Bill Starkey is a native of Terre Haute, Indiana who became a KISS fan at the beginning of 1974 upon seeing their appearance on the In Concert TV show. In December of that same year his father took him to see the band for his first ever concert experience in Evansville, Indiana and his life was changed forever. Early in 1975 he founded the beginnings of the now legendary KISS Army along with his friend Jay Evans when they stormed a local radio station, WVTS with letters and a petition after it had refused to acknowledge requests to play KISS songs. The official KISS Army was born after the band heard about this and subsequently played a sold out show in Terre Haute in November. Both the band and their management quickly realised the potential that the term “KISS Army” could have and started using it for their fan club and it quickly became a term recognised by KISS fans worldwide.
«KISS came to us from the streets of New York City. It was inevitable for them to leave their home for bigger and better things that would eventually put them on top of the world. A world where they would perform for millions.
It was blind luck the night I was lucky enough to see KISS on TV in 1974 which led me to pursue their first album. The curiosity was there but nothing could prepare me for the experience of seeing them live! I would not let the fact that they were one of the two opening acts that night damper my enthusiasm. They hit the stage as larger-than-life painted-up super heroes. It was an attack on your senses with the dry ice, pyro and sirens at around 110 decibels. They were all over that small stage and they had a rapport with the fans that was missing from the other bands on this cold December Sunday evening. The thing that sealed the deal for me how different the songs from the first two records sounded live. This would be beginnings of what would later be KISS Alive! This was no struggling opening act. These were four cocky, confident young men who had a belief in what they were doing and no one would get in their way. Everyone was there to see THEM as far as they were concerned. I couldn’t wait to get back to Terre Haute to tell the others what I had seen.
Their fan base would unite from all over and call themselves the KISS Army. Together it would become a love affair that other band only wished they had. Decades later with no more cities to conquer or mountains to climb, it was only fitting that “the end” should finish where it began. Please enjoy this tribute to the final shows at Madison Square Garden».
Bill Starkey for KISS ARMY SPAIN.
