Kiss News

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BY PETER CARBONARA / Newsweek.com

Robert Haberkorn is a 55-year-old contractor from New Jersey. He and his son, Joe, 32, like KISS. A lot. On a dreary Tuesday night in February they've come to see the band's Allentown, Pennsylvania, stop on its current "End of the Road Tour," advertised as their last ever. (A 2000 reunion of the original members of the band was also supposed to be their swansong, but never mind.)

"This is my 65th time tonight since 1977," Haberkorn says. "My first one was at Madison Square Garden in December '77 with the four original guys in makeup, and I took my son for his first one at the Garden in New York City, the same four guys with the makeup, and he's been coming to every show since then. He's at 29, I'm at 65."

Tickets in the 10,000-seat PPL Center went for prices starting at about $40. The Haberkorns and 15 other people, though, have paid extra for the "Ultimate KISS Army VIP Experience," which entitles them, among other things, to a pre-show bar and hors d'oeuvres; a chance to try on Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley's platform boots; a tour of the stage, including a chance to sit behind drummer Eric Singer's kit; a meet-and-greet with the band; and the opportunity to watch the thunderous two-hour, fireworks and flash-bomb extravaganza that is a KISS show from a private area immediately in front of the stage. Anyone down there will be so close that when the flame cannons fire, their faces will feel sunburned, and when the dry ice smoke billows over them they'll be momentarily fogbound. Simmons, Stanley and lead guitarist Tommy Thayer will shower them with guitar picks throughout the night. And to top it all off, after the show Gene Simmons will privately present Bob Haberkorn with the fake-blood spattered, battle-axe shaped bass guitar he played on stage.

"This is the biggie," Haberkorn says, "This is the holy grail. We've done VIPS, and we met for a bunch of times and also tonight I'm getting his bloody bass. A lot people have the basses, but the bloody ones are few and far between. I'm such a fan and this is getting close to the end. This is like my big souvenir."

By Erik Ritland / www.musicinminnesota.com

Photo by Tommy Allen Williams

If you allow yourself to, it’s easy to love KISS.

Their first seven albums contain some of the best, purest rock n’ roll of the ‘70s. The original lineup of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss were each solid musicians (and, in the case of the first three, effective songwriters).

Paul and Gene soldiered on with the band after Criss and Frehley’s erratic behavior became too much for them to handle. Though at times they became something of a caricature, it’s clear that Stanley and Simmons genuinely love playing music and the entire Kiss (psycho) circus.

I’ve never understood the derision that Kiss receives from rock critics (and fans).
They’re just a simple, fun rock band. Their big songs and singalong choruses get directly to the spirit of rock n’ roll.

The problem for snobby critics and fans is Kiss’ image. Everything is extravagant, from their clothes to their stage presentation to their music. All that is off-putting to people who take themselves too seriously.