Emma Swain | Mercury

Does anyone happen to have Paul Stanley’s boots?

The Australian arm of the worldwide KISS Army is on a nationwide search to find a pair of boots belonging to he of the excruciatingly tight pants and painted face.

And it’s a search that has led right here to Maitland.

During a KISS tour to Australia in 1979, a pair of Stanley’s knee-high boots was given away on Donnie Sutherland’s hit music show Sounds Unlimited. As it turns out the lucky winner of the boots was a fresh-faced young man from Maitland.

“We’re desperately trying to find his man (who was about 19 years old at the time) because these boots are highly sought after,” Steve Corbett, 5 Star Sergeant Major with the KISS Army, said.

“At this stage we have a few leads but nothing substantial.

“There is definitely some footage somewhere locked away on an old VHS cassette so we’re on a mission.   I can actually remember watching that particular episode.”

If the boots are unearthed, Mr Corbett said they will feature in an exhibition of KISS memorabilia.

It will be held in New York City later this year to commemorate the 40th anniversary since the band first took to the stage.

“These boots are pretty important because after that particular tour the guys changed their costume,” Mr Corbett, of Geelong, in Victoria, said.

“So we want them to borrow or buy, whatever the price. We’re just concerned they have ended up in a tip somewhere. They are highly sought after across the globe.

“We also don’t want them to end up in a private collection where no one can see them.”

Mr Corbett said the KISS Army is also looking for other pieces of KISS memorabilia for the exhibition.

For more information email Steve Corbett at steve.cor1329@gmail.com.