Kiss Expo
Marriott Hotel
April 13, 2008
Overland Park, Kan.

by John Kindred
Staff Writer

Comments: : Kansas City’s first ever Kiss Expo went down on April 13 at the Marriott Hotel deep in the heart of Overland Park, a suburb of the Kansas City metro area. With little fanfare as the only local media coverage appeared in the weekly print publication the Pitch.

Hardrock Haven initially got the exclusive scoop from former Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick who, along with Dressed To Kill, a Kiss tribute band, were exclusive guests of the Expo.

Check out the audio interview here.

It must be assumed that this was the first step for the Expo as initially there were a limited amount of vendors selling merchandise and a few of fans with Kiss items on display in their booths. This didn’t deter the crowd from mingling with each other, checking out the merchandise and waiting to meet Kulick and take photos and have their items signed by him. Kulick took time talking to each fan that he met and seemed very personable. The line of fans stretched out across the ballroom floor. He seemed to enjoy seeing the younger fans as they took in the event.

Kulick took the stage and answered questions from the crowd about Kiss and his solo work. Kulick was smooth in answering questions and came across as an articulate communicator.

The band Dressed To Kill entered the ballroom decked out in full on nostalgic Kiss garb and preceded to draw attention from fans, especially the younger future Kiss Army kids. They graciously took photos with the fans and talked with them as well. They took to the stage at 4:50 pm and fired up the crowd with classic Kiss anthems we all know and love. Kulick joined the band on "Lick It Up" and "Rock N' Roll All Nite."

This felt like an honest and innocent way to introduce fans to the aura of the Kiss legacy. The event was a starting ground for Kansas City area Kiss fans to get out and support their favorite band with all the other Kiss maniacs in the city. Hopefully next year’s event will be bigger and better and be comparable to the New York and L.A. expos.

Photos provided by John Kindred