A Twisted Fan's Opinions
By: Jim Borgic

No, I'm not some ignoramous who's gonna write really twisted stuff about Marylyn Manson, Britney Spears, and a jar of peanut butter.....

Wow, I must say this is a strange time to be a KISS fan. I mean it's almost over. I don't know whether it's too soon or too late. To start off with. Just the other day, I rented Detroit Rock City. Never seeing it before, I didn't know what to expect. I for one liked the movie, especially the beginning credits. I didn't love the movie and I would have if the concert scene at the end would have went 4-5 songs, and it could have been done too. The movie only ran only a little over an hour and a half. They could have fit in at least two songs, oh well. The only other complaint I had was I kept thinking that maybe only one of the main characters seemed like a KISS fan. Most KISS fans don't act the way these characters acted (antisocial stoners). They seemed more like Black Sabbath fans, although that's not a knock on Black Sabbath in any way. Anyway, that's old news, but I will say the movie was fun to watch, meaning, it entertained me and that's all that counts.

Same goes for KISS themselves. Over a long period of time, they have entertained me and I think the farewell tour thus far, from what I've seen has been fairly entertaining, which again, is all that counts. Unfortunately, it is the last tour and I'm afraid I won't even get to see it, being unemployed at this point without a credit card or the decent means of getting somewhere to buy the tickets (radiator leak). Besides the tickets are probably sold out, it being the final appearance. I live smack in the middle of Illinois and I think they'll be in St. Louis sometime soon, if not already, I'm trying not to pay attention. I don't wanna know, it will make it easier to cope with the fact that I'm not going. There's always the Rockford show next month. Don't count me out yet.

I was watching the KISS My Ass video last night and thinking as I watched a performance of "Shock Me" from the Love Gun tour. I was thinking, "Man, they've aged a lot since then," especially Ace and Gene. I think Paul and Peter have aged well facially. Alas, though, Peter has a bad back and arms. I think Ace has the best stamina live at this point in time. So, my point is, maybe for KISS it's the best to end it now the way they are. But, for the fans, I'm not sure. I have to see them in concert before they call it quits. I always get screwed out of seeing them, maybe that's why I liked the movie DRC so much, I could really relate to those characters. The thing I'm trying to get at though is, I think the average KISS fan wants another album. Sure, I'll buy Ace and Peters solo material, it's the closest thing to new KISS music I'll ever get my hands and ears on. I feel like a chapter in my life is closing. I'll continue to listen and watch KISS (via videotape) and carry on, but I know there will never be another KISS and they'll always be my favorite band. One thing I always keep in mind, is that, even after the Beatles broke up, their popularity continued and still continues to grow. The Beatles, though, weren't a live band. KISS always was and sadly they're going away. I only pray that they continue to release stuff from time to time to keep us die hards happy. The box set is something I for one am really looking forward to. I hope it's done the right way, though.

The way I feel about the band right now, it's positive. I'll remember the good things more than the bad. I believe that KISS has changed a lot over the years, maybe not for the better when it comes right down to it, but I don't care. I personally know for a fact that they could never out do themselves. I really think we've seen the best they have to offer already. No matter what they do, they will never live up to their legacy, so maybe they have stayed at the dance too long. You could almost compare them to actors or pro athletes or even pro wrestlers. As far as actors, I believe Clint Eastwood has stayed around for too long. There are far too many athletes to name. But a few months back, I was sitting around watching pro wrestling and the person who stood out like a sore thumb was Hulk Hogan. Here's a man that stayed around way too long and he's so old he just looks silly. He'll never live up to his history. His climax was a match with Andre the Giant from Wrestlemania 3 from 1987 in front of 90+ fans. KISS were at their high point on the Love Gun tour. I never thought I would compare KISS to Hulk Hogan, but those are big names. All of the fans that idolized Hulk Hogan growing up now despise him because he stayed around too long and wore out his welcome.

Judging from most of these Sound Offs, maybe some KISS fans feel that way about KISS. Don't let it happen fans, that's all I ask. Don't hate them for the setbacks and disappointments. Try to remember the good, not the bad. Maybe this is the reason KISS is going to call it quits, so that they don't wear out their welcome any more. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt and I'm still a huge KISS fan. I'll remember all the good memories and forget about the bad things. I personally have not been disappointed with anything they've done. But that's just me. Maybe this is the perfect time for KISS to step down, before they become like Elvis or Hulk Hogan. Elvis is what I'm talking about. His fans have remained loyal although he really looked bad(in more than one sense) at the end of his career. Do you think his fans, especially fans of his early stuff care about all of that? No, he was good to them more often than not. When a family member dies, does the family remember all their fights or how much money they owed them? Remember the good, not the bad. They've changed as people just like all of us. They make mistakes and they are human afterall.

I don't want to step on anyone's opinion. I'm sure at the end we're all just KISS fans anyway. Don't let a couple bad years spoil the other 20+ though. That's what I tell myself. So, in conclusion, I am happy with the band. Oh yeah, one more thing, about the Auctions. That's one thing that saddens me. Gene and Paul must feel differently, though. I wouldn't have done it, but I'm not Gene or Paul. I'm not happy with everything they do, but overall, I like what they've done over the years. Started a legacy, now they're finishing it. Art is immortal. KISS is immortal. Gene, Paul, Ace, Peter, Eric, Vinnie, Mark, Bruce and Eric gave it life. What if the band had never formed? Would life carry on as usual or would there be something missing? Probably, but we're fortunate. It's amazing, a band living in a loft from New York City turned into a larger than life band that we all obsess with. Maybe success went to their heads, but the way they treated us over the years, maybe that went to our heads.

Thank you for reading this whoever and wherever you are. I just though I'd give my perspective on things. I have unusual theories and opinions and not just on KISS. I still can't believe I mentioned Hulk Hogan in a KISS essay. KISS never told us to say our prayers and eat our vitamins, but they did sing about "hanging and banging". Let's have a poll shall we? Should Hogan be forced to lose a match to the Demon?

P.S. I'm only 20, that's why I'm not very smart and have stupid theories about Hulk Hogan and Elvis. Email me if you want my opinion on something, not just KISS.

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