Mitch Lafon

In June 1980, at age 11, rock journalist (or kid at the time) MITCH LAFON sat down with KISS’ GENE SIMMONS to discuss the following topics ‘Why does KISS wear make-up?’ and what were ‘Gene’s thoughts on bootleggers’. However, the interview starts off with Marianne Stenbaek (Mitch’s mom) speaking with Gene about KISS’ ‘new’ album UNMASKED, their new style in music and concert presentation, and was KISS more about the show than the music. Gene, for his part, brings up The KISS World travelling amusement park, The KISS Unmasked World Tour, The ‘possibility’ of a Peter Criss solo album and answers the question on everybody’s mind back in those days – why did Peter Criss leave?

The interview took place at AUCOIN management in New York City (June 1980) and Gene was NOT wearing make-up. Interestingly, Peter had left the band, but Eric Carr had not been publicly named as his replacement yet. Also, the July 25th 1980 ‘Palladium’ show in NYC was more than a month away. In this video, I have included a picture of the signed PROMO vinyl album that Gene handed my mom (and signed to her) as well as my ticket to the July 25th 1980 PALLADIUM show.