KISS Forever Fan Stories.
We all have our own stories of our KISS experiences. We buy the albums, listen to KISS religiously, and would defend KISS to the death to the non-believer. We are the KISS Army and these are our stories.
"Gene Knew I Was Alive!"
By Eddie (24) NC
On July 25, 1990, I saw KISS live for the first time. It was very memorable for me. I knew it was Eric Carr's 10th KISS Anniversary and I wondered if they would mention it onstage. Later in the show they did
and Eric came out from behind his drums to take a bow. I only saw Eric once more after this.
Also, it was my first concert of any band, and I was 2nd row center stage. That will spoil anybody! I noticed that this drunk idiot in front of me kept trying to get the band's attention by waving his new
t-shirt around. Well, I copied him.
I had bought my shirt before KISS's set and unbelievably, Gene was wearing the same exact one! The white HITS shirt with the sphinx and the band standing in water. He noticed it too! He pointed at me, then pointed at his shirt and nodded. He knew I was alive! He's been my idol ever since! I'll never stop supporting Gene or KISS.
Email: EMH75@webtv.net
"I Will Be A Fan Forever"
By Bob Henry (30) Tokyo, Japan
In 1978, I was 9 years old and all the older kids
in my neighborhood were into KISS. When one of them showed me the Alive 2 record, I was in awe of the pictures on the cover; and when I heard the music...I was hooked.
In the early '80's, all of my friends gave up on KISS; but they were still my favorite. Everyone told me that KISS was a joke. "KISS makes shitty records now", they said. But I didn't agree.
By the time I was old enough to go to a concert, KISS already had their make-up off. So, as much as I enjoyed the Animalize, and Crazy Nights tours, I
always dreamed about seeing them in make-up. So, needless to say, I was very excited when I got
to see them for the Reunion tour (on Jan. 18, 1997 at
the Tokyo Dome (I moved to Japan in 1990).
I've noticed that many people suddenly became fans
again when the original band reunited and put the make-up back on, and now they're dropping KISS again now that the novelty has worn off. But, I will be a fan forever.
Email: partyof5@gol.com
"How I Became A KISS Fan"
By Ryan Ormsby (15) Fort Wayne, Indiana
I remember the first time I saw and heard KISS. My dad had the ALIVE! 2 album and when he showed it to me I was stunned to see the cool make-up and the fireworks in the inside of the album cover. He said, " Do you want to hear them play?" I had him waste no time in putting it on the turntable for me to hear.
The very first song I heard was "Detroit Rock City". From then on I was loving the music.It was when they played the New Year's Eve Party in New York that I heard "Rock And Roll All Nite". I nearly dropped dead when I saw them for the first time ever in my whole life.
It was the coolest thing I had ever seen before. I have not had the chance to see them in concert but I am going to the 2000 tour for sure. I hope I can remember some more KISS experiences so that I can share them with you.
Email: SpaceAce310
"The 1st Time I Saw KISS In Concert"
By Joseph (15) Miami, Florida
I am 15 yrs old and I have been a KISS fan since I was 5 years old. I always dreamed of seeing KISS live in makeup. On september 17, 1996, I got my chance! I was so excited! I couldnt believe I was actually going to see KISS live in makeup. This was my first concert.
As soon as the lights dimmed, I got butterflies in my stomach. And then, "Alright Miami, You Wanted The Best, You Got The Best, The Hottest Band In The World ... KISS! And then "Deuce" came on, I got the chills. Its a feeling I probably will never have again. It's un explanable.
As "Rock And Roll All Night" ended, I had doubts that, that was the last time I would see KISS in concert. But I was wrong, I saw them in Orlando, FL (Psycho Circus Tour). I was supposed to see them twice, but they canceled the Miami show for some strange reason. Once again, KISS rocked the house! Proving that they are and always will be the greatest band in the world.
Email: Cmplainr5
"Everything I Had Ever Imagined"
By Gene Gaudio, (31) Stamford, CT
On July 26, 1996, I saw KISS at Madison Square Garden for the first time. It was the culmination of a slow, but growing infection of KISSMania! I first became aware of KISS back in the 70's, but I was too young to appreciate them. I hadn't developed my own taste in music yet.
I became aware of KISS again in 1984 when I saw a video for "Heaven's on Fire" on MTV. I was a little taken back by this. They didn't have makeup on, but they were still around. In 1985, as my interest in hard rock and metal soared to new heights, I would see KISS videos from the Asylum album on MTV's "Heavy Metal
Mania" (back in the days when MTV played music videos!. I thought that these new KISS songs were okay, but not earth-shattering.
