Cadillac 50th Anniversary Chapter

Welcome to my journey of the 50th Anniversary of KISS coming to Cadillac Michigan in 1975.

Table of Contents

 

Preparing for the 50th

 

Leading up to Cadillac 50th

 

Overview of the 50th

 

Day by Day activities:

 

Thursday - 2 Radio shows, On the way to Cadillac, walking town, Museum visit, Checked in at the bookstore for the Saturday signing

Cadillac visitor's bureau, T-shirt pick up

 

Friday - Radio Show, Kiss Monument (Grand Daughters listening in), tail gate, school walk through, Jim Neff, Football game, drone show

 

Saturday - Book signing, lunch with family and friends, Rock Documentaries, Mr. Speed.

 

Book Launch - Kiss book Hits Number #1.

 

Sunday - Breakfast with family, last drive leaving Cadillac, Bald eagle.

 

After Cadillac returning home

 

Podcast of the great weekend

 

Ace Tribute

 

Tribute Podcasts to the Cadillac 50th Anniversary.

 

Auction of Cadillac Items

 

Conclusion

 

Preparing for the 50th, I visited Jim Neff in 2023 to discuss the 50th anniversary of KISS coming in 1975, and now the rest is history.

Preparing for the 50th anniversary has been a full-circle moment for me.

 

As I share in the final chapter of my book, Unmasked: My 50 Year Journey with KISS, October 2025 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the legendary day when KISS came to Cadillac, Michigan—a small town that helped create one of the most unforgettable chapters in rock history. Their visit wasn’t just a performance; it became a story the city has carried proudly for five decades.


You can explore videos, photos, and the full history of the 1975 event on my website’s main page: Main Kiss 50 Years - KISS 50 Years 

 

Below, you’ll find my multi-day experience of the 50th anniversary celebration—radio appearances, community events, behind-the-scenes moments, and unforgettable encounters with KISS fans from around the world. I am grateful to everyone who brought this milestone to life.

 

A special thank-you to Jim Neff, who first connected with me in 2015 after I emailed him saying: “I have the original Key KISS received in 1975.” His passion and guidance helped me become involved in both the 40th and 50th anniversary celebrations.


Thank you to Lindsey for your outstanding organizational work at the visitors’ bureau, and to Savanah, whose support made the Horizon Books signing a fantastic success. And most importantly, to my wife Peg, whose eye for photography captured many of the memories featured in this chapter—thank you for being part of every step of this journey.

 

Thad Zylka
thad@thadzylka.com

 

What is the big Deal About KISS and Cadillac? I encourage you to view this video and others on my site about KISS 1975 visit to Cadillac.

Leading up to Cadillac

It all started for me in the late Spring of 2025 with the below save the date coming from Jim Neff.

I wrote in my newsletter throughout the Spring and into the Fall all the things which were going to happen in Cadillac. You will see the popup on this page too. See graphics of the many things which were promoted. Also, to stay in touch with updates book mark this site. KISStory Tour - Cadillac, Michigan Area Visitors Bureau 

Jim Neff is always promoting Cadillac. He is a great Ambassador, Check out the schedule and the banners.

Banners around Cadillac

The first Mr. Speed show sold out quickly, and they scheduled a second show. Yes, that is Jim Neff in the bear board.

Jim Neff was on a few podcasts leading up to the 50th.

Episode #39: KISS IN CADILLAC! 50 Years of Memories with Jim Neff | Hey Man, Nice KIϟϟ Shirt!

Jim talks about my book in the above Podcast, see below for small piece recommending my book.

Click on the below image of the article.

Below is the Master Press release, click on the image to get the PDF.

Click on the below image to get the Cadillac KISSTORY Tour Guide.

On Wednesday, October 8th, 2025, The Key is in the case and on the way to Cadillac for the 50th Anniversary of KISS getting the Key In 1975.

My overview video of the 50th weekend

The below was the Special Edition Cadillac news which was created for the weekend and was published on 10/9/2025

The article below was on the back page of the above front section. Talks about me being a super fan. Also, there was a correction, I grew up in Standish, Michigan a couple hours from Cadillac.

