Enter to Win with Three Sides of the Coin
Lets celebrate on Three Sides of the Coin!
We are giving away three prize packs:
Grand Prize: Weenie Roast Show Program (very first show by the reunited KISS), Three Sides of the Coin t-shirt, 1 Three Sides black guitar pick, 1 Three Sides white guitar pick
First Prize: KISS Photo Pack, Three Sides of the Coin t-shirt, 1 Three Sides black guitar pick, 1 Three Sides white guitar pick
Second Prize: Three Sides of the Coin t-shirt
To enter just answer this questions in the comments below… KISS is celebrating 40 years, in those 40 years what is you biggest personal KISS memory?
Rules:
1. To enter you must register with ThreeSidesOfTheCoin.com and leave a comment on this post.
2. Only ONE entry per person, multiple entries will be disqualified.
3. The email you enter when you register must be valid, that is how we will contact you if you win.
4. All entries in the contest acknowledge that your email will be added to the ThreeSidesOfTheCoin.com email list. You are free to unsubscribe at any time.
5. Contest is open to US residents only.
6. No purchase is required.
7. We will select a winner on May 1, 2014.
8. Winner will be notified by email. If the winner does not acknowledge winning the contest in 48 hours, we will select a new winner.
Charles Morgan
April 5, 2014 at 3:43 pm #
Three Sides…Rawks! Thanks for doing what you guys do!
rodwilliams68
April 5, 2014 at 3:48 pm #
Great show guys. It’s the only thing that ever made me look forward to tuesdays.
MitchD
April 5, 2014 at 4:09 pm #
Cool! (Fingers crossed!)
Brian
April 5, 2014 at 4:16 pm #
Listening to Alive 2 in kindergarten. On the little record player.
jarrad
April 5, 2014 at 4:30 pm #
Hope i win this.it would be so worth it
Arnold "Arnie" Slater
April 5, 2014 at 5:04 pm #
I Met Gene Simmons after the World Domination Tour in Bristow Va. He was signing Books at a local bookstore in Rockville Maryland.(my hometown). When it came to my turn in line Gene called me by name out loud: “Arnie, Where’s Arnie?”….i got the biggest smile on my face! I felt like a kid Gene greeted me and gave me a real handshake and put his arm around my shoulder for a photo. He even introduced himself to my wife And Won her over in a flash. I found out later my camera had not taken the photo. I was crushed. But having Gene be so genuinely kind and call me by name is something i will never forget!
Mike DeLaura
April 5, 2014 at 5:15 pm #
Would love to win some cool KISS stuff!
Jarod Frank
April 5, 2014 at 5:16 pm #
My biggest personal KISS memory would have to be going to see them for the first time. I distinctly remember walking into a mall and asking my dad if he would take me to see them the next time they come to town. He said he would. Years later he confessed that he thought they were done and wouldn’t ever play again. This was sometime before Creatures was released. Fast forward to being in the car some months later and hearing a radio commercial for the Creatures of the Night tour that would be playing Cobo Arena on February 23, 1983. My dad lived up to the agreement and took me. He didn’t enjoy it, but he did admit to liking KISS more than The Plasmatics. And he also talks about how his ears rang for at least 3 days after the show. Although some memories of the show have faded, I still remember a lot of things vividly considering I was only 9 years old. The lighting effect on the tank treads so it looked like it was rolling was very cool. And when the tank exploded the speakers…it was great to see an effect that I didn’t know was coming.
jean paul giraud
April 5, 2014 at 5:27 pm #
This show brought back my passion and intrest in kiss, listening to the guys talking just brought all the things I love about Kiss
stlkiss
April 5, 2014 at 5:32 pm #
I listen to the show religiously. Love the show’s format of guys sitting around bs’ing about KISS. I’m still holding out hope that I will become the third side if the coin.
Lonnie Weishaar
Daniel Randlett
April 5, 2014 at 5:43 pm #
My personal memory is in two parts. The first part was seeing them for the first time on TV on the Paul Lynde Special. I was blown away with the look and the sound, I had to own Destroyer. I wore that album out so I replaced it with Rock And Roll Over. Second part I remember going to Toys R Us when they had just opened up in my area and walking around with the Meco Paul doll, which was on sale I was also big into Batman growing up so I talked myself out if getting the doll for a Batcave playset. Today I’m kicking myself…lol.
rvaldes820
April 5, 2014 at 5:43 pm #
winner winner chicken dinna! Love your show. Its exactly like my brother and our friends hanging out talking all things KISS.
