I saved up $5 by taking out the garbage and washing the dishes because that’s how much I needed to include with my KISS Army application.
More than a month later, IT arrived.
When I ripped open the large envelope, I marveled over the membership card and the photos and the wall poster, and then … there it was right there in my very own hand … my very own “official” KISS ARMY iron-on badge of honor.
I had my plan all worked out. I’d get my mother to iron the patch to the back of my jean jacket so my friends, my teachers, all of my parent’s friends, and even the priests would see for themselves my brand-new level of cool.
What they saw, though, was the devil, or at the very least, the devil incarnate.
‘… Music is what humans do best.’
My mother refused to iron on the patch, my teachers believed I was “headed in the wrong direction,” and Father Schmidt sat me down to discuss the many ways which Satan makes temptation appear so inviting. I tried, over and over, to convince all the above that it was the words and the music and NOT the fiery symbolism that attracted me so much to KISS, but it appeared I was speaking in foreign tongues.
So, my dream was shattered. I was still a KISS Army member – with pride, mind you – but such fandom obviously was not acceptable to those governing my world at the time.
My big brother, John, felt the same way, but not about KISS. He heard me listening to disco one day, and he balked immediately and enthusiastically. He, too, preached to me about the “direction” in which “temptation” was leading me and he instructed me to join him on a Sunday evening to listen to “Get The LED Out” on the radio. The band was Led Zeppelin and the music was rock n’ roll, and my big brother insisted the genre was the key to a happy life.
Eventually, I learned what I believe to be the two most important lessons about music. One, music is what humans do best. And two, there is not one best band or one greatest genre of all. There is bad, good, and great music, but I have learned that all music has a purpose whether or not I like it.
During “The Rachel & Steve Show” this week, she and I will talk about music – her favorites and my favorites – and I know she’s done her research on what she believes to be my favorites. And yes, she and the listeners will hear about our fandom, how it dates us (me), but also about the roles music plays in our lives.
“The Rachel & Steve Show” – 3:30-5 p.m. on “Novotney Now” – River Talk 100.1 FM & 100.9 FM.
