KISS makes a stop at Spangdahlem before big show

Published July 1, 2008
By Senior Airman Lana Mills
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Who put the idea in our heads to rock and roll all night and party every day? When rock music comes to mind, usually the band KISS follows closely behind. They are regarded as one of the most influential rock and roll bands of all time.

In 2005, KISS was part of the "Rockin the Corps" tour that helped show military members just how much they supported the troops, so it was only fitting for them to fly into Spangdahlem Air Base on their way to a Kiss Alive/35 tour concert in Luxembourg, about an hour away.

The band came to the Brick House to sign autographs and show their appreciation to airmen and their families. The four man team was on the stage in front of their posters while big screen televisions played their music videos. The turnout was so big that staff had to cut the line off so KISS could get ready to depart for their show. They gave out about 100 free passes to the concert.

Airman 1st Class Jenifer Calhoun was the base photographer for the visit and said, "It was truly an honor to be able to photograph a piece of rock and roll history as well as getting to capture the Airmen and their families cutting loose and just having a good time." Airman Calhoun was also one of the lucky fans that got free tickets to the concert and said she "had a blast."

The band said they were very humbled by the praise they received from the service members. KISS said that some of the comments they received were thanking them for the music that helped them through hard times.

"You know it's a great feeling to know that people find some sort of strength, or a place to regenerate through us," Paul Stanley said, " [but] when somebody calls me a hero, it's over stating things. The people who are calling me hero are the heroes. When I see men and women in uniform who give everything to make everything this country believes in possible, those are the heroes. I'm just a musician."