Call it “Cadillac Rock City.” Townspeople and KISS fans plan to “Rock and Roll All Nite” and more this weekend to commemorate the legendary rock band’s surprise 1975 high school homecoming concert.
Images From a Historic Weekend: KISS in 1975 with the Cadillac High School Marching Band, outside the Cadillac Fire Department and elsewhere. (Photos Courtesy of Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau)
This weekend, call it “Cadillac Rock City.”
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The northern Michigan town of about 10,000 is going all out when it comes to everything KISS — lining streets with KISS banners, filling the sky with a KISS-themed drone show, packing a museum with a special KISS exhibit, rocking an event center with tribute band shows and otherwise hailing the classic rock and glam rock band to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a truly unusual and historic event.
On Oct. 9, 1975, hard rock’s KISS surprised the city of Cadillac with a concert in the gym at Cadillac High School during homecoming weekend. They even joined the marching band at one point at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The now legendary appearance came after the high school’s assistant football coach, Jim Neff, started playing KISS tunes during practices and games to lighten the mood, leading to seven straight wins and a conference championship. After he contacted the band to thank them, they responded with an unexpected trip to Cadillac, in full costumed KISS attire and unleashing a raucous performance.
Weekend Theme: One of the light pole banners in Cadillac. (Photo/Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau)
“Not only were they wild, bold and loud, their name invoked an old football credo: Keep It Simple Stupid,” Neff recalled in a prepared statement. “It was a match that was meant to be.”
The remarkable visit has been kept alive with regular events over the years, but this weekend’s 50th anniversary celebration tops them all, with the town adorned with light-pole banners and KISS-themed storefronts.
The “KISS50 Cadillac Reunion” taking place Thursday-Sunday (Oct. 9-12) features a KISS-themed drone show during Friday’s football game at Veterans Memorial Stadium where players will sport custom uniforms inspired by KISS’ “Destroyer” album (followed by a “Rock and Roll All Nite” sing-along), a KISS50 Cadillac Exhibit at Wexford Historical Society Museum, a self-guided KISS history tour, a KISS-themed 5K race on Saturday and screening of an hour-long “KISS50 Cadillac Rockumentary” film produced by the Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau.
There’s also a sold-out Saturday night Mr. Speed KISS tribute concert in full costume. That show will be repeated on Sunday at The Venue, 902 W. 13th St., with tickets still available.
Some of the city’s businesses have gone all in for the celebration with KISS-themed beer, coffee, ice cream and cookies. Get the full lineup, details and history online at kisscadillac.com.
Neff, who’s been in direct conversations with the band over the years, apprised the group of the weekend’s festivities, street banners and other tributes.
“Fantastic,” Gene Simmons told organizers. “You make us proud.”
Making Kiss Proud: Event poster. (Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau)
Lindsey Westdorp, the visitors bureau’s marketing manager, said Cadillac has “long embraced” its connection to the band, so they figured this weekend’s “final celebration for this milestone anniversary weekend would be a great nod to the legacy by drawing fans from all over the world.”
As for KISS’s reaction, band manager Doc McGhee said in a prepared statement that he’s “happy to see the bond forged that day (in 1975) continues to resonate in an extraordinary way.”
While the band was invited to the event, attendees at this weekend’s extravaganza will have to get their KISS fix via the acclaimed tribute band Mr. Speed, a Pittsburgh-based group that’s performed KISS classics for 30 years.
Rich Kosak, who plays Paul Stanley in the band, told organizers that the group “reveres your story, and we’re honored and humbled to have been asked to return for the party.”
Remaining tickets for the 5 p.m. Sunday tribute show at The Venue Event Center are $25 and available online here.
Historical KISS Display in Cadillac (Photo/Cadillac Area Visitors Bureau)
