Joliet superfan organizes Kiss expo
By Janet Lundquist jlundquist@stmedianetwork.com May 30, 2012 5:26PM
Jim Frangella (right), who is organizing the Kiss expo, is pictured with the band. | submitted photo
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Updated: July 3, 2012 12:37PM
JOLIET — There probably won’t be any fire-breathing or spitting of blood at the Holiday Inn on Larkin Avenue next month — then again, there could be.
The Kiss Chicago Superfan Expo will be held at the hotel, 411 S. Larkin Ave., from noon to 8 p.m. June 9, with everything a Kiss fan could want to see and hear, except for the actual band members.
The expo is organized by Joliet native Jim Frangella, a member of the band’s fan club, the Kiss Army.
“I’ve seen Kiss on almost every tour that they’ve been on through the Chicagoland area. I have met all of the (band) members, with and without makeup,” he said. “There’s no other band in the world like this because they have all the pyrotechnics, the makeup and the stage show and it’s just the most exciting band I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Frangella aims to bring that excitement to the expos he coordinates, including vendors selling Kiss memorabilia, tribute bands, raffles and contests.
The Joliet expo this year is set to include appearances by the Gene Simmons Axe Bass tour bus and its driver, Paul Heyland; Ace Frehley’s stunt double from 1978 television movie “Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park”; Joliet Kiss tribute band, “Psycho Circus”; Kissonline.com webmaster Keith Leroux; and 105.5 “The Kat” radio personality, “Freak.”
There will also be a raffle for a new Punisher 2 bass guitar signed by Gene Simmons.
Admission will cost $15 at the door, while children age 12 and younger get in free.
Tickets are available in advance. To buy tickets or for more information, contact Jim Frangella, chicagokissexpo@live.com, or visit http://web.me.com/kissexpo/Site_5/Chicago_Kiss_Expo.html.
