It is not uncommon for avid music fans to have quite a collection of picks, set lists, and other bits and pieces form their favourite artists.
Guitar virtuoso and avid KISS fan John 5 grew up in Detroit and has managed to amass quite a collection of memorabilia from the Detroit rockers. So much so, that he is preparing to open a museum – the Knights In Satan Service Museum of KISS Memorabilia. Set to open in May, the museum will be in Los Angeles.
The first month, John 5 himself will be providing guided tours of the exhibit. Tickets are $500 each with tour dates sets for May 5-9, 12-16, 19-23, and 27-30.
This will mark the first time that the collection will be viewed by anyone.
John 5 relates how it all begin saying, “in June 19777, when I was seven years old, my mom took me to Sears where I saw a record stor display for KISS’ album ‘Love Gun’. I loved monsters and music and begged my mom for the record. Hearing it for the first time was a total epiphany for me. And any time a birthday or Christmas rolled around, I got a new KISS poster or merch. Collecting became a huge part of my life. It’s also helped me connect with the world as I’ve found pieces from Argentina to Chile, Taiwan to Japan.”
He adds, “with KISS not touring anymore, the only real place to see this collection and go down memory lane is to come to the museum in Los Angeles. Hang out with me, I’ll answer questions, we’ll talk and I’ll tell stories.”
The collection of memorabilia reaches over 2,500 pieces and features some one of a kind items including Gene Simmons’ 1976 Destroyer Boots.
John 5 turned his fan obsession of KISS into a musical career of his own; having played with Marilyn Manson, rob Zombie, Rob Halford, and his current band Mötley Crüe.