Accept |
| March 4, 1984 | Pittsburgh | United States | Stanley Theater | Accept |
| March 5, 1984 | Erie | United States | Erie Civic Center | Accept |
| March 7, 1984 | Binghamton | United States | Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena | Accept |
| March 8, 1984 | Poughkeepsie | United States | Mid-Hudson Civic Center | Accept |
| March 9, 1984 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall | Accept |
| March 10, 1984 | New York City | United States | Radio City Music Hall | Accept |
| March 12, 1984 | Quebec City | Canada | Colisée de Québec | Accept |
| March 13, 1984 | Montreal | Canada | Montreal Forum | Accept |
| March 15, 1984 | Toronto | Canada | Maple Leaf Gardens | Accept |
| March 17, 1984 | Evansville | United States | Roberts Municipal Stadium | Accept |

## Personnel

* Paul Stanley – vocals, rhythm guitar
* Gene Simmons – vocals, bass
* Eric Carr – drums, vocals
* Vinnie Vincent – lead guitar, backing vocals