Letters

Hello! My name is Daniel Sobral, I'm twenty years old and a fan from Brazil. Since I was a child, my father taught me everything about Kiss. I was raised surrounded by your music, movies, comics and action figures. However, this text is not about me. Three weeks ago my father, Eduardo Alfredo, passed away, victim of Coronavirus. My father taught me that Kiss was more than just a band, it was a lifestyle that gave him a sense of taking rock and roll to his soul. He felt the passion for Kiss music inside his chest. He carried the faces of the heroes, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, on his skin, with some nice tattoos. He believed that one day he would be able to truly thank what Kiss did in his life, a motivation and happiness. My father, without a doubt, was one of the biggest Kiss fans in Brazil. He was known among fans, fan clubs, events and conventions. He always showed a huge admiration for all team members and crew. He had the opportunity to talk to the band's members a few times, but he always said there was a sentence left to be said. He was now excited about The End of The Road Tour, as he was finally going to say goodbye to his heroes. We were agreeing to participate in our second meet&greet, now in São Paulo. We had also purchased tickets for Argentina, Porto Alegre and Curitiba. He had everything scheduled. He knew what he was going to say to the band, and what the new meet&greet would be like, but he never told me, because he wanted me to get carried away by the few words he was going to say to Paul and Gene. Now the job of saying goodbye is left for me. I don't know if this letter will reach the Kiss members, but I just wanted to write a simple note of "thank you" for filling my life with joy and good memories. It is strange to write to "you". You are so far from me, but yet so close. My father always talked about your music and what Kiss represented in his life. For me, you are friends who have always been by my side, and will always be. So, thank you for connecting me to my dad, in a way that no other band could. Thank you for motivating us to face life's obstacles. And now I will face another obstacle with a lot of love in my heart, because the memories will be like my father's kiss. My mom also shares a passion for the band. On my parent?€™s second honeymoon, they went to a Kiss show on Los Angeles. It was my mom's first Kiss concert, and kind of mine too... since she was pregnant of me. I was blessed by that show, so my passion could not be different. I also write this letter to share something that only a few people have seen: his funeral. One of my father's wishes, before passing away, was to be buried with Kiss songs. However, this was not possible, due to the times we live in. But, his biggest wish was granted. We played some Kiss songs in a car radio. He was buried to the sound of "Forever". In his coffin, we put some T-shirts, which symbolized his passion. Also, his body is wrapped in two flags, from his favorites albums: "Love Gun" and "Rock n Roll Over". If Kiss fans are Kiss Army then my father was a brave soldier, who honors the flag wrapped around his body. Now, I hear "Nothing Can Keep Me From You" with different feeling. My father always told me that he interpreted it as a song from a father to a son. But now I see that it is about anyone who is far away, but who is close in the feeling of love. Kiss taught me that my dad will always be close to me. With the songs and memories of our conversations, experiences and all the concerts he had been (seventeen in total). So, thank you Kiss, and I wish you all the best. May we meet again soon and I will give you my father's hug, personally. We are one. Goodbye. Kiss from Daniel.