Who is still a KISS Fan ?

Recently I was asked to join a New “KISS Tribute Band” here in MPLS. to be their “Paul Stanley” I accepted, mostly because this is not new to me, I was in a “KISS Tribute” “Black Diamond” from about 1985- 1988 in Des Moines, Iowa. And I Love the Band “KISS” ... heck, who doesn’t ?

As A Life Long fan from 1976 (before “Rock N Roll Over” Nov 1976) I like or love most of stuff that they have done. I personally feel their “Sonic Boom” CD from Oct 2009 is a million times better than the “Revenge” CD from May 1992. I LOVE “Modern Day Delilah” But I Hate that “Revenge” (Metallica knock off) CD and everything about it, Including the Stupid cover.

I am a musician for about 33 years now, I like “KISS” for the music. The 1st time I heard “Sweet Pain” from “Destroyer” Mar 1976, I was hooked I just loved the sound of Gene’s voice, I did not see a photo of the band until after I heard the whole “Destroyer” LP. We were in my neighbor’s front yard, when Jimmy Smith put the speakers in his bedroom window & played the LP to us kids outside in the yard, then Jimmy showed me the Cover, so the music is what 1st hooked me then the Image of the band. I fell in love, summer of ‘76.

I have met all members of KISS, with the exception of Mark St. John, a member from April- Dec 1984. I have seen them about 40 times from 1977 until last year including Solo Tours. I was on the staff for the book “KISS: Alive Forever” 2002 Billboard Books.

I was just asked about how I feel about Gene & Paul touring with 2 newer guys in Peter & Ace’s makeup. While I would like to see Paul solo again or even Gene Solo in concert even more so Peter solo, but I also like to see the band & who ever is in it. I was a shock when Eric Carr joined in July 1980, but then it became exciting hearing “The Elder” Oct 1981 for the 1st time. It was also exciting when the band revealed Vinnie Vincent in Dec 1982 too & hearing “Creatures of the Night” Oct 1983 for the 1st time. To me this showed an established band changing with the times, as apposed to “The Beatles” who just called it quits & released solo LPs from the former members sometimes 3 members per year.

While I would prefer Singer & Thayer have their own Character, like Eric Carr & Vincent did, I understand why they do not, people today want to see Gene & The Concert, they do not care who’s up there any more than they did in Dec 1982 when Vinnie was the New Guy.

As far as the over marketing & merchandising ... so what, don’t buy it if you don’t like it. Most people & fans felt the same way back in 1978, but not my neighbor kid who was 12 in 1978 buying up all that JUNK with the same picture on every item. Some people seem to forget this is how they broke through to an entirely New demographic in the late 70s to become the icons they are today.

As I get older I look back on KISS’s music and realize it was somewhat simple and accessible, to appeal to a younger audience. Even so I still love it, I just look at it different now. Also I do not care who’s in the “Rock N Roll Hall of Fame”, I like who I like, (it’s the same reason I NEVER Listen to Radio) & those who are inducted into the “Hall of Fame” do not make me like their music more, or at all for that matter.... I do not like Donna Summer, Guns N Roses or Beastie Boys & I never will ...

I like KISS and I am still a Fan of whatever they do ....

So this is why I am writing this article to announce a New “KISS Tribute Band” however we will not be playing the same “Hits” KISS performs in concert today, we will be playing my favorite period 1973- 1975,
The Early Years.
Songs like:
Deuce
Strutter
Watchin You
Firehouse
Cold Gin
Love Her All I Can
She/Guitar Solo
100,000 Years/Drum Solo
Nothin To Lose
Black Diamond
Let Me Go Rock N Roll
Rock & Roll All Nite

So in closing if you’re still a KISS Fan like me, then come check us out when we doing our tribute, dates coming soon ..

RLSchwinden aka MrZERo