In the month of May of this year, Dan Bach will be celebrating 30 years of being a KISS fan, here's his experience in his own words:-

I happened to be watching the BBC’s Top of the Pops programme and up came the video for I was made for loving you, the stage show, the makeup and the parents – What the hell? sealed it for me – been a fan ever since.

People ask me constantly “Why Kiss, Why the makeup, Why this & Why that”? I’ve had to face jokes, sarcasm, comments and physical abuse over my liking of KISS. I defend them now as vigoursly as I did in the beginning. They are “my band” – the makeup, the costumes, the concert shows, the album sleeves artwork & packaging and the music all play their part in the jigsaw;  that is my fascination in this band.

My fave track is Hard Times from Dynasty, the first album I bought. That track, Hard Times and Rock n’ Roll Hell, from Creatures, helped me with growing up. Then hearing Crazy, Crazy Nights on national radio in the fall of 1987 it became the UK KISS Army anthem, a feeling of belonging. I would confuse people by requesting No, No. No on the jukebox flipside – that awesome guitar lick by Bruce certainly turned heads.

KISS’s music whether it be original lineup, or the unmasked era or the Reunion era – hits me where it hurts – in my r’n‘r  heart. I put a track on and straight away I join in with the words or try to emulate Crisscuola or Caravello or Singer drum patterns. KISS’s music is not technical neither is it simple – it’s good time music; it entertains and it uplifts.

Gene and Paul mention their influences were the British rock invasion of the mid/late 60’s. KISS have greatly influenced me both directly – their music and indirectly – travelling the world to see them.

In my 30 years as a KISS fan I’ve been fortunate in meeting most of the group’s members at conventions, at record store signings, press visits, outside the concert venues. My first KISS concert was at Stafford Bingley Hall, October 1983. I have encountered KISS members at their best and worst, showing they are human beings after all. This communication is to thank all members of KISS for their talent, musicianship, their hospitality and time in making my life a great deal better. It is with deep regret that we have lost two “members of the family” along the way – Paul Caravello and Mark Norton.

Thanks to Chiam Witz, Stanley Eisen, Peter Crisscuola, Paul Frehley, Anton Fig, Paul Caravello, Vinnie Cusano, Mark Norton, Bruce Kulick, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer.

I will be celebrating my fan anniversary with friends, fellow UK KISS fans in the company of the UK tribute band – Dressed to Kill at Bilston, West Midlands on May 15th -
www.therobintickets.co.uk/ticketshop/giglist.asp?month=5&year=2009#1614

I’ll be rocking out to tunes I loved in years gone by, still love and will love in years to come.

Who am I? I’m the UK KISS dwarf with the 8 face KISS tattoo on his back, I’m featured on Gene’s Family Jewels, I was invited onstage by Ace at his London solo show, Eric S and Bruce know me from the ESP and Union tours. I have met Peter at Chiller Theater 2006, and Paul Caravello’s family know my dedication to his memory.