News Archive March 2009
From: KISSonline.com
by Doug Cataldo
Posted: March 17, 2009
Music is a big part of people's lives, and while some are content to throw a CD into a player or hit their favorite playlist on their iPod, fans of the band KISS have a different kind of escape - the KISS Convention. On March 15th several hundred KISS fans filled the Holiday Inn Indianapolis East for the 2009 Indy KISS Expo.
Fans of all ages came to pick up the latest tour gear, grab a t-shirt or ten, find that elusive LP or CD, listen to a KISS tribute band (Mr. Speed was the choice at this event), and mix and mingle with other KISS fans. The band is currently in the studio recording brand new tracks for the first time since their 1998 release Psycho Circus. There was an energy level at this show that showed the band is still going strong 35 years after their first album hit stores. Perhaps it is the excitement about a new record or the fact that the band is soon to embark upon one of their explosive tours. Whatever the case, fans came out of the woodwork for this particular event.
The fans were treated to a lot of activities that were new to the KISS Convention scene. First, former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick was there to sign autographs and chat with fans. Usually Bruce would hang out, sign autographs and take some questions, but Bruce had a different agenda this time around. He brought a gallery of photos and videos from a European tour he just returned from with current KISS drummer Eric Singer and the rest of their side project - the band known as the Eric Singer Project or for short, ESP. They played several gigs and traveled all over, and Bruce showed different sites and architecture from all of the places they visited. We also got to see some behind-the-scenes, candid shots of the band just having fun.
After Bruce's presentation, KISSonline's Keith Leroux brought out some never-before-seen video footage from his personal collection to give fans a treat they will remember for a long time to come. For a non-KISS fan, it's hard to understand -- these guys have a special relationship with their fans. Many follow them around the entire planet. I've traveled many times to the oddest places just to see them perform or make a personal appearance over the past 30+ years, but my travels pale in comparison to others that will drop whatever it is they are doing and hit the road. When you make the journey with friends, between the concert experiences, and the craziness of getting from one place to another in time for the next show can be mind boggling, but in the end, it becomes an adventure you'll never forget. You'll have stories to tell your grandchildren about!
So Keith unearthed some of those adventures for the very first time, including the band surprising the guests of the Nagoya, Japan Hilton Hotel by walking around the lobby of the hotel in full makeup and costume and proceeding to take over the place -- including Paul and Tommy joining the house band for a song. These clips are priceless and Leroux promised that these clips and more will eventually be available on KISSonline.com. So stay tuned!
At this particular convention, there was also a raffle for a special prize and a special cause. PAUL STANLEY, lead singer of the legendary rock band KISS, donated an autographed signature model Washburn guitar to assist the Fishers, Indiana fourth grade Youth Travel Baseball Team - the HSE Fishers Cats! 100% of all proceeds from sales of raffle tickets will go to the team and they brought in over $2,200! Several people were purchasing $40, $50 or $100 worth of tickets to win the amazing guitar, but the lucky winner was Mr. Speed drummer - Andrew Sgambati, who immediately announced that he'd promised one of his Mr. Speed band mates that he'd give it to him if he won. A stunned audience watched Andrew pass the guitar over with a smile!
By then end of the night, people were still packed into the hall as tribute band Mr. Speed played a set of lesser-heard KISS favorites...
The $20 fee to attend a KISS expo and enjoy a day of non-stop fun is worth every penny. For me, it was great to catch up with my friends -- my extended family, if you will. Many of us share a common mindset that stretches far beyond KISS, but our dedication to the band is what brought us all together. Those moments where our families get together (after all these years, many of us with a young crop of KISS Kids in tow!) share stories and catch up with one another are priceless.