In high school, I heard some kids talking about KISS' 70's music. One kid sing the opening riff to "Detroit Rock City" This aroused my curiousity about the "make-up" days. I picked up a tape of the Destroyer album soon after. As soon as "Detroit Rock City" came blasting through the speakers, I was hooked. As far as I was concerned, this was the real KISS! The non-makeup albums were nothing to me.
The next tape that I picked up was Double Platinum. Over the next few years, this album grew more and more on me. Throughout most of my high school and college years, my energies (and a great deal of money!) was devoted to Metallica (still my favorite band).
KISS sort of took a back seat because I didn't think there was a chance in Heaven or Earth that the original line-up would ever reunite.
After college, I finally bought a CD player. Among the first CD's I purchased was "Alive!". This was the album that finally turned me into a full-fledged KISS fanatic. When the Unplugged show took place a couple of
years later, I was shocked to see Ace and Peter join them. When the Reunion Tour was announced there was no question that I would be there to see it. When the date of July 25 at Madison Square Garden was announced, I quickly assembled the group that was to go.
On the morning that tickets went on sale for that show, I was not able to call up to buy the tickets, so I asked my brother-in-law (one of the attendees) to buy the tickets. He later called me to tell me that he got tickets to the next show because the first night sold out in minutes! KISS Fever was in the air!
Finally, it was time for the show! I met everyone at the arena. The group was comprised of myself, my brother-in-law, and two of his friends who were
both 70's era fans. We sat in the Mezzanine section directly facing the stage. The energy and excitement that was in the air that night was unlike anything I had ever experienced before in my life. I could feel my
adrenaline building up to a fever pitch. When the house lights went out, the whole place erupted (myself included).
When the announcement "New York City! You wanted the best! You got the best! The hottest band in the world,
KISSSSSSSSS!!" came on, and KISS launched into the opening riff of "Deuce", I stood up and never sat down for the rest of the show! I thought that I was going to blast off through the roof!
It was everything that I had ever imagined about a KISS concert plus a whole lot more! I would see them two more times on the Reunion Tour and twice on the Psycho Circus tour, but that first show will always retain a special place in my memory. Thanks, Joe. You helped me put everything back into perspective!
Email: GGaudio@skandia.com
"KISSed 4 The 1st Time!"
By John Johnson (24) Memphis, TN
I was 4 years old, I lived in Chicago & I was watching the Bozo Show back in 1980! When the show went to a commercial they showed the "Unmasked" Album commercial & I had no idea who they were or anything about them at all! I just knew that the Commercail was cool looking & I had to have that album!!!
When my Dad came home from work that day he took me to a Record store named "Peaches" & they had only 1 copy left on 8-track & I bought it! I was so excited to have it in my hands! I couldn't wait to play it when we got back home! I put it in the player & BOOM out came the Greatest Sound I had ever heard! It was "Is That You" I was blown away at 4 years old! It was the 1st KISS Song that I had ever heard.
I've been a KISS Fan ever since & I will always be one even when I'm dead & gone! I live, eat, sleep & breath KISS 24 7!!!!! I still have the "Unmasked" 8-Track to this day! 20 years ago & at only 4 years old I can still remember that day back in 1980 like it was yesterday! I just wanna thank KISS for everything that they have done for the last 27 Years & without them there would be NO tomorrow!!!!!
Email: EMH75@webtv.net
"Sad KISS Story"
By Dave (35) Pasadena, CA
Back in 1978 three friends and myself were going to see Kiss perform and film a concert scene,[Phantom of the Park] at magic mountain in so. cal., we were being driven by my friends dad and the car broke down and we never made it to the show. Four 13 year olds crying literally.
Since that day in 1978 I have seen Kiss 28 times but I still get bummed about missing that show. I will be sad beyond belief when the farewell tour is done and I will probably never see Kiss again, but believe me I will never forget the fun times I've had over the years being a Kiss fan and interacting with other Kiss fans.
Kiss fans truly are a unique group of people and I will probably miss that almost as seeing my favorite band perform live, [well almost], Kiss Army Till Death!
Email: GSimmonss@aol.com
Want to submit a KISS Story? Just e-mail me the story and include your Name, Age, and State. Thanks.
Email: disel24@aol.com
