Introductory Post
Why hello! Welcome to my little corner of the internet where I will use this space to post my KISS observations, post links, music vids, and other types of media. I hope to connect with like-minded fans. I realized that after the passing of our Spaceman that I needed to do something to process this new reality. I am returning to Tumblr after so many years which means I am a fandom old. I guess that makes me a member of The Elder? Read below if you would like to know more.....
My Twitter Account
1.How long have you been a fan?
I have been a fan for over 25 years. I am a fandom old. I wasn't around for the OG band in the 70s. My first introduction was seeing ads for the Reunion Tour. I didn't get it then. I do remember watching the MadTV Halloween special with my cousin the night it aired. I remember hearing "Detroit Rock City", "Love Gun" and "Shout it out loud" on cassette in my mother's car. It wasn't until I heard "Hard Luck Woman" in 2000 that I finally 'got it'. I was able to tell this to the original Catman, Peter Criss himself when I met him at the LA KISS Expo in 2017. The bonus was meeting Bruce and Ken Kelly at the same time.
Feel free to reblog and add your own info!
I was too young for KISS Otaku and the Asylum boards but I was there when the original KOL site was launched and it had message boards. Crazy times. Since then I ventured to other forums. I remember browsing Lynn's KISS Dominion, Space Ace Online, Frehleygirl's Hideaway, KSS Fan Site. Eventually I found my way to KISSFAQ where I am still semi regular and just discovered the KISS Reddit forum. I remember when Fanfiction.net even had a band section and I do remember reading some of the KISS fanfics posted there. I used to read those fics until FF.net decided to purge all NC-17 and RPF content. It was a sad day. I didn't get my KISS fanfic fix again until around 2009 when I discovered the kiss_slash community. It was like striking gold. I am returning to Tumblr after so many years. I used to have a different handle but that was for other fandoms. I left Tumblr around 2019 because I found the site too political and then I saw doxxing. I am over it. I saw what it did to a friend and I decided to cut back on my socials.
2.Favorite albums
Dynasty, Elder, Love Gun
3. Favorite band member
Ace Frehley. I initially was into Peter because of Hard Luck Woman but eventually I gravitated towards Ace. There was something about this androgynous looking guitar player that stood out to me. LOL.
4. Favorite era
Reunion era with Psycho Circus and then Farewell Tour. This is mainly because this was my first exposure to them.
5.Favorite KISS memory/memories
Oh, geez. Too many. I do remember skipping school when the box set was announced in 2001. I met Gene and Paul in their Destroyer outfits at Tower Records on Sunset. I was able to meet Gene two more times within that year. The second time was for his autobiography at Book Soup and then in July for the Dark Horse comic release. A part of the fun was meeting and talking to other fans. Another fun memory was meeting Peter Criss, Bruce Kulick, and Ken Kelly on the same day. Of course, I would say that the best memory I have was meeting Ace himself at Amoeba Records in LA on April 18, 2009.
6. Favorite KISS book
I would say that it is a tie between Paul and Peter's. I liked Paul because I felt that it was the most honest and critical. You can tell that Paul curated it and made it so that he omitted some things. I still enjoyed it because it had heart and he was self analytical. Peter's was good to. I had to put it down a few times because I couldn't stop laughing. Quite a few times I had to process what I had just read. Gene's was good too but it's been more than 20 years since I have read it. Ace's was good too but it was vague. This is due to his memory lapse but I also think that this is because he didn't want to sling any mud at anyone.
7. Concerts you have been to
2003-KISS and Aerosmith two times. The first was in Chula Vista on October 18, 2003 and the other was in LA at the Forum exactly two months later on December 18, 2003. I will never forget seeing Joe Perry wearing the boots. LOL. What a highlight! It was a great way to remember my senior year in high school. The next time I saw them was in 2004 for the Rock the Nation. The last show I went to was the Farewell show in LA in February 2019. When I can, I will share photos.
Ace Frehley-Rocket Ride Tour in March 2008 at the House of Blues in LA . The next time was at the Saban Theater in March 2016 with Lita Ford.
8. If you could go back in time and see a show/s, which one would it be?
1975 with Black Sabbath
1977-with ACDC
1989-with Vixen
1996 with Alice in Chains
9. Have you met any members of KISS
Yes, I have.
Gene Simmons-4 times. The first was the box set signing in LA on November 20, 2001. Then I met him again two more times within that year at Book Soup for his book and then in July for the Dark Horse Comic at Things from Another World at Universal Citywalk.
Paul Stanley-3 times. The first was with Gene at the box set signing, the second was for Nothing to Lose at Barnes and Noble, and the last time was for his autobiography. Charming man and very attentive. I cried when I left. LOL.
Ace Frehley-3 times. The first was at Amoeba Records in Hollywood, CA on April 18, 2009. I think I remember finding out the night before and then I called the store to confirm. I got there the next day and there was a line. He personalized my copy of his '78 solo album. I met him again at his Anomaly release party. The last time was for his book release at Book Soup. The eerie coincidence was that it was on November 20, 2011 exactly ten years to the day I met Gene and Paul across the street at Tower Records. I remember a lot of fans commenting about that.
Peter Criss-LA KISS Expo in January 2017. He is a total sweetheart. I think age has mellowed out the old puddytat. He was very appreciative of the artwork I gave him. I find it ironically hilarious that the biggest asshole of the group is now the most chill.
Bruce Kulick-LA KISS Expo 2017. The same one as Peter. If you look up the word "class" in the dictionary, his picture is right next to it. His wife, Lisa was so sweet.
Anything else/extra/etc.
I hope to connect with other fans over this silly band that has brought us joy.