Kiss and Make-Up (43 page)

Paul, Peter, and I auditioned here for Don Ellis from Epic Records. We were still Wicked Lester at this point, but in our hearts we were already the band that would become KISS. This is an early version of our makeup.

I started spitting fire during “Firehouse.” I would come stalking from stage right holding a metallic sword on fire at the handle. My mouth was full of kerosene. At center stage I would pause and hold the sword still. Then I’d rush it to within six inches of my face and spray the kerosene at the flame. When the flame met the kerosene it would ignite. The fans saw what looked like a huge fireball shooting out of my mouth.

Throwing up blood seemed to incite fundamentalist Christians. They actually believed I was a Devil worshipper, or perhaps even the Devil. The combination of the makeup, my tongue, and the blood meant something to them. I always found it curious when they said, “You look just like the Devil.” When was the last time they had seen the Devil? How do they know what he looks like?

Beauty and the Beast: The media was fascinated by my relationship with Cher.

Me and Cher with Richard T. Bear, center. Bear played piano on my solo record. This was taken in Oxford, England, where I recorded.

During the
KISS Meets the Phantom
shoot, I went out into the crowd to greet my bosses. KISS has always had a peculiar notion in our heads. The KISS Army who come to see us are the bosses. They can always fire us. So it is up to us to make sure we never disappoint them. We just work here.

My mother and me during the Crazy Nights tour, 1987.