A Piece of History

One of the coolest things I have ever received in my entire life I got for my 30th birthday. I was working as a Promotions Assistant for an Oldies radio station and had always heard the afternoon DJ, Bobby Day spin tales of meeting old rockers from the 1970’s. One day I decided to bend his ear about KISS. Low and behold he had met them. In fact he had the opportunity to meet and interview Gene in Fall of 1978 during the KISS Solo Album Promotional Tour. Now that is pretty damn cool. He said that Gene was a constant professional and one of the best interviews he had ever given. He signed a few items and even posed for a picture (without makeup) hiding behind Bobby’s long strangely hair. (To picture this guy just remember the ‘mad scientist’ engineer from the Weird Al movie, UHF). I pleaded and pleaded for him to bring in the photo, begging him for a copy, but unfortunately it never surfaced. "It’s probably stuffed in a shoebox somewhere…I have tons of that crap" he replied. So, I simply dreamed about that day until one day my phone rang from the studio. "Hey, this is Bobby…open your bottom desk drawer…happy birthday," was all the person on the other line said before hanging up. Inside my desk was a signed copy of GENE SIMMONS solo KISS LP and a Solo album belt buckle. The records cover was signed neatly in black permanent marker, ‘Gene Simmons – Radioactive’ while the solo album buckle looked as if it had never been touched and was as shiny as I’m sure it was on that day in 1978. In fact, it still had the 1978 Aucoin Management sticker on the back as it does to this day. After thanking him over and over he explained that he could not locate the picture but hoped to someday so I could have a copy, but in my eyes receiving an actual piece of the most important era of KISSTORY was the coolest thing anyone could have ever done for me. I have not forgotten that day, and am grateful for ever meeting such a thoughtful and talented guy as Bobby Day. – Thanks again...from one fan to another.