Patrick Kendall
April 5, 2014 at 6:13 pm #
My biggest personal memory has to be discovering KISS for the very first time. I was 9 years old and my big sister had gone to the record store to buy a 45 single of “Beth”. They were sold out, so she bought the full DESTROYER album instead. I remember seeing the record on the kitchen table and being freaked out by the awesome artwork on the cover. What the hell was up with these 4 dudes with painted faces and crazy outfits, dancing on the rubble of a destroyed city? I sat down by the record player and gave the record a spin. From the intro to Detroit Rock City right up to the outro of the odd Rock and Roll Party, I was completely blown away. My life would never be the same again, and now 37 years later, I am still entering contests to win KISS merch, and looking forward to seeing them in concert again this summer with Def Leppard. Here’s to many more years of serious KISSin’!!
ejames43
April 5, 2014 at 6:19 pm #
Biggest personal memory: my wife and I wore makeup to a reunion show in 1996 in Denver. I’ll never forget hearing the opening of deuce and the curtain dropping. There they were. In the flesh. Just surreal for me.
BRENT WALTER
April 5, 2014 at 6:24 pm #
I have signed up for the contest! Thanks for the FREE show. I listed every week during work.
BRENT WALTER
3034 ABBY WAY
LOVELAND, OH 45140
EMAIL: ICEMANPS10@HOTMAIL.COM
BRENT WALTER
April 5, 2014 at 6:25 pm #
Listen I listen every week. Not listed!
steve1427
April 5, 2014 at 6:26 pm #
1974, my older sister who was friends with the best drummer in our town (Jeff) gives me the very first KISS album. Jeff tells me that this should be easy for me to play along to (I’m eleven at the time) I drop the needle and hear Kissin’ time and I am off on my drumming career. I literally wore that album out playing to it. HUNDREDS of times between the ages of eleven to eighteen.
briangabriel
April 5, 2014 at 6:43 pm #
My biggest personal KISS memory has to be the night of Sept. 11, 1996, Reunion Tour. I’ve been a KISS fan since I was a kid and this was the first time I would see them in concert. The excitement leading up to that night was incredible. The thing that stands out to me the most was watching Ace exit the side of the stage. I was in awe just watching him walk off that stage. I mean to see one of my heroes right there was nuts. I looked at my friend, he was in awe,too, and I said “that’s fucking Ace Frehley!”. It was a great time to be a KISS fan. Great show and I’m so glad I got to experience it.
jheb1973
April 5, 2014 at 6:49 pm #
Love your show. Keep them coming!!
chrismedek
April 5, 2014 at 6:51 pm #
My first KISS concert Love Gun Tour Cow Palace. I hadn’t been to a few concerts and this was far beyond a music act at the State Fair.I entered a strange world where there were thousands of others ready to consume everything KISS.Cheap Trick a strong opener and I was already familiar with their work.KISS showed us what a live act should be.Lights ,stairs, smoke,\, FIRE, blood ,ballads, confetti special effects, solos, encores and so very loud my ears would ring for days after.Wearing the concert “T” the next day with a sense of pride,honor while others were repulsed,and some were secretly jealous.
mike medina
April 5, 2014 at 7:08 pm #
The way Leon the Sphinx sang God of Thunder.
Henry Chin
April 5, 2014 at 8:03 pm #
For me it was the MTV Unplugged show. I was watching and did not expect the reunion to happen. I had not heard that Peter had played at the LA convention, so I was totally taken by surprise by Peter and Ace coming on. So much so, I even had tears in my eyes as I watched. It was awesome to see the original band together and then with Eric and Bruce. I thought that was the absolute best. Hoped for a reunion tour and we obviously got that as well.
primalscream08
April 5, 2014 at 9:07 pm #
My biggest personal KISS memory happened after a concert in 2013. I took my Dad to see them with me (he had never seen them), and after the concert, we stopped at McDonalds. Paul and Eric were inside!
listenerjim
April 5, 2014 at 9:30 pm #
Going to the reunion show 2 times and leaving the show unable to talk from losing my voice. I had waited all those years to see my favorite band in the world to finally be back in original line up and it was the best shows I’ve seen to date. Seeing what’s going on between the originals now makes me so thankful that I got to see them again and they acted like it was fun again.
robert dunning
April 5, 2014 at 11:41 pm #
hi three sides im a huge fan of the show and huge obsessed kiss fan.kiss gives me the strength everyday in my life.i love all eras. i agree alot with you guys views ..im going to finally meet Paul Stanley in SF.can’t wait.i miss Mitch but i feel your show will be fine. i left a voice message few months back about how would casual fans take in a reunion. LOL.they’re wont be one on rrhf but you never know. kiss surprises us at times.keep up good work.rock on
Chris Medek
April 6, 2014 at 7:28 am #
I’ve submitted already through a logged in Word Press account.Do I need another?