The below is master schedule in the KISS 50 special newspaper. Very honored that my book signing is listed in master schedule.     

I was buying the 50th anniversary limited edition Cadillac News. They were limiting us to 5 copies so everyone could get one.

Day by Day activities:                                   

Thursday 10/9/2025 - 2 Radio shows, on the way to Cadillac, walking town, museum visit, checked in at the bookstore for the Saturday book signing,      Cadillac visitor's bureau, T-shirts pickup

I put this graphic out to my email list and Facebook page about being on the radio show.

Kevin Blue - Director of Local Sales for the Northern Michigan radio stations of WTCM FM, WTCM AM, WKLT, WJZQ FM, WCCW FM and WCCW AM, was so great to work with, this was in the green room before the 2 radio shows.

Live on the air what a wild and crazy time.

Omelette and Finster asking me about the Cadillac key in below video.

The below is the entire radio show with Omelette and Finster. what a WILD TIME!

The second radio show I did was with Ron Jolly.

Ron was kind enough to post about my interview on his FB book page.

Here is the entire Radio broadcast of Ron Jolly's Interview of me. Much calmer!

The official KISS organization promoted the Cadillac 50th event on the main KISS site. Click on image to go to KISS online.

I am here with Rich from Mr. Speed, he plays Paul Stanley in his band Mr. Speed. Check them out at their website. KISS Tribute Band | Mr. Speed Online 

I am below with Alex, he and his wife Daphne have a great KISS Podcast called KISS Army Things https://www.youtube.com/@kissarmythings Alex and Daphne were at Cadillac, and their great podcasts are below.

Walking around town hitting the coffee shop, different businesses, visitor bureau.

The local boat company contribution to the 50th Anniversary. Here is the coaster and then the poster all over town.

My wife Peg and I took time to visit the Cadillac cemetery.

KISS History items in the Museum.

Below are pictures of the display cases in the Museum. Then find my pictures below which talks about the key and great pictures from 1975, 2015 (The 40th Anniversary).

Friday - 10/10/2025 - Radio Show, (Grand Daughters listening in) Kiss Monument tail gate, school walk through Jim Neff, football game, drone show

The below was on the Radio show with Terri Ray first thing Friday morning in the big KLT Red Radio.

Videos of me talking to Terri Ray live on the radio, and our two twin Grand Daughters listening in from Wisconsin to the show saying that Pops (Me) and my wife (Mimi), very special.

Here is the entire Radio Show with Terri Ray.

The key is back in Cadillac.

At the Monument with the newspaper for the 50th anniversary.

Football game, Jim talking about Kiss in 1975 in the school gym, where KISS played, tail gate with family.

Football Game, Jim with his own Key to the City of Cadillac, band, drone show.

Saturday - 10-11-2025 book signing, lunch with family and friends, Rock documentaries, Mr. Speed.

Thad with Ladd who played Gene in our 1977 Gong show act.

Ladd is on the far left, then me, Steve and Dean

I am below with Alex, he and his wife Daphne at book signing, they have a great KISS Podcast called KISS Army Things https://www.youtube.com/@kissarmythings Alex and Daphne were at Cadillac, and their great podcasts are below. 

Thad with Fido at Book signing, he has a great podcast, "Hey Man, Nice KIϟϟ Shirt!" episode above.

 

 

 

After the book signing, we had lunch with family and friends.

Rock Documentary - Dale Myers - Click on the Graphics to take you to YouTube. Permission by Dale Myers

Rock Documentary - Cadillac - When given permission By Universal and PopHouse. Cadillac is working through licensing. The below is a place holder.

Book Launch - Kiss Book Hits Number #1 Best Seller on Amazon.

After almost 3 years of work, I launch my book on October 2nd leading into the Cadillac 50th Anniversary. We ended up hitting number #1 on Amazon from all the promotion, emails I had sent. The radio shows, press coverage helped. I will always to grateful to Cadillac. You can see more about my book on the main page. Main Kiss 50 Years - KISS 50 Years 

Mr. Speed concert video, with permission of Dale Myers

Go to his YouTube channel to view, click here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cur7XTxvQws

Sunday - Breakfast with family, last drive leaving Cadillac, Bald eagle.

