The KISS memorabilia started when I had a friend who was the manager of a Spencer's store. The first thing I bought was a guitar-shaped gumball holder, which I still have unopened. My collection quickly grew from that point on.
KISS is a band that has been going for nearly 40 years. The started the year before I was born and are still going strong. They have 40 albums.
But for me, it's about the music. I remember the first time I heard one of their songs, "Shout It Out Loud" from the Destroyer album, I was hooked. Destroyer was the first album I bought on vinyl LP. Destroyer had a song on the b-side that really took off in the 80's when Eric Carr redid it, "Beth".
I sucked up every bit if trivia I could find, most of which was odd little tidbits. One of which is that Gene never had anything done to his tongue, but he has had other "members" reduced in size.
I know the full line-up of the band. It has had some interesting ups and downs.
It started with Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. Gene saw an ad in Rolling Stone placed by Peter Criss, a drummer “looking to do anything to make it”. January of 1973, Ace Frehley joins the band. The band takes off shortly there after and makes it big.
1980 rolls around, and creative conflicts almost spell the end. Each member puts out their own album under KISS and Peter Criss leaves the band. Eric's symbol is the fox. Eric Carr replaces him and is the drummer until his death in November 24, 1991.
1981, Ace Frehley leaves the band and is replaced by Vinnie Vincent. Vinnie's symbol is the Egyptian ankh. Vinnie leave in 1984 and is replaced by Mark St.John.
Mark St.John only does one album, Animalize. While on tour, Mark becomes ill and can't continue so Bruce Kulick took his place. Bruce stayed with KISS until 1996 when the original members of KISS decided to do a reunion tour.
Ok, enough rambling...
I guess the main reason I chose to collect KISS stuff was the sense of family that KISS Army has. From the 80's on, you could find long time KISS fans bringing their kids to the shows.
The last KISS concert I went to, in 2004, at least a 1/4 of the people there were under the age of 18.
It was also a very emotional concert for me. One of my younger sisters, who has serious heart problems, had wanted to goto a KISS concert with me before she died. I had some unexpected money come in, so I bought tickets for her, me and Darren, on of my partners, nearly center, half way back, of the venue.
It now includes:
Peter Criss Teddy Bear
2 sets of Lego - 1 with blood on Gene's face
1 set of book ends
1 water fountain
1 chip and dip bowl set
2 Halloween mask
1 lunchbox w/thermos
1 thermos
4 musical jack-in-the-boxes
6 small statue busts
1 mouse pad
1 metal lithograph sign
1 cover art print
1 small flag
1 small limited numbered statue
1 6ft wall poster
1 foldout xmas poster
1 bottle of Red Wine - Unopened
2 glass ball xmas ornaments
3 Packages of Incense
Complete Set of Psycho Circus Action Figures (1 signed)
Complete Set of KISS Alive Action Figures
CDs:
Double Platinum
Music From The Elder
Creatures Of The Night
Asylum
Crazy Nights
Smashes, Thrashes And Hits
Hot In The Shade
Revenge
KISS My Ass
MTV Unplugged
Psycho Circus
The Box Set
Carnival Of Souls: The Final Sessions
Greatest KISS
Limited Edition - KISS 15 years on
"Let's Put The 'X' In Sex" CD/Video single
Rock the Nation 2004 Concert CD From Clark County Amphitheater
Tapes:
Peter Criss
Killers
Music From The Elder
T-shirts
2003 Reunion Tour
Psycho Circus Tour
baby-doll shirt & pants set
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