Joel Smith
April 6, 2014 at 1:46 pm #
It’s hard to narrow down my biggest KISS memory. I hope it’s okay to post the top 4.
1. Walking into a friends house in 1975, at 9 years old, and hearing music. I liked what I heard. When I saw the Alive! album leaned against the stereo, it blew my mind. Alive! was the first album I ever bought for myself.
2. Seeing KISS in concert for the very first time. February 17th, 1984 in Saginaw, Michigan. No barricades, that I remember, in front of the stage. I was against the stage with my little 110 Kodak camera when Paul pointed and mouthed the word ‘Ready?” and did his ‘Lick It Up’ jump. Lost all the pics from that show in my house fire.
3. October 17th, 1996. I finally got to see KISS in make-up. Unbelievable.
4. February 2012 I discovered something called Three Sides Of The Coin. I knew I wasn’t the only KISS fan in the world but, wow, this great show brought a lot of us together.
Number four is not me kissing ass. I honestly feel that way, However, if kissing ass gets me a shirt and a black guitar pick, ignore this statement.
Great show guys, Thank you so much for all the entertainment, and knowledge, that your show has given me.
Minnesota Pete
April 6, 2014 at 1:51 pm #
best pod cast ever!!!! thank you guys for all you do!!!!
mikeciresi
April 6, 2014 at 4:07 pm #
This is one of the best shows about KISS because it is honest, non-scripted and does not have a definite format, love the variety. All positive comments are welcomed and all opinions are welcomes as long as you are mature about it. It’s a great to have a conversation about KISS. The host’ are not butt kissers with KISS and tell it like it is. This is what a podcast should be all about.
No drama here! The host’ are very mature for example the show lost one key member and there was no mud slinging, no he said she said. And I admire that because you guys didn’t waste the listener;s time or drag them down.
No one threw the towel in and they kept going, each person wishing the other the best!
I want the show to keep growing and to be kept fresh as it has since episode #1.
bam08332
April 6, 2014 at 5:18 pm #
My biggest personal KISS moment without a doubt would be going on the very first KISS Kruise. Not only was it my very first time being on a cruise but to meet the guys for a photo op was amazing. I’ve them in concert and all but to be standing right in front of them and get a fist bump fron the guys was amazing. Its an experience I will never forget.
Victoria
April 6, 2014 at 5:24 pm #
Victoria from Sweden would like to thank “the ILK” for a great podcast with lots of interesting guests (amazing how you could find some of them) where parts of the Kisstory really comes to life.
I experienced the “magic” of Kiss in the seventies. Still have my tickets from 1976 and 1980 (Eric Carr on drums) when Kiss visited Sweden. Every incarnation of the band had it’s charm more or less. I’m really found of the three first albums, but the best is the Eddie Kramer demos before the first album.
One thing that I would like you to improve in Three Sides of the Coin is the volume of your microphones. Tommy,s voice is always on higher volume and with more bass (like the drums on Creatures of the night) When mister Brandvolds speach is more quiet an muffled. (like the drums on Hotter Than Hell)
Tuesday had become a good day thanks to you guys.
Spectorjeff
April 6, 2014 at 5:27 pm #
“Gene’s brother was an only child!”
Spectorjeff
April 6, 2014 at 5:34 pm #
My biggest personal KISS memory is seeing the band on the reunion tour in Prague, Czech Republic. When the band announced the reunion earlier that year I made a vow that no matter where I was or my situation I would see this show…and fate took me from the San Fernando Valley in L.A. to a converted a hockey arena in central Europe called the “Sportovni Hala” to see the band perform on Dec. 16, 1996. As a wanna-be expat living in a foreign country it capped the most memorable year of my 20s.
69th_B1izard
April 6, 2014 at 9:51 pm #
My biggest personal memories are :
1. Seeing the first album cover over at a friends house and asking “are they clowns? I did not even listen to it. Don’t judge a book by its cover.
2. Seeing them in Phamton of the park on TV.
3. Seeing them in 1979 on the dynasty tour. I was so excited that I was sick to my stomach.
Craig
April 7, 2014 at 8:44 am #
I saw the Asylum show, not a huge crowd but very enthusiastic. When the they started Rock N Roll All Night at the very end the crowd rushed the stage. Paul stopped the song half a verse in and told everybody to calm down. He said “It doesn’t take a big man to push a little girl.” Always thought that was really cool.
dant205
April 7, 2014 at 1:28 pm #
Looking forward to the next show. Last weeks show I listened to a couple of times. Really put me back in the mindset of what it was to be a fan in the late 70s and early 80s. Good times indeed! Thx much.
