Fifty years after KISS made their legendary visit during Cadillac High School’s homecoming weekend, it still feels like something out of a movie.
Following an undefeated season in 1973, Cadillac High’s football team lost the first two games of the 1974 season. To shake things up, assistant coach Jim Neff wanted to help change the mood of the locker room and decided to play KISS. The band’s music became somewhat of a ritual for the team, and they went on to win their next seven games and clinch their conference championship. Coach Neff reached out to KISS to thank them, and then, on Oct. 9, 1975, the black-and-silver, face-painted New York City band surprised the town with a visit.
At the time of their visit, KISS had just released their classic live album, Alive!, a month prior. That album would launch KISS to superstardom.
“It was really cool; the whole town got involved,” said Mary Porter Stubbs, who was a senior and cheer captain at Cadillac High School when KISS came to town. “Now that I look back, as an adult, I’m like, ‘How did they ever pull that off?’”
Very few people knew about KISS’s visit in the lead-up to homecoming, but one of those people who knew was Bill Barnett. At the time, Barnett was a junior and played wide receiver and defensive back for Cadillac’s football team.
“One day, the assistant coach was taping my ankles and … he said, ‘You won’t believe this, but KISS is coming to our homecoming. Don’t say anything.’ And I had to keep that secret for three days,” recalled Barnett, who went on to be mayor of Cadillac and has called the radio play-by-play for Cadillac football for over two decades.
Cadillac High’s Private KISS Concert
KISS took plenty of photos with the students and around Cadillac that fateful October day. However, the highlight of the visit came when KISS performed a private concert for the Cadillac High School students inside the school’s gymnasium.
“Their light-up sign wouldn’t fit through the doors, so the art department kids quickly made a KISS sign,” said Stubbs. “Our principal asked them not to sing the one song that has something about drinking. And no spitting blood. Gene [Simmons] didn’t and was very respectful of that … The next day, my ears were just ringing.”
“Every student there was in [KISS face] paint,” said Barnett. “ … In the gymnasium, it was about 80 degrees. They had to open the windows at the top [of the gymnasium] to let the heat out, because there were so many people. … The concert went fantastically … People could hear us out by the airport, which is five miles away. It was unbelievable.”
Stubbs added, “When I got to college and introduced myself when I moved into the dorm, [people] said, ‘Cadillac? Did KISS really come to your school homecoming?’ I said, ‘Yeah, they did!’ It is pretty amazing.”
Must-See Events During Cadillac’s KISS50 Celebration
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of KISS visiting Cadillac, the town is going all out with a series of events taking place Oct. 9-12. If you’re planning to head to Cadillac this weekend, here is a selection of event to consider checking out. (A complete list of events is available at KISScadillac.com.)
Cadillac Vikings Football Game and KISS50 Alumni Tailgate
If you’re attended Cadillac’s homecoming weekend, you obviously should attend the homecoming game on Friday, Oct. 10 at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Gates open at 5:45 pm, and kickoff is at 7 pm. For the game, the Cadillac Vikings will be wearing uniforms inspired by the cover of KISS’ 1976 album Destroyer. The Cadillac Marching Band will be performing a selection of KISS songs during halftime. Following the game, there will be a “Rock and Roll All Nite” sing-along, a community photo, and a KISS-themed drone show.
Before the game, make sure to stop by the KISS 50 Alumni Tailgate taking place from 4:15 pm to 5:45 pm. The tailgate is presented by WKLT. The brat dinner at the tailgate costs $9.75.
Run It Real Fast KISS50 5K
This special 5K race takes place on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 8:30 am at Cadillac City Park. Youth entry for the race costs $20, while adults cost $25. Participants are encouraged to dress in KISS attire, and KISS50 prizes and other swag will be available for those in the race. Complete details on this event can be found on Facebook.
KISS50 Cadillac Rockumentary Double Feature
On Saturday, Oct. 11 at 3 pm, the Cadillac Area Public Schools Performing Arts Auditorium with host the Cadillac Rockumentary Double Feature. The first film is a 25-minute short by Dale K. Myers, who was a young DJ for Cadillac’s WATT during the KISS visit. Myers’ film features never-before-seen concert footage and Myers’ own radio interviews with the band. The second film is of an hour-long film, which chronicles the now 50-year legacy of KISS’ visit to Cadillac. Tickets for this event are $10 and are available for purchase at hometownticketing.com.
Mr. Speed KISS Tribute Concert
The KISS tribute band Mr. Speed is playing two shows at The Venue located at 902 W. 13th St. While the Saturday night show is sold out, tickets are still available for the Sunday show on Oct. 12. Tickets cost $25 and are available for purchase at thevenueeccadillac.com.
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