Letters

26 November 1982 � KISS lip-synching I love it loud at AVRO�s TOPPOP, The Netherlands Hi y'all. Here's my story of when I saw KISS up close back in 1982. I have about 20 pictures that I took at the event but since they turned out to be not so good, I never shared them. But now I have decided to share them after all. Just for history's sake and whatever. Maybe you like some of 'em. Winter 1982, I was about 14 years old and Creatures of the night had just been released. One day this girl came over to me in school. She knew I was a big fan of KISS (how could she not, I was not hiding it in any way!) and she told me that in a week KISS would be visiting the TV-show that her daddy was the director of. I went through the roof! Since this girl�s house was only two minutes away from where I lived, I decided to stop by her house after school to see if her dad was willing to let me and a few friends witness the shooting/recording of KISS in the studio. He said that it was no problem at all and I went totally nuts! The following week me and three friends arrived at the TV-studio�s in Hilversum only to find another 50 KISS fans waiting near the gate. I was slightly disappointed because I thought no-one knew beside me and my friends. Now it would be a bit more difficult to get signatures or have a little talk with the band members. I soon stopped worrying since two black limo�s arrived and I could clearly see an unmasked Paul through the dark window. He was holding his thumb up and I ran along a few seconds until they were through the gate. To this day it reminds me of parts of the 1980 Inner sanctum special when KISS was in Australia. Same thing, same feeling. After a while we were let into the building and into the studio. There were two sets of stairs that we all would stand on and stand in front of. Then the floor manager told us what we could expect. The band would be in the studio soon. They would tape the song (I love it loud) about 3 times. Meanwhile we were not allowed to move. No asking for signatures until after it all was done. We were allowed to take pictures, however using a flash was not allowed. Then the band entered in full battle gear and all 50-60 KISS fans went berserk!! It took some time before the taping would start. The band was handed their instruments. I remember that I was surprised that Ace did not put his guitar around his neck himself but that it was done by one of the roadies. I thought that Ace looked quite stiff and not too fit. I recognized Big John Harte and I think Eddie Balandas (not sure). The drum kit wasn�t by Ludwig like Eric Carr had. It was Tama and this brand name was hidden with some black tape. If you look at my pictures you can see Gene adjusting his boot while resting it on one of the camera dolly�s. Paul was handed a rose that he would put on his mike stand later on. Gene received/asked for a fan�s KISS cap and he gave it to one of the assistants (probably to keep it for his own collection). Another fan was showing Gene one of the awesome 1978 Grooves specials. Later on Paul was scrutinizing the special and you can see Ace join Paul and pointing out things in the special. One of the pics shows Gene with a fan who is showing him a self made KISS comic. Gene was really interested, asking questions and not in a hurry at all. Then the song was taped a few times. The band went over to the side to look at the results with the director. When it was all done we were allowed to come down and ask for signatures. I managed to get 2 (from Paul and Gene). A friend of mine managed to get all four on his Creatures of the night album. It was awesome. But before we knew it the band had to leave and it was all done. What a great experience it had been! The following week the song was broadcasted. There exists about 45 minutes of the taping on video. I don�t have it on DVD so please PM me if you have it. After 27 years I think I should finally have it. There are 20 pictures that I would like to share. They are not great at all, but hey�.whatever. After more than 27 years they finally see the light of day. They are in chronological order more or less. Link: http://www.kissfaq.com/forum09/viewtopic.php?t=44739 See ya!