I am here with my cousin Sherry and her husband George with my wife Peg.

Sunday October 12th Cadillac News covered my book signing.

After Cadillac returning Home

After Arriving home, I signed a lot of books which people had bought and get them delivered around the world. I was sending books to Canada, Australia, Switzerland and across the United States.

The below image is from the podcast I did with Kiss Army Nation. You will see the YouTube video below.

KISS ARMY NATION PODCAST Ep 222 - An Interview with Thad Zylka

 

Our next guest was at the Cadillac 50th Anniversary Event. On this episode, our guest will share stories, behind the scenes moments and talk about his book Unmasked: My 50 Year Journey with KISS. Oh, did I mention he owns the KEY to the city? KISS Army, please welcome Thad Zylka.

Tragedy strikes a few days after Cadillac - Ace Tribute, Cadillac padi tribute to Ace on the front page of the paper.

Complete Tribute to Ace

Thad's section of the video tribute to Ace.

Tribute Podcasts to the Cadillac 50th Anniversary.

Cadillac Trip - Kiss Army Things

Thad's piece - Book Signing from Kiss Army Things

Entire reveal of items from Cadillac - Kiss Army Things

Thad's book mention from - Kiss Army Things

Opening up the care package from Cadillac.

KISS ARMY NATION PODCAST Ep. 224 - Discussing KISS Cadillac 50th Anniversary with Roger Bernard. Note: shows my book at 1:04 into the show and talks how we met.

KISS ARMY NATION PODCAST Ep 227 - An Interview with Jim Neff

Our Cadillac Trilogy is complete. It began with an interview with Thad Zylka discussing his Cadillac experience, owning the Key to the City and his book Unmasked: My 50 Year Journey with KISS. We did a play by play of the KISS Cadillac 50th Anniversary event with Roger Bernard…and now at the center of it all…the coach, the teacher, the dreamer…the man who made the 1975 Cadillac experience happen….we are proud to have on our show…Mr. Jim Neff.

Auction of Cadillac Items

The below button will take you to the auction site. This will be up for a limited time.

Yes, I had to buy something.

Snags and Ol' Silky sit down with Thad Zylka, author of "Unmasked: My 50-Year Journey with KISS", to discuss his lifelong fandom, the rare artifacts and behind-the-scenes stories from five decades in the KISS Army.

Conclusion:

 

For me a chapter is closing which started in the Spring and Summer of 2015 when I connected with Jim Neff, the football coach who brought KISS to Cadillac. If you have read my book, you know the journey I was on with bringing back the Key to City Cadillac which KISS got in 1975 for its 40th and 50th anniversary.

 

As the calendar turns to the future, fifty years have passed since that unforgettable October day when KISS rocked a small town in 1975, flipped the script, and left a legacy with just a guitar riff, a stadium full of cheers—and yes, a helicopter takeoff. From the roar of the crowd at Cadillac High School to the unveiling of the KISStory Walking Tour markers that now draw fans from around the world, Cadillac’s moment in rock-and-roll history continues to echo.

 

For me, this legacy isn’t just one story among many, it’s the heart of Unmasked. It’s the moment where a teenage impersonator became a lifelong historian; where the Key to the City I tracked, signed, and brought back became more than an artifact—it became a symbol of connection. When I returned the key to Cadillac for the 40th anniversary, and when I returned for the 50th, I’m reminded that rock history lives not only in sold-out arenas but in homecomings, football games, in handshake moments, and in every fan’s memory.

 

So, whether you were in the bleachers that day, heard the engine of that helicopter fade into the Michigan dusk, or are discovering the story for the first time now—this is your calling card to join the celebration. Cadillac has never forgotten it, KISS hasn’t either, and now you’re invited to be part of its next chapter. Let’s rock this 50-year journey—because history is still being written, and it’s loud.

 

Who knows, maybe we will see you for the 60th anniversary! God Speed Cadillac and KISS Fans from around the world who have or will be coming to Cadillac to experience what happened in 1975.

 

If you want to stay in touch, sign up for emails in pop up, or send me an email at thad@thadzylka.com

 

 

 

 

 

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