The Magic Was & Always Will Be Within Us
By: Bill Marshall

I have never written into one of these type forums before, but after reading many of the articles already posted, I felt I just had to put in my two cents worth before the Boys say their final goodbye.

I have been a fan since 1976, when my older brother brought home Alive!, slapped in on the turntable, and made me listen to it. The rest, as they say, was history. Unlike a lot of fans, I initially got hooked by the music. My brother had loaned out the album cover to a friend to use as a go by to do an art project for school, so it was a few weeks before I actually saw what they looked like. But, of course, when he finally brought it home and I got a chance to see the people who created this awesome music, I was a fan for life.

I have bought every album (some several times, in different formats, on the way to having all of them on CD), and have loved all (including Peter's solo album and Unmasked, which is in my car CD player right now). One of my favorites is The Elder, so that should prove I am a die hard fan. I had hundreds of posters and magazines, the board game, the dolls, and the bubble gum cards. If they release a Box Set, I will by that too (unless it's a really big, expensive, "greatest hits" package). I have seen the band six times, and will be in attendance on 08/22/00 for their final Houston show. Older or not, they still put on the best show in the business. And, like it or not, it is exactly that, a business.

Like many, I am not thrilled by everything they decide to slap a logo on, but, as many have also said, I just do not buy that stuff which I do not like. I can understand why it seems to upset so many, though, because it makes it a little harder to get people to respect them with so much garbage out. Because we love and respect the fantasy so much, we want others to as well. But, on the other hand, some of it is really quality stuff, whether you like it or not. To each his/her own, and, in the end, isn't that what they are really all about.

Everyone has their favorite member, favorite album, favorite outfit, favorite tour, etc. And, because of all of the time, money, love and years invested, we all feel we have a right to bitch and moan if we don't like something. Yet, at the same time, we feel proud when they do something really great or receive some sort of major recognition. It vindicates us for our faith and belief. But we are growing up and older, as they are.

There is no more wondering what they look like. No more mystery. A major part of the fantasy is over. And what part time did not reveal, the Internet has shoved down our throats. But, who cares. Why can't everyone just realize one thing: they are human and they make mistakes. The magic was and always will be within us, not them.

They can be assholes and selfish, just like all of us. You might not like all of them if you met them in person and had to spend some time with them. But, in the beginning, and today, is it really about them? Of course not, it's about us, and our fantasies. And if people can't shut up and let this be, it will ruin that forever.

I could not care less if Gene is a womanizing asshole out to make a buck, or if that is the just way the media has chosen to portray him. Who cares? There are a lot worse people in the public eye than he. At least he is honest about who he is. As far as I am concerned, just put on the damn make-up and do your thing. I wouldn't care if he put the logo on diapers, if they would just go back into the studio and make a really great CD without all of the bullshit. But I am also realistic enough to know that will probably never happen.

I truly believe this is the last tour and Psycho Circus, for better or worse, will probably be the last recording. Why? Why not. They make more off the merchandise, without all of the costs of recording studios and stages, than they ever did off of records, so why bother. Will they ever do a one time concert here or there? Maybe, but I hope not. Even as well as Paul has aged, they are starting to look really silly, and Peter's getting just too damn old for it. Let it end with a bang and not a laugh.

They are four individuals who came together with separate dreams of rock-n-roll fame, but we are the masses who came together as one to make that dream a reality. They may not fully realize that, but we do, and we'll just have to be happy with that and our memories. There will never be another KISS, so please stop dragging the only one we have through the mud.

Peace

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