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“Rockin The `Nati” Cincy KISSFest 2006
By: Ted E. Brown II
All right Cincinnati…You wanted the best & You got the best! The hottest expo of the year! The 4th annual Cincinnati KISSFest & Hard Rock Expo was held this past Sunday at the Holiday Inn East in Eastgate, Ohio. The event was headlined by special guest guitarist/producer Bob Kulick, brother of ex-KISS Guitarist Bruce Kulick. Bob toured as Paul Stanley’s solo band guitarist in the 1980’s, as well as played on several KISS Albums including Paul Stanley, Killers, and studio cuts on Alive II, and producing WWE Triple H’s Theme Music “The Game” in conjunction with Motorhead, and World Wrestling Entertainment. Performing sets for the audience was Cincinnati’s own all female KISS tribute Black Diamond. Cleveland’s own KISS Tribute Mr. Speed. Band SSG performed with Bob Kulick, and young Angelo Coppela pounded out 45 minutes of raunchy rock drum lines to the amazement of the audience. Vendors attending spanned from Allen Mullins & Karen Olvey’s KISS Korner, (Karen & Allen are also the promoters of the Cincinnati KISSFest), KISS 4 Sale, KISS Online, and KISS Army Warehouse. Collette Shaw author of “Won’t Get Fooled Again” attended and sold her book and signed autographs all day for her fans, and many others. Also on hand were many representatives from Eastgate’s Dillard’s promoting KISS’s new Fragrance line KISS Him & KISS Her. Handing out personal samples, KISS Masks, Tattoos, stickers, and air fresheners.
The doors opened for VIP holders at 11:00am and the crowd slowly leaked into the ballroom. For the first hour VIP’s were treated to advance access to Bob Kulick, and buying rare KISS merchandise before the admittance of General admission. The day slowly ticked away as the crowd increased in size steadily. After a few hours of interacting with vendors and fans, the days started off with a few VIP drawings. This year KISS Online, and Paul Stanley provided 2 CD singles of “Live To Win” signed by Paul Stanley, as well as three promo posters for the upcoming KISS Concert on the big screen, check your local listings. Also given away to VIP holders were collectible pins recently released by the newly opened KISS Coffeehouse in Myrtle Beach. Once the first round of KISS drawings were over the attention of the crowd focused on the Pre-Screening of Paul Stanley’s new solo release “Live To Win”. Paul Stanley himself recorded intros to each song while presenting them to the fans for the first time. Paul was said to be extremely excited to have Cincinnati be the first to listen to his first solo venture since 1979’s KISS release “Paul Stanley”. The album is nothing less than Paul’s shinning moment as a Performer, and musician with titles like “Live To Win” and “Bulletproof” this album is one any KISS fan will treasure for many years. After the listening party concluded fans could record personal messages for Paul about the album and anything they might want to say to the Starchild. The show continues with young 10 year old Angelo Copolla performing a 45-minute set of KISS Tunes. The talent this child has is phenomenal, the crowd was amazed at that power and just all out rock that this young KISS army member could pound out on his drum kit. Playing along with taped songs, Angelo performed “Cold Gin”, “Strutter”, “Rock And Roll All Nite”, and one of his own tunes “Skateboard Maniac” among a few others. Angelo may only be 10 years old, but don’t let his age or size deter you, this young boy has been backstage to meet Zakk Wylde of “Black Label Society”, and has had Eric Singer personally give him tips. Angelo is an artist that will defiantly be around for many, many years. I urge everyone to check out his album “Pound For Pound” available at www.angelocopolla.com. After performing in Catman attire Angelo retired to his table and signed autographs, and took photos with the fans. Next up was Bob Kulick. Bob took the stage for a small Q. & A. session where he plugged his upcoming release “Butchering The Beatles”, a tribute album produced by Bob to be released on October 24th, the same day as Paul Stanley’s “Live To Win”. After answering a few questions from the fans Bob invited band SSG onstage to perform a Rocking set of both KISS & Non-KISS Tunes with Bob Kulick including “All American Man”, “God Of Thunder”, and The Beatles “Back In The U.S.S.R.” to promote his upcoming release “Butchering The Beatles”. I had the opportunity to sample Bob’s new album “Butchering The Beatles” the night before the expo, and with artists like Billy Gibbons, Mark Slaughter, Eric Singer and many, many more. With Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top performing “Revolution” this album is far from its title.
After Bob, and SSG Completed their set the stage was handed over to “Black Diamond”. All four lovely ladies were in perfect form, Leigh “The Goddess Of Thunder”, Shannon Stanley, Jendell Frehley, and Tonya Criss were all looking their best and sounding better than ever. Playing tunes like “Love Gun”, “Strutter”, “Detroit Rock City”, and more these girls you never want to miss a minute of their set. Black Diamond eventually relinquished the stage to Cleveland’s Mr. Speed, producing a new Bassist and Drummer since the last Cincinnati KISSFest. These guys are one of the best male tributes I have ever seen! The moves, look and sound makes you really feel like you’re at a KISS Concert. Mr. Speed played many rare KISS gems such as “I”, “Love Theme From KISS”, “Let Me Go, Rock & Roll”, and after a rocky start, “Rock Bottom”, “Raise Your Glasses”, and “God Gave Rock And Roll To You” after a warm heartfelt statement of appreciation for the armed services and of one Matt Maupin (Matt a resident of Glen Este, is M.I.A. in Iraq). God Bless You All!!
All in all the 4th Annual Cincinnati KISSFest went off without a hitch! Anyone attending can agree that Cincinnati is the “Rock-N-Roll Capital” of Ohio, and we showed it this past Sunday when the KISS Army united in Cincinnati to rock and roll all night and party every day…!!!
