KISS Has Influenced My Life
By: Thomas Frauenhoffer

I have been a KISS fan since 1975. I can remember the 1st time I saw the cover of ALIVE. When I heard the music I felt a sense of common interest. I don't look at KISS as a band that spoke to me, rather a band that had the same views I had. They were unique in there presentation which made me feel I could be different and it didn't matter. I also had battle scars for my support of KISS when all others were into FOGHAT and ZEPPLIN.

I lived in Detroit in 75 and had tickets to the COBO HALL concert, but my father stopped me from going because he felt KISS was a bad influence. Funny thing about my DAD, he was the bad influence with his drinking and abuse towards my mom. KISS represented to me the normal kid stuff, women, fun, women, loud music and women. Nothing negative in their messages, just fun.

I've watched KISS go from obscure to massive fame and loved them ever since. The fact that they've had line up changes doesn't bother me because KISS will always be Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. Relationships fall apart, that's life. If you don't like what they do, then don't by their albums. These are two guys that built an empire and now get bashed because their on EBAY. Come on, give them a break. What do you want from them, a free concert in your backyard because you bought all their albums and you went to all their concerts?

I 've seen this band all over the world as a result of my military life and career choice and can complain not once. I was at the concert in Baltimore on one of just a few dates where Mark St John played and loved every minute of it. I had such a love for this band that I have my whole family interested in them. Not because there KISS fans, but because they know what this band means to me and it gives them pleasure that they take part in my loyalty to them.

I can remember a paperback book that was written about the band in 1978 that my mom read and her comments to me were these guys are fighters, they believed in there dream and took NO for an answer. She told that if this is what kept me going then I had all her support. I still live my life by those beliefs and not so much thank KISS for what they've done, but what they believed. By the way, if anyone knows where I can get a copy of that book I would really appreciate it.

Now as I'm pushing 40, I have since introduced my son to the band. I now live in Jacksonville, Fl and went to a concert there during there reunion. Doc delivered to my son a pick from Ace because he was wearing KISS make up. Now my son was floored. He looked at me and asked why he was given a pick. I told him that it was because they liked his spirit. This from a kid who has met almost every Jacksonville Jaguar football player and they know him by name.

The point is, no matter what KISS is doing, they still are the greatest band in the world. We are fans, not family. We're entitled to great music, over the top concerts, and great memories. They brought to us the idea of believing in ourselves, and we take it and go from there. Don't begrudge them for their success, after all... we brought them here. They're entitled to whatever they get.

For all of those fans who want to bash KISS or have polls on KISS without ACE, go on, you're not true fans. Those who ridicule Paul Stanley for wanting to pursue theater, go on, you're not fans either. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

WHAT WOULD YOUR LIFE BE LIKE IF THERE WAS NO " KISS " ? Think about it..... quit your BITCHIN!!!!

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