MY 50-YEAR JOURNEY WITH KISS
Stay up to date with my book and Cadillac 50 Year Anniversary!
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My Upcoming Book
UNMASKED:
MY 50-YEAR
JOURNEY WITH KISS
An insider’s scrapbook containing a half-century
of KISS stories and artifacts that go beyond
face painting and fireworks.
For more than fifty years, I have been an ardent fan of the rock band KISS. From their electrifying stage shows to their iconic makeup and costumes, KISS has been a constant source of inspiration and entertainment throughout my life. This book is a testament to my lifelong journey as a KISS fan, from my earliest memories of seeing them perform on television to my recent experiences attending their concerts and meet and greets. In each chapter, I will share my anecdotes, insights, and reflections on what it means to be a KISS fan and part of the KISS Army. I will also have comments from people who performed with me in our impersonations and have gone to shows with me over the years. You will also see a lot of Kiss memorabilia which in some cases one of a kind. See below on the book chapters and things you will discover in this book.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Chapter One: Who is KISS?
Chapter Two: The Birth of the Kiss Army: My Personal Stories as a Member for Fifty Years
Chapter Three: KISS Impersonations
Chapter Four: KISS Collectibles and Memorabilia
Chapter Five: KISS Concerts and Meet and Greets
Chapter Six: KISS Visit to Cadillac in 1975
Chapter Seven: The Key to City of Cadillac, Given to KISS: the Journey of the Key 1975 to 2015 (yes, I own the key)
Chapter Eight: Celebration of Forty Years Since the Visit of KISS in 1975 (I took the key back for the anniversary)
Chapter Nine: The Final Show of KISS End of the World Tour
Chapter Ten: Gene Simmons’s Meet and Greet and His Museum
Chapter Eleven: Fifty-Year Celebration and the Return of KISS and the Key to the City to Cadillac
Conclusion
Some things you will learn from reading this KISS book.
A legendary piece of KISS history vanished for decades—now, it’s making a triumphant return to Cadillac for a rock & roll 50th homecoming like no other.
Would you spend 15 years hunting down rock legends for their signatures? This is the untold story of a relentless mission to get signatures on a piece of KISS history.
Not all guitars are created equal—especially when you buy one straight from KISS. Discover the rarest Crazy Nights tour guitar that became a prized possession.
Ever dreamed of meeting Gene Simmons? I did more than that—I had dinner with him. Here’s what really happens when you break bread with a rock icon.
Putting on the makeup is one thing—becoming KISS is another. Here’s what I learned from stepping into their legendary boots and performing.
A simple Facebook post led me to the artist who painted Paul Stanley’s iconic flag guitar in 1987. Social media isn’t just for likes—it’s for rock history.
Owning a piece of KISS’s wardrobe isn’t just about collecting—it’s about wearing history. Here’s how I scored multiple stage-worn leotards from the band.
How did I end up on a KISS concert DVD in Las Vegas? Let’s just say, even rock & roll can’t stop a dedicated email check.
I showed up at Will Call in Salt Lake City and thought I had tickets; they said no tickets. I walked away with a front-row seat. Here’s how the ultimate KISS concert miracle happened.
From the first KISS concert in 1978 to the last in 2023, with the same concert buddy by my side. A full-circle rock & roll moment, 45 years in the making.
A moment frozen in time—Gene Simmons holding the Key to the City of Cadillac in 1975. This rare photo tells a story of music, legacy, and hometown pride.
KISS’s legendary trip to Cadillac changed rock history. In 2025, we’re celebrating 50 years of that epic moment—here’s what’s in store.
From seeing KISS on TV for the first time to owning a KISS Army member folder similar to the one Gene Simmons’ had—my 50-year journey as a die-hard fan is one for the ages.
Stealing my mom and sister’s winter boots to create my own KISS platform shoes in 1977—sometimes, rock & roll requires a little DIY ingenuity.
KISS closed their final concert with Do You Love Me—but the city name they sang made history. Here’s why that moment sent chills down every fan’s spine.
And so much more
To stay informed of my upcoming book, Cadillac 50th, please provide your Name, email, also tell me about your memorable Kiss experience(s) in the information field below.
I am having email form issues, send me an email at thad@thadzylka.com and I will make sure I keep you posted on my book and Cadillac 50th Anniversary. Or go to the stay in touch form above to leave your information.