KISS Fanatic Pays Tribute To His Favourite Band In His Basement Shrine

December 9, 2006

David Sanderson of the Winnipeg Free Press reports:

"My parents were always a little concerned about me," says Mark Sawatzky about his childhood.

"I mean, there's something definitely weird about a little kid walking around singing "Put your hand in my pocket and grab onto my rocket..."

Sawatzky was four years old in 1977, the year his older sister brought home a copy of "Alive II" by storied rock band KISS. Sharon, Lois and Bram never stood a chance. By the time Sawatzky reached grade school, the Elmwood youth was spending his entire allowance on records, T-shirts, bubble gum cards: anything he could turn up featuring the group's trademark image.

Tracking down stuff wasn't difficult. By 1978, officially sanctioned KISS merchandise had become a major source of revenue for the much-decorated outfit.

Products released under the watchful eye of then-manager Bill Aucoin included comic books, dolls, makeup kits and Halloween masks. In 1979 alone, worshippers scooped up an estimated $100 million worth of KISS belt buckles, Zippo lighters and (blush) condoms, among much, much more.

That same year, membership in the band's fan club, the KISS Army, topped 100,000. (On a related note, all 100,000-plus agreed that the band's 1978 TV movie — "KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park" — sucked.)

Fast forward almost 30 years. Sawatzky now has a wife, two cats and a basement that can only be described as a shrine to his still-favourite band. The room's blood-red walls are laden with shelves packed with action figures from every phase of the foursome's career.

Still-sealed puzzles, games and lunchboxes are in full supply. So, too, are dozens upon dozens of KISS records, CDs, 8-tracks and cassettes. In one corner, Sawatzky even has an unopened bottle of KISS This wine. In another rests a line of body fragrances: "KISS Him" for guys, "KISS Her" for gals. ("After the bath, the rockin' begins with this lightly scented splash" boast the labels on both.)

Read the rest of the article at www.winnipegfreepress.com.

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