Drew
April 7, 2014 at 5:10 pm #
I am a big kiss fan,I always like to be caught up with the latest news its like a never ending book. so keep up the good work I look forward every week to here what you got to say.
dennis
April 8, 2014 at 3:47 am #
I am 38 years old, my biggest KISS memory would have to be attending the Hot in the Shade show in Toledo, Ohio. It was my first concert and my first concert! I went by myself and I was immersed in another world!
I was into KISS as early as four years old and had the 8track and album of the Gene Simmons Solo Album and various pictures from magazines hanging on my wall, I didnt know the music then, just their look, which I loved. I rediscovered the band with Asylum and my KISSteria reached a zenith when I went back then and bought Destroyer on casette, quickly followed by Dressed to Kill!
I was blown away by the set list and the classics they included in that show!!!!!
elmorata
April 8, 2014 at 4:53 am #
I have signed up for the contest! That was a surprise!
I hope I win. Don´t worry about the postage expenses, I will take care of them!
ESTEBAN LOPEZ
Madrid, Spain
gintanni883
April 9, 2014 at 5:17 am #
Love you guys, thanks again for doing this show for us
gintanni883
April 9, 2014 at 9:46 am #
really sorry I missed the initial answering the question thing so here it is: Halloween ’98, 11 yrs old, having recently scrubbed off my terrible attempt at Gene’s makeup, struggling to stay awake for the MAD TV/Dodger Stadium simulcast, feeling as this was my own Paul Lynde moment, my new favorite band playing 2 songs and I was in heaven, praying I would actually get to see them.
NevetsConley5150
April 9, 2014 at 7:03 pm #
one of my big KISS moment was the release of Sonic Boom because i was not around in the 70’s or 80’s , I was born in 1990. To me it felt like this must be how it felt to be around when they were in there hayday. I loved them way before sonic boom came out but i was so exited becouse Wal-mart went all out. they had cool KISS murch out. I remember being very exited to get the shirts and the blankets and waiting for the Cd to come out. I really feel like i was born at the wrong time because i was not around when KISS and all my other favorite bands were big. So for a little bit i felt like i was alive in 76 or something.
Dharr2222
April 10, 2014 at 1:00 am #
I am 44 years old and have been obsessed with KISS since 1977. My Great Grandmother gave me some cash and a small record player for my birthday when I was 8 years old. I went to K-mart looking for my first record. I had no clue of music or any favorite bands so standing in front of the row of vinyl’s, Destroyer caught my eye! I was so taken back by the cover and couldn’t wait to listen to this strange but very cool super hero group. I cant tell you how much that music changed my life! I have over the years now been proud to say I’m a KISS fan because the band has taught me to keep moving forward during good times and bad. They have proven there success by never stopping and listening to anyone who says the words “NO” or “You cant do it”.
I have met all the members and I think Fun, Crazy, but Gentlemen! Meeting Eric Carr in a hotel in Georgia during the Hot in the shade tour really comes to mind. I was so nervous to meet Eric and he invited my brother and I into his hotel room and talked to us for along time about nothing. Here we were as young teenage kids and he gave us complete attention. WOW!!!
I will never out grow my passion with KISS and look forward to many more things to come with the hottest band in the world!
Jim Sloan
April 11, 2014 at 8:04 am #
Great Show !!! Keep up the awesome work. Really like to listen to other Kiss fans opinions on different topics. I learn something every time I watch/listen to the show. The show has a great format and the special guess that you guys get, brings yet another side to the coin.
Greg
April 14, 2014 at 2:00 pm #
The best moment(s) for me were walking into record stores anywhere between 1978 and 1983 and discovering a new Kiss album in the bin. My “favorite” discovery had to be when I saw Unmasked had come out. I had only heard a few months earlier that Kiss was working on a new album, but I had no idea when it would be out. The busy cover was very eye catching, and since I was only 14 then and not a “hard core” rock fan, I didn’t mind the pop sound at all. That’s probably why it’s still one of my favorite albums. Just looking at the cover brings me back to that day. At the mall, downstairs, at the record store…
spcdemon
April 14, 2014 at 2:12 pm #
Even though i’d been a fan since 77 , seeing the first reunion show was awesome.
I never got to see the originals back then so seeing them for the first time sent chills through my body from the opening (you wanted the best,you got the best) till the confetti filled arena was a dream come true.
Todd Roxx
April 14, 2014 at 2:13 pm #
Thank you for the chance of win!keep rockin.
Mike Whitehurst
April 14, 2014 at 2:45 pm #
My biggest personal KISS memory was back in 75 when i saw the Alive! album cover for the first time. I was a teenager who was living every day wondering whether or not my step dad would realize that i hadn’t had my daily beating. It had gotten to the point where i had begun thinking about suicide and ending all the abuse….but then i opened up a magazine one day and saw a advertisement for Columbia House Records and saw KISS for the first time. I saw the picture on the album cover and was awestruck! Shortly afterwards i received my own copy of Alive! and I was immediately taken to a place that i had never been to before and was instantly wondering what a KISS concert would be like. I saw all the smoke….the makeup…the personal messages from each band member and couldn’t stop thinking about it. A few months later i was watching KISS live for the first time and i have been a fan ever since. The beatings still happened for another year or two but….i now had an escape…i no longer had to sit inside my room alone anymore. I had KISS to keep me “ALIVE” and well and gave me something to believe in.
Legend2nite
April 14, 2014 at 2:58 pm #
Three Sides of The Coin Rocks
Howard
April 14, 2014 at 3:23 pm #
You’re going to need to pick me as a co-host or change the name to “Two Sides of The Coin!”
Dan Star
April 14, 2014 at 3:29 pm #
Awesome shows you guys, keep up the good work!:)
beets22
April 14, 2014 at 4:41 pm #
All 32 shows I’ve been to dating back to 1985!
Steven K
April 14, 2014 at 4:51 pm #
My personal biggest KISS moment came from Sonic Boom. I know it’s probably a little surprising that it was that album, but Sonic Boom was my first real introduction to KISS and everything they represent. Before Sonic Boom I knew a few of the KISS classics, Rock n’ Roll All Nite, Detroit Rock City, I Was Made For Lovin’ You, ect. and I knew that my dad was a big fan of theirs. Other than that I didn’t know anything about them. Then October 2009 my Dad picked me up from school and we drove straight out to Wal-Mart so he could pick up the newest KISS album. I remember falling in love with the cover as soon as we found it, and I was very interested in this CD all of a sudden. While in line I managed to take the CD from him and examine the front and back packaging. Then we got to the car and from the first chord of Modern Day Delilah I was hooked! From then on I went on a spending spree to purchase every KISS song released! From there I moved on to the merchandise, I couldn’t believe how much stuff I could buy that this band was involved in! KISS also became the biggest factor for me in making it through High School. Before I started listening to KISS I was a very shy, insecure, not confident kid, but after listening to the lyrics, interviews, and KISS “philosophy” that was being preached by the members, I really came to and realized who I am as a person and I completely thank KISS for giving me the confidence and courage I needed at the time to really start enjoying life! Now, not a day goes by that KISS isn’t mentioned or brought up around me, by my friends, or myself. And now within the past year I have been able to interact and KISS out with other KISS fans thanks to Three Sides of the Coin! KISS Fanboy Forever! Thank you Sonic Boom!
Jess Tilley
April 14, 2014 at 4:58 pm #
Best Kiss memory is seeing the band for the first time on the reunion tour in Frankfurt Germany when I was serving in the US Army, saw them a total of 5 times on that tour! Always a fan and coming from a small town in Montana never thought I would see them in concert.Not only did I see them,but it was the full scale makeup reunion and I was in the front row! Still have the pictures I took that night along with the ticket stub and t shirt.
doowah85
April 14, 2014 at 8:59 pm #
Great show guys!! Here in the good ole south of MS
Darin
April 15, 2014 at 4:53 am #
Can’t get enough!!!
dhaberman
April 15, 2014 at 5:36 am #
It was Kiss’ first headlining tour, Alive in 1975. They were playing at the Pittsburgh Civic arena, I was 11 years old, my dad was an usher/security at the arena, and he got me in early before the show started. I remember walking into the main part of the arena and seeing the stage with all the PA cabinets, amps, and Peter’s huge drum kit. I was blow away and didn’t think that I could be more blown away…until my dad took me back stage and out walks Gene, Paul and Peter. (I have no idea where Ace was and to this day disappointed that I did not get to meet Ace). My dad, being my dad and never being intimidated by a situation, calmly pulled out his usher schedule and got all three of their autographs!!! That cemented it for me, I was a Kiss fan for life and wanted nothing else than to be a rock star!!!
thunderstrat13
April 15, 2014 at 5:58 am #
My biggest KISS memory would have to be seeing them for my 1st time on the reunion tour in St.Paul MN.I’ve been a fan since ’76 and finally seeing them in full costume with the stage show right out of the 70’s was fantastic.It was everything I hoped it would be and more.It was indeed a true Rock ‘n Roll concert,the band was great,it was general admission,packed to the rafters and it smelled funny from a combination of spilled beer,cheap perfume and a few other substances.A Rock ‘n Roll party.
markman8868
April 15, 2014 at 6:25 am #
Kiss memory? Listening to Alive! on my mom’s hifi over and over and looking at the gatefold and reading the letters to the fans over and over.
Andrew Mele
April 15, 2014 at 1:57 pm #
MTV unplugged ! Being on the scaffold and seeing the first reunion. Amazing 🙂
PlasterBlaster
April 15, 2014 at 3:09 pm #
So many memories obviously but one of the first I sort of (half) remember is after having seen the Paul Lynde special, I made it a point of heading downtown to my local Woolworth’s department store with my weekly allowance to get my first KISS record. I really had no idea what I was looking for, having zero idea of what their catalog was to that point. Anyways, I remember thumbing through the KISS records in the bin and after a whole lot of humming and hawwing, I finally narrowed it down to either Alive or Destroyer. I remember thinking how cool the Destroyer cover was but also thinking that for a dollar more ($8.98) I could basically get 2 records (double album). The stupid part of looking back at it now is that I’m not 100% sure of which I chose! Needless to say, I was back getting the other one the next weekend and I remember picking up The Originals not too long after that. So in a period of about a month I went from being an absolute KISS virgin to having their entire vinyl catalog. Have been a sucker ever since!
OVERKILL1972
April 17, 2014 at 3:07 am #
First time hearing KISS was back in the 70’s when I was a kid. Hard Luck Woman was the first song I heard on the K-Tel “Stars” album hahaha! Then a while later I got KISS Alive II on two cassettes from the kids my mom babysat. I basically jacked their cassettes.
randrhell2014
April 19, 2014 at 11:02 am #
My best memory is when I bought rock and roll over in 1977 it was the first kiss album or any album that i bought with my own money and its still my favorite kiss album.
mikeycans68
April 19, 2014 at 11:05 am #
So many to choose from but my biggest KISS memory was probably going to see them during the Dynasty tour at Madison Square Garden in the summer or ’79. I was 10 years old and my brother was 8. My mother told us she would take us if we paid for the $12.00 tickets out of our own money. I was a huge fan after seeing them on the Paul Lynde Halloween Special a few years earlier, but experiencing this was one of the best nights of my life. It was my first concert, and set the bar extremely high for every concert that followed. Made damn sure the first concerts my daughters went to at a young age were KISS shows, telling them, “This is what a rock concert should be like!”!
BMAN76
April 19, 2014 at 11:42 am #
Love this show, thanks for all you guys do to keep it “ALIVE!”
Alec B
April 19, 2014 at 2:07 pm #
My biggest personal KISS memory is my first (and so far only) KISS concert. It was on September 7, 2012, co-headlining with Motley Crue and The Treatment opening. I was 11 years old, and not being a fan of Motley Crue, and not even knowing the Treatment, it was an average concert at first. Then, “Alright Chicago!” and the curtain dropped, and Detroit Rock City was blasted into my ears. I was amazed. There was the band that I have loved my entire life, playing right before my eyes!
greg
April 19, 2014 at 3:16 pm #
I love guys, cant wait to see the third member as well
MPGRILLO77
April 19, 2014 at 10:35 pm #
Best KISS podcast out there – thanks guys!
SayIamU
April 20, 2014 at 3:14 am #
I was 11 yrs old .. my first concert was the Destroyer Tour opener at Norfolk Scope, Norfolk Va July 3rd 1976… I remember my ears were ringing so loud on the way out .. I was completely blown away .. I got the Destroyer poster at the show .. but my parents wouldn’t buy me an album until Rock and Roll Over came out …
mr6040
April 20, 2014 at 6:20 am #
KISSfan since 1984…Celebrating all things KISS!
Thanks you Michael & Tommy for doing the show. Nice to know that there are other KISS addicts out there such as myself that actually have something of substance to say about KISS. Thanks for the hard work and great content.
The memory that comes to mind is seeing KISS for the first time when I was 11 on March 5, 1986 at The Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena in Green Bay. My mind was racing and my excitement was electric as I waited to see the Hottest Band in the World! Let me tell you KISS did not disappoint. The magic of that evening will always stay with me as long as I live and has led to my loyalty to the group. Long Live KISS and I am looking forward to seeing them my 22nd time this summer!
Thanks 3 Sides of The Coin,
Rob
mr6040
mr6040
Hellblazer
April 22, 2014 at 7:41 am #
Great wrap up of a fascinating book. Even after 38 years of fandom, I learnt so much more about what makes Paul Stanley tick within (and without) the confines of KISS.
VonMeister
April 22, 2014 at 11:31 am #
Great stuff – I could listen to conversation about Paul’s book for hours. It brings back a lot of the content I remember reading and how I felt about it.
Also, very excited to be seeing KISS this summer in St. Louis area! AND Gene & Paul at a Rock & Brews opening in Overland Park, KS next week.
IT’S A KISSUMMER IN 2014!!!!
Polystanakis
April 23, 2014 at 8:10 pm #
Hi everyone. My biggest personal KISS memory of the first 40 years of KISS is of the literally earth-shattering appearance of KISS Alive! in 1975 that single-handedly and with one mighty stroke literally delivered an entire generation of flaming youth from the grievous darkness of Watergate and Vietnam that had swallowed up our parents, in literally exactly the same way that only the Beatles and Elvis before them had ever done, the Beatles in 1964 in the wake of the height of the Cold War and the assassination of JFK; and Elvis in 1956 in the wake of World War II and the bloodless materialism of the Eisenhower years.
Elvis in ’56, the Fab Four in ’64, and KISS in ’75: One, Two, Three, period. Perhaps an argument can also be made to include Nirvana in this number, appearing as they did in 1991 in the immediate wake of the so-called “decade of greed.” But there is no doubt that KISS Alive!, in 1975, established that band alongside only Elvis Presley and The Beatles and, if Nirvana, then Nirvana, as one of three or four acts in music history to attain virtually Mosaic powers over an entire generation of youth at the time they appeared. As musicians and musical collectives, these twelve men — Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss, Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic — excellent as they were, were next to nothing as musicians and acts compared to the common purpose they served in the context of the times in which they miraculously first appeared. This may go to why there is such a seemingly irrational deference given by many KISS fans to the original four members over subsequent band line-ups and, more to the point, to that period in the 1970’s.
The memory of that moment in 1975, as a fan of 39 or 40 years, and as one literally just dumb-lucky enough to have experienced the mass liberation and exultation that KISS’s first appearance on the national scene delivered, simply cannot be weighed, it is so big and so amazing. Remember, much of KISS’s greatness, as Paul Stanley stated in discussing Vinnie Vincent’s basic misapprehension of the band, consists not in its individual musicianship, but rather in the context of its musicianship. “Context is everything,” I think is how Paul put it. KISS has always been a great band — the best!; but what was going on with them — and through them — in ’75, ’76, ’77? — served a fearsomely greater purpose at the time than KISS’s rightful place in fans’ hearts and in music and music history. I don’t say that you “just had to have been there.” KISS continues to deliver and sustain hordes of individuals from all kinds of dark places in our lives. But I can tell you that in 1975, that’s not what it was.
They delivered a generation. And I doubt very much even to this day that the original members of KISS, given their central role, understand it yet. But I’m Love-Gunning that Three Sides Of The Coin will agree: The individual experience and memory, of that collective generational passage in the hands of four hairy, spectral, strange and wonderful New Yorkers, is a memory far bigger than this awesome band to whom we owe so much.
cdchuck
April 23, 2014 at 9:07 pm #
I remember being at the mall when I was 8 years old. I remember seeing the destroyer album in Musicland, if I remember correctly and wanting it just for the cover. I really did not know who KISS was, just like the cartoonish cover. My parents bought it for me. Never really did anything with it, just went into a large stack of albums that my brother had. A few years later, I remember being in a half burned convenience store with my dad. My dad was an electrician and was helping to rebuild and wire the place. The part of the store that was not burned was actually still doing business. I remember being candy and a pack of Donruss cards that were at the counter. Again, was attracted by the picture. After that I started buying more and more of them to try and complete the picture on the back. Took me a while to realize these were the same faces on the album that my parents had bought me. That is really when I stared to listen to destroyer on the old album and eight track players and of course, like many others before, me I was hooked once I heard Detroit Rock City. This was back in 1979 and have been a fan ever since. I did my first meet and greet during the Rock The Nation tour and I had Paul and Gene sign the Destroyer album and the a couple of my Donruss cards I still had. Have seen them over 25 times since the Dynasty tour and have been a hardcore collector since 1995. To me a line up change was always just that, a line up change. It will be and was always KISS to me, regardless of who is in the band. I have never understood the uproar about original versus non original members. Just makes me laugh. I am just so thankful that 40 years later and me now being in my 40s, I am still able to enjoy KISS and still go to see my favorite band in concert.
nitjas
April 24, 2014 at 11:14 am #
I hate to admit this, but my introduction was in fifth grade when a friend made me listen to Burn Bitch Burn. As a pre-pubescent boy, it somehow turned me on. Little did I know, songs like Room Service and Shock Me would turn me on for a lifetime. Kiss has forever taught me to be myself, enjoy life and have as much fun as possible!
abner devereaux
April 27, 2014 at 10:28 am #
Other than meeting Gene & Paul multiple times, it wouid have to be seeing them for the first time on the Reunion Tour in 96. Was too little to see them ‘back in the day’, but was so overwhelmed to see all four originals onstage (NEVER though that it would happen!) that I wept like a little girl. 🙂
billyhardaway
April 27, 2014 at 10:35 am #
My personal favorite Kiss memory is when I first saw them in 1977 in Houston, TX at the Summit. It was mind blowing to say the least. I was 8 years old, and it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. Then in the early 80’s when I had gotten into alot of other rock bands, when I thought Kiss was down and out, they took the makeup off and released Lick It Up. They became the band I had always wanted them to be. It was all about the music to me. Yeah, the makeup and mystique was cool for a time, but without the music, they would’ve failed regardless. I don’t care about who started the band and who is in it now, or who wears what makeup. Its all about the music. A TRUE Kiss fan, as I am, would’ve never waivered just because an original member left the band. They would’ve stuck by them for 37 years like i did. That is what being a Kiss fan is to me.
johnnyb09
April 27, 2014 at 11:14 am #
Happy Birfday to Ace!!!! Still kickin booty!!!!
Maze
April 27, 2014 at 4:38 pm #
My BIGGEST personal KISS memory is the night I got to PLAY Peter Criss’ drums on the opening night of his FINAL tour with KISS.After soundcheck and before the gig I played for about 15 minutes including the solo from 100,000 years! \m/
johnw
April 27, 2014 at 6:00 pm #
My moment…It was the summer of 1993 and KISS was making a rare in-store appearance
at Strawberry’s records in North Attleboro, MA. The band was promoting Alive III, and to me, hitting their prime in the non-make-up period, coming off Revenge. Due to a family member connection and my very pregnant wife suffering in the 90 degree heat, who was there for moral support, we were escorted to the front of the line. After almost 20 years of hero worship, I was going to meet KISS. I was going on 30 years old feeling much more like a teenager that day. We were finally allowed in to meet the band. First at the table was Paul looking every bit the rockstar wearing a cowboy hat and dark glasses. I extended my hand to shake his and tell him that it was a pleasure to meet him. He thanked ME for being a fan and how it was HIS pleasure to me ME. His handshake and tone were genuine. Security was trying to move us on but Paul insisted on talking to my wife. He asked her how far along she was. He then asked her if she was happy. When she said yes he smiled and said that’s great, I’m happy for you. I had some sort of a European promotional album cover for the guys to sign which featured a caricature of Gene in make-up. Eric and Bruce held it up so Gene could see it and they began to talk about it with me, to the dismay of security. Gene was at the end of the table standing tall and began to question me about my t shirt. It was from a strip club in Atlanta that he no doubt had attended at some point. Of course I felt like a loser when he was asking if I attended the club and I had to tell him the shirt was a gift. He laughed it off good naturedly. I of course was excited to meet the guys and see how engaged they are when meeting their fans. The irony of the meet and greet was that my wife was the one who walked away star struck. Her brief conversation with Paul really touched her. She is not a KISS fan but can understand why I am now. I found out a short time later that Paul’s wife at the time was also pregnant.
WickedOne
April 28, 2014 at 12:56 pm #
The biggest memory I have was the first Reunion Show I was saw in Louisville, KY. I grew up in the eighties/nineties; therefore “my Kiss” was the 80’s version with Bruce and both Eric’s. I loved the music from and image from the 70’s. You could say I was a bit obsessed with it. My wife and I were seeing a lot of shows around that period. At an Ozzy show a few months prior, she got very ill and had to be taken out. It was due to the smokey atmosphere and heat. Yea, that’s right kids. We used to smoke cigarettes and other things at concerts, inside no less. Seeing Kiss in makeup for the first time was so important to me, that I wouldn’t let her go. I didn’t want her to get ill and have to leave the show. I did promise to take her to one later that year. We both knew I would have to go more than once. She still pokes at me for that to this day.
caj5150
April 29, 2014 at 9:45 pm #
My favorite personal KISS moment happened in 1986. I was 14 years old and only knew of KISS because of their makeup and the song “Lick It Up” (which I loved). One Sunday night – while doing homework in my living room – ‘Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park’ came on after the 10 o’clock news. The image of the group singing “Rock and Roll All Nights” grabbed my attention and some of the dialogue was so damn CHEESY (“You’re looking for someone, but it’s not KISS”, “Easy Catman. These people are serious”, etc.) I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. This was the start of me being a lifetime KISS